Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

The World in His Arms Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see action-adventure at sea.

An entertaining adventure at sea, The World in His Arms is a must-see classic for genre enthusiasts looking for a cool cinematic delight. Based on the novel by Rex Beach (The Barrier, Flowing Gold), the film has spectacle and fun in equal measure. Produced by Aaron Rosenberg (Bend of the River, Winchester '73) in stunning Technicolor, there is something special about The World in His Arms: you don't want to miss it.

Sea captain Jonathan Clark (Gregory Peck) traverses the wild blue seas while poaching seals from the Russian Alaska ocean. On land, he meets the drop-dead-gorgeous Countess Marina Selanova (Ann Blyth), who is trying to break-off her engagement to the wicked Russian prince Semyon (Carl Esmond). Sparks begin to fly between Clark and Marina right away. Love is in the air.

Meanwhile, Clark also goes up against his rival at sea, Portugee (Anthony Quinn) and a race across the sea will determine the winner. The stakes are set high. Who emerges victorious and will Clark be able to win the heart of Countess Marina Selanova? The action, romance, and suspense will have viewers glued to their seats.

Run (don't walk!) to purchase this top-notch Blu-ray.

One of the most surprising things about The World in His Arms is how impressive the performances are from the ensemble cast. Gregory Peck is stoic and charming in the lead role. There is a sense of cool to the character and he brings forth a memorable performance with ease. Ann Blyth is gorgeous but so-much-more: her performance has charm, wit, and grace. She is well matched to Peck and she elevates the material. Anthony Quinn is also terrific in his supporting part as the nemesis at sea: his fine acting chops are certainly well demonstrated (and he has a ton of fun with his lines). The cast do a terrific job together. There's simply something magical about the cast. Each actor was perfect for their respective role.

There are other areas in which the production excelled equally as well: the film has a top-notch score composed by Frank Skinner (The House of the Seven Gables, Arabian Nights). It livens up the sense of excitement and adventure. The art direction by Alexander Golitzen (Foreign Correspondent, Touch of Evil) and Bernard Herzbrun (Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Fighting O'Flynn) also adds a nice sense of excitement and creativity behind-the-scenes. Then there's the costumes: designed by Bill Thomas (Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Logan's Run), the attire worn by the cast is spot-on for the characters (and the gorgeous gowns designed for Ann Blyth make a huge impression). All set against the backdrop of the stunning Technicolor cinematography by Russell Metty (Touch of Evil, Spartacus).

Directed by Raoul Walsh (The Roaring Twenties, White Heat), The World in His Arms is a terrific showcase for how immensely talented the filmmaker is. The action and adventure never lets up. I thoroughly enjoyed the filmmaking and its energy. The film never drags: nor does the screenplay by Borden Chase (Red River, Under Pressure). The characters feel genuine and compelling. This film was expertly edited by Frank Gross (Against All Flags, All That Heaven Allows) and he allows for the pace to excel story-wise while still giving ample room for the action scenes to make a strong impression. A masterful genre production, Walsh gives it his all in the directors chair and brings this journey to a big, fun, and glamorous conclusion. The World in His Arms is dynamite filmmaking and one that audiences will enjoy from start to finish. Don't overlook this fun, charming, and action-packed gem.

The World in His Arms Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, The World in His Arms features a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1 full frame. This is a amazing presentation that will leave fans feeling enormously satisfied. Truly a top-notch print. The scan looks extremely crisp throughout and retains a natural layer of fine film grain. The beautiful visuals are so pleasing to watch on this high quality print. Colors seem robust and refined at the same time. There were no issues to report with egregious print issues such as dirt, debris, scratches, and other video detriments. Another exceptional presentation of a Universal feature-film by Kino Lorber.

The World in His Arms Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release features a DTS HD Master Audio mono soundtrack. The lossless, high resolution audio track is quite sufficient and manages to fit the bill. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. Throughout the sound presentation, I found the audio track to be satisfactory and immersive. There were a few brief moments where the audio sounded just a tad thin, but for the most part this is a top-notch audio track. Viewers will not be left disappointed.

Optional English subtitles are provided.

The World in His Arms Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio commentary by film critic Nick Pinkerton

The World In His Arms Theatrical Trailer (SD, 1:49)

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: Duel in the Sun (SD, 2:16), The Paradine Case (SD, 1:44), Yellow Sky (SD, 1:40), Night People (HD, 2:49), Moby Dick (HD, 3:14), The Big Country (SD, 2:56), Mirage (SD, 2:12), Thunder on the Hill (SD, 2:06), and Against All Flags (SD, 2:25).

The World in His Arms Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Who doesn't love a fun adventure story? The World in His Arms is exactly that. The filmmaking is truly top-notch, the performances are exquisite, and the story is a fun ride to go on. There is something magical about classic genre films and director Raoul Walsh crafted a film that was thrilling and charming. The journey is well worth taking. The Blu-ray release features a stunning video-audio presentation and comes highly recommended.