Topaz 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Topaz 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker November 17, 2023

Universal has released Alfred Hitchcock's 'Topaz' (1969) to the UHD format. It is available individually (this release) or as part of a five-film boxed set along with 'The Man Who Knew Too Much', 'Rope', 'Torn Curtain', and 'Frenzy'. 2160p/HDR video and DTS HD Master Audio is available for this and all releases in the set, and the legacy special features are brought forward onto these new discs.

For a review of the film, please refer to the previous release of 'Topaz'.

Topaz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The much-derided Topaz may not be the strongest film in this set, or even in Hitchcock's entire body of work for that matter, but it is graced with one of the best transfers in the set. Colors are vibrant and saturated, blacks are sufficiently deep, and skin tones look natural and healthy. Depth is likewise satisfying. Detail levels are consistently very high, with it being very easy to pick out facial particulars and environmental specifics - especially in busy interior locations like the porcelain shop and production facility and the jam-packed shop that is the setting for the family's defection attempt. While the studio-bound scenes look good, it's the exterior location shots that really shine, with the hustle and bustle of the street scenes looking spectacular. Grain, which is present, looks natural and filmic. Like Torn Curtain which also sported a very strong Blu-ray presentation, the improvements here over Topaz's Blu-ray counterpart are more subtle than significant. The overall image is incrementally improved, but it's not dramatic. Fans of the film will no doubt be pleased.

Please note that all screenshots are taken from the 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Topaz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Topaz's two-channel DTS-HD Audio mono track does a very fine job bringing this spy caper to life. Very dialogue-heavy but punctuated with brief bursts of violence, the track isn't called upon to create an intense and immersive sonic environment. It renders the actors' performances with great clarity and much of it is centrally focused. Sound effects may not be up to today's standards but sound appropriate for their time and are nonetheless convincing. When the score is given its time in the spotlight, the music is crisp and dynamic but never drowns out the dialogue. As is often the case with Hitchcock's movies, there are some protracted sequences that play out largely in complete or near silence, and of course, those sound terrific as well. There weren't any audio issues or defects detected throughout the film's runtime.

Topaz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All of the previous special features are brought forward to the 4K disc and are as follows:

Topaz An Apppreciation (SD, 29 minutes)

Alternate Endings (SD, 6 minutes)

Storyboards: The Mendozas (SD, 12 minutes)

Production Photographs (SD, 6 minutes)

Theatrical Trailer (SD, 3 minutes)

For a detailed look at the special features, please refer to the previous release of 'Topaz'.

Topaz 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Topaz has an unfortunate reputation among Hitchcock films. Pacing is certainly an issue here in spots, but for me, the primary issue of the film lies at the feet of the film's lead, Fredrick Stafford as Andre Devereaux. He's never wholly convincing in his role as a French agent, nor does he have the charisma to hold our attention in the manner of the silver screen's best spies of the era. He's also not a particularly likable character. Because he lacks an inherent charm, when he does questionable things, and he does quite a few, we are pushed ever further away from him and begin questioning why others would be drawn to him. With a different casting decision here and twenty minutes cut from its runtime Topaz could have been a real gem. That said, technical merits are strong and the special features make an interesting watch for those considering a purchase. Recommended for hardcore Hitchcock fans only.