Tower of London Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Tower of London Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 19, 2019

As the lead offering on “The Universal Horror Collection: Volume 3,” 1939’s “Tower of London” has the distinction of not being a horror film. Murders are common in this retelling of Richard, Duke of Gloucester’s (Basil Rathbone) merciless rise to power, working with Mord (the great Boris Karloff), his enforcer, to clear the way to royal glory. It’s a nightmarish scenario, but director Rowland V. Lee doesn’t push the material into a fright zone, more interested in Shakespearian lunges for power and control as Richard works his way through rivals to achieve his lust for the crown.

Perhaps for some, the particulars of English history are quite scary, as “Tower of London” tries to remain invested in power plays and dangerous encounters, attempting to pass itself as a history lesson before the meatiness of Richard III’s reign. “Tower of London” doesn’t have a tremendous amount of genre appeal, but there’s dramatic urgency courtesy of the gifted cast, who provide pure passion for the material, creating compelling characters who are at their best when hip-deep in wicked ways. Also helping the cause is the feature’s sense of scale, endeavoring to come across a grander picture as it invests in big sets and ornate costumes, achieving a period feel with moments of swordplay and battles.

Tower of London Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as a "New 2K scan of a fine grain print," "Tower of London" receives a little extra attention for its Blu-ray debut. The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation is on the soft side, but remains an inviting viewing experience, doing well with general detail, including period costuming and wigs. Facial particulars sustain textures, along with set visits, offering a chance to appreciate the endeavor's many technical achievements. Delineation is satisfactory, offering communicative blacks. Grain is respectfully managed. Source is in decent condition, with mild scratches and a few jumpy frames detected throughout.

Tower of London Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix leads with dialogue exchanges, which preserve dramatic intent and combative interplay. Voices are as distinct as possible for the aged source, which battles hiss during the listening event. Scoring is louder, working to support the period majesty of the production, and while not precise, instrumentation secures orchestral flow. Sound effects are acceptable, dealing with clanging swords and battle sequences.

Tower of London Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Steve Haberman.

• Image Gallery (3:06) collects publicity shots, film stills, poster art, and lobby cards.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Tower of London Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Tower of London" is an accomplished film, and it's always a treat to see Karloff make something out of potentially one-note part, while Rathbone sinks his teeth into the possibilities of Richard's manipulations and frustrations. The quality of the feature isn't in question, just its inclusion in a set devoted to the spooky wonders of Universal horror.