Walk East on Beacon! Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Walk East on Beacon! Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 28, 2021

Alfred L. Werker's "Walk East on Beacon!" (1952) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new audio commentary by Frank Krutnik; vintage promotional materials for the film; archival documentaries; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

The target

A lengthy article written by J. Edgar Hoover and published in Reader’s Digest was supposedly what inspired Alfred L. Werker to direct Walk East on Beacon!. This is the official story of how this film came to exist, but I think that it is only partially true. Indeed, there is so much procedural talk and scripted statements in the film that it would be incredibly naïve to believe that Hoover did not shape it out to its liking. In fact, after viewing it twice, I am quite certain that the film was meant to deliver a message to the type of people the FBI agents are after in it. It was a simple message, too: “You will get caught”.

The film is set in the city of Boston where FBI agents have identified a large communist cell after following a Polish man who has led a double life. The same man then leads them to Soviet spy Alexi Laschenkov (Karel Stepanek), who has just entered the country to oversee the execution of a critical operation that can rearrange the balance of powers in Europe. After establishing contact with the leaders of the cell and confirming their loyalty, Laschenkov greenlights the final phase of the operation -- forcing Professor Albert Kafer (Finlay Currie) to surrender his work on an advanced defense system. Soon after, a messenger informs Professor Kafer that in exchange for his cooperation Laschenkov and his overseas friends will make it possible for his son to leave East Germany and return home to America. Despite wanting to save his son, however, Professor Kafer is not ready to become a traitor.

The bulk of Walk East on Beacon! looks like a documentary of the kind that the government would sponsor and then screen to promote a particular narrative. This isn’t to imply that it is a shameless propaganda piece, but it is most definitely not the ‘different’ film noir that some vintage promotional materials describe either. In other words, the political drama that is at the heart of its narrative is just a ruse that makes it possible to legitimize its message. (What would have been the alternative? The BFI and Mosfilm’s archives are full of preachy propaganda films from the same period that do the exact same type of messaging without the drama).

The most interesting material is the one that outlines precisely how an underground communist cell would mobilize and then carry out an important mission. This is what gives away Hoover’s direct involvement with the film because there is very particular clarity in it. On the other hand, the same material does not give up enough information that could be used by foreign actors to study and prevent potential failures. It simply underscores the ‘fact’ that the FBI has the right people and resources to defend the nation.

Something else that is very much worth pointing out is that the film’s depiction of the fate of the communist defector is surprisingly accurate. Indeed, individuals that attempted to walk away from the Party were in fact blackmailed like Professor Kafer, or promptly terminated by fellow comrades. They were never given an option to quietly disappear and then rebuilt their lives. This was especially true during the exact period that the film emerged from. (Walk East on Beacon! was completed in 1952. Just four years later, in 1956, Soviet tanks entered Budapest and crushed the Hungarian Uprising. Prior to the bloodbath, various communist defectors that had become members of resistance cells were exposed and terminated by loyal communist spies that had once worked with them).

Walk East on Beacon! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Walk East on Beacon! arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

Like all the other films in the Columbia Noir collection, Walk East on Beacon! was remastered by the folks at Sony Pictures a while ago, and this release is sourced from the pre-existing master. The film looks good in high-definition. Detail and clarity range from good to very good, depth is usually very pleasing, and density levels are strong. The grayscale is convincing as well, though as you can tell from the screencaptures we have provided with out review certain areas reveal minor fluctuations in the black levels. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Grain can appear a tad loose at times, but it remains naturally exposed. Image stability is very good. A few small blemishes can be spotted, but there are no large distracting debris, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Walk East on Beacon! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not encounter any age-related imperfections or technical anomalies to report in our review. The dialog is clear, stable, and very easy to follow. Balance is very good too, especially in the upper register where older films usually reveal weaknesses/deterioration. Dynamic intensity is good, but there are plenty of fluctuations. This is isn't surprising given the documentary appearance of some of the most important footage.

Walk East on Beacon! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - in this new audio commentary, author and teacher Frank Krutnik discusses the context that inspired Walk East on Beacon!, the film's stylistic identity, the events that are depicted in it, the era in which the film emerged, and the evolution of film noir.

• Image Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional materials for Walk East on Beacon!.

• The March of Time: 'G-Men Combat Saboteurs' (1941) - a very interesting early documentary film about the early days of the FBI and its purpose. In English, with optional English subtitles. (21 min).

• The March of Time: 'G-Men at War' (1942) - another very interesting early documentary film explaining why the FBI was formed and how it operates. In English, with optional English subtitles. (20 min).

• Commotion on the Ocean (1956) - a short film featuring the three stooges. Directed and produced by Jules White. Fully remastered. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (17 min).

• Book - a limited edition exclusive 120-page book with new essays by Beth Ann Gallagher, Bob Herzberg, Sophie Monks Kaufman, Omar Ahmed, Jen Johans, and Monica Castillo, archival articles and interviews, and film credits.

Walk East on Beacon! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It is quite a stretch to describe Walk East on Beacon! as film noir. It has a documentary identity and it is pretty easy to guess that it was completed with J. Edgar Hoover's approval. I think that it is an interesting time capsule because its depiction of certain procedures is rather surprisingly accurate. This release is sourced from an older but good remaster that was prepared by Sony Pictures. Also, it features a very informative new audio commentary by Frank Krutnik as well as two excellent vintage documentaries about the early days of the FBI. The release is included in Indicator/Powerhouse Films' Columbia Noir #4 box set. RECOMMENDED.