White Tiger Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		2.5

White Tiger Blu-ray Movie Review

A decent silent production with a strong performance by Priscilla Dean.

White Tiger is a silent-era production (accompanying Drifting in a Kino Lorber double feature). The production features performances by Priscilla Dean, Raymond Griffith, and Wallace Beery. A crime saga from the silent-era, White Tiger is worth a watch (even if it is inconsistent at times).

Sylvia Donovan (Priscilla Dean), Roy Donovan (Raymond Griffith), and Hawkes (Wallace Beery) comprise a trio of master criminals who work together to steal valuable jewels from the insanely wealthy. The method of thievery? Approaching the upper-class with a curious and alluring pitch: playing a game of chess against a automatized robot chess-player (that can defeat any opponent).

However, the robot chess player is none other than one of the master criminals – in disguise! As Hawkes plays up the crime drama as a made-up Count Donelli in one of the zaniest of the film's scenarios (with Sylvia as his daughter), drama ensues in White Tiger.

"A bad transfer? Do tell."

The best performance in White Tiger is from Priscilla Dean. The role was a perfect fit for the actress. Dean adds sensationalism and excitement to the role and performs well alongside the co-stars of the film.

Written and directed by Todd Browning (Outside the Law, Freaks), White Tiger has a great concept – but it doesn't always work. The film is worth a watch, but it struggles with its pacing and has some inconsistent editing by Errol Taggart (The Blackbird). Fans of silent cinema will find it has more of note, but it doesn't add up to a perfect motion-picture. Consider it a rental.

White Tiger Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, White Tiger is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The release has an awful transfer which doesn't capably present the black-and-white cinematography of William Fildew (The Day of Faith, Under Two Flags). The scan is underwhelming and has an abundance of print wear – the presentation is in much worse condition than Drifting. A disappointment.

White Tiger Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo. The lossless audio track is crisp, clear, and engaging. The score recording is generally superb and manages to bring some extra vitality. The presentation quality was just a notch below Drifting - yet it still sounds good.

Silent with English intertitles.

White Tiger Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Bret Wood

The Exquisite Thief (HD, 10:50) presents the only surviving reel from the 1919 silent-era feature-film, which was an early collaboration between actress Priscilla Dean and director Todd Browning.

White Tiger Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

White Tiger is a decent watch – not a classic by any means (but worth checking out). The film has a solid performance by Priscilla Dean. The transfer is downright laughable at times, though. Rent It.