- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,425
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Olive releases are "like a box of chocolates." You never know what you're going to get.
Abraham Polonsky's 1949 noir Force of Evil, his first directorial effort, as writing the screenplay for Robert Rossen's Body and Soul (also available from Olive), is a film to be taken seriously.
Low budget, yet beautifully photographed in black & white by George Barnes, and with a wonderful cast, this is one of those films that stands the test of time. With location work in Manhattan, and closing scenes directly beneath the supports of the George Washington Bridge, using the famous lighthouse in the background, this is essential noir.
Olive's Blu-ray is a quality rendering of the film, with superb detail, blacks, and shadow detail. My only gripe is the window-boxed main title. Well, not exactly. I also don't believe we need to sit through the cute little animated Olive logo twice, once preceding the main screen, and again as a presentation credit. Once would do nicely.
Image - 4
Audio - 3.5
Recommended.
RAH
Abraham Polonsky's 1949 noir Force of Evil, his first directorial effort, as writing the screenplay for Robert Rossen's Body and Soul (also available from Olive), is a film to be taken seriously.
Low budget, yet beautifully photographed in black & white by George Barnes, and with a wonderful cast, this is one of those films that stands the test of time. With location work in Manhattan, and closing scenes directly beneath the supports of the George Washington Bridge, using the famous lighthouse in the background, this is essential noir.
Olive's Blu-ray is a quality rendering of the film, with superb detail, blacks, and shadow detail. My only gripe is the window-boxed main title. Well, not exactly. I also don't believe we need to sit through the cute little animated Olive logo twice, once preceding the main screen, and again as a presentation credit. Once would do nicely.
Image - 4
Audio - 3.5
Recommended.
RAH