Press Release Criterion Press Release: Mildred Pierce (1945) (4k UHD Combo) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

Melodrama casts noirish shadows in this portrait of maternal sacrifice from Hollywood master Michael Curtiz. Joan Crawford’s iconic performance as Mildred, a single mother hell-bent on freeing her children from the stigma of economic hardship, solidified Crawford’s career comeback and gave the actor her only Oscar. But as Mildred pulls herself up by her bootstraps, first as an unflappable waitress and eventually as the well-heeled owner of a successful restaurant chain, the ingratitude of her materialistic firstborn (a diabolical Ann Blyth) becomes a venomous serpent’s tooth, setting in motion an endless cycle of desperate overtures and heartless recriminations. Recasting James M. Cain’s rich psychological novel as a murder mystery, this bitter cocktail of blind parental love and all-American ambition is both unremittingly hard-boiled and sumptuously emotional.

FILM INFO​

• United States
• 1945
• 111 minutes
• Black & White
• 1.37:1
• English
• Spine #860
  
  

  4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

  • 4K digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
  • One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
  • Conversation with critics Molly Haskell and Robert Polito
  • Excerpt from a 1970 episode of The David Frost Show featuring actor Joan Crawford
  • Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star, a 2002 feature-length documentary
  • Q&A with actor Ann Blyth from 2006, presented by filmmaker Marc Huestis and conducted by film historian Eddie Muller
  • Segment from a 1969 episode of the Today show featuring Mildred Pierce novelist James M. Cain
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: An essay by critic Imogen Sara Smith
    
    Cover by Sean Phillips
    
    March 7, 2023

 

[Ronald Epstein]

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See on Amazon

 

[RobertMG]

This space reserved for Amazon preorder link

WOW CLASSIC!

 

[Konstantinos]

Have seen this film once, and I don't remember anything. I wonder if it is worth a "blind" buy!
Other than that, nothing for me in this month's slate.

 

[JoeDoakes]

I in

Have seen this film once, and I don't remember anything. I wonder if it is worth a "blind" buy!
Other than that, nothing for me in this month's slate.

Without a doubt. I don’t even like Joan Crawford but this is a powerhouse

 

[JimMiller]

Well, of course since I bought it recently, it would come out in 4K now. I love the film but I don't know how much better it can look in 4K.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Have seen this film once, and I don't remember anything. I wonder if it is worth a "blind" buy!
Other than that, nothing for me in this month's slate.

It's a great film, IMO. I already have the Criterion BD release, though, so I'll probably pass on the UHD.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Well, of course since I bought it recently, it would come out in 4K now. I love the film but I don't know how much better it can look in 4K.

If it equals "Casablanca" then it's worth it to me. With that said, it's a 4K title I can wait for B&N or Criterion sales.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I wonder if iTunes will upgrade my HD digital to 4K like they did with "Citizen Kane" which was another Warner title that Criterion released on 4K/UHD?

 

[RobertMG]

I in

Without a doubt. I don’t even like Joan Crawford but this is a powerhouse

Gave her a re-career -----thats how good it was and Curtiz knocked it out of the park!

 

[Capt D McMars]

WOW CLASSIC!

B, was Ann Blyth in this one?

 

[RobertMG]

B, was Ann Blyth in this one?

yes

 

[Robin9]

B, was Ann Blyth in this one?

You'd better believe it! The character she plays is not as nasty as she is the source novel, but she's something to see and something to remember!

 

[JoeDoakes]

Also, anyone who doesn't know, after watching the great film, check out Carol Burnett's Mildred Fierce. Simply one of the best parody sketches ever.

 

[Douglas Bailey]

Well, of course since I bought it recently, it would come out in 4K now. I love the film but I don't know how much better it can look in 4K.

I'm in the same boat on both points. Will wait for reviews before putting this on my Criterion-4K-upgrade list.

 

[RobertMG]

Gave her a re-career -----thats how good it was and Curtiz knocked it out of the park!

Curtiz directed so many great films - Eve Arden in this is great too her usual hard as nails but heart of gold fits nicely!

 

[battlebeast]

Why wasn’t that parody used as a bonus feature?! That’s hilarious!

 

[jayembee]

Why wasn’t that parody used as a bonus feature?! That’s hilarious!

They might not have been able to get the rights.

 

[Matt Hough]

Why wasn’t that parody used as a bonus feature?! That’s hilarious!

Carol said in an interview that Joan Crawford actually contacted her when this aired to congratulate them on a job well done. Some time later when the show did a parody of Torch Song, Joan was allegedly not pleased at all.

 

[B-ROLL]

It's been awhile but if remember correct Joan did it all for Velveeta

!