At the start of the 1940’s, Billy Wilder began a transition from straight up screenwriter to writer and director following displeasure of the way director Mitchell Leisen handled his and Charles Brackett’s script for Hold Back the Dawn (1941). Following his debut with The Major and the Minor (1942), Wilder attracted more attention and praise for the WWII thriller Five Graves to Cairo (1943), which helped to further cement his status as a reliable director; however, it was Double Indemnity that would take his career to the next level. Universal has released the movie several times over the years on DVD and Blu-ray, but Criterion has licensed the film for inclusion in its expansive collection for its UHD Blu-ray debut.
The Production: 5/5
When insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) walks into the house of Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), he unknowingly becomes involved in not only romance, but a murderous plot to kill Phyllis’ husband. The plot comes together smoothly through a series of circumstances working their way, not to mention the double indemnity policy that Walter wrote for the soon to be murdered man. However, Walter’s colleague Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) begins to get suspicious about the circumstances of the murder – thanks to his “little man” – and Walter and Phyllis soon find their connection to each other coming under increasing stress…
While a few films earlier in the 1940’s had a few of the elements of film noir mixed in, Double Indemnity is often cited as the film that had all of the elements in place and would set the tone for other films to follow. Adapting James M. Cain’s novel with fellow noir legend Raymond Chandler, Billy Wilder milks the mystery and suspense to the highest degree here; the script also delivers some of the most pitch perfect hard-boiled dialogue in any noir movie ever made. Assisting Wilder here are an exceptional team of talent behind the camera to bring the story to life: cinematographer John F. Seitz, Paramount’s longtime chief production designer Hans Dreier, the legendary costume designer Edith Head, supervising editor Doane Harrison and composer Miklós Rózsa, all of whom helped to define the noir style here. Best of all, the cast is working at the top of their game here, delivering terrific performances all across the board. Nearly 80 years later, Double Indemnity is still one of the greatest – if not the greatest of them all – film noirs ever made by Hollywood, one which hasn’t lost one single inch of its power to enthrall.
Marking a notable change in pace from his typical “good guy” roles, Fred MacMurray delivers his best performance as Walter Neff; he would later achieve success in television with My Three Sons and would return to his comedy roots with Disney in films like The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) and The Shaggy Dog (1959). Sporting a blonde wig to further enhance her character’s cheap nature, Barbara Stanwyck delivers one of her most quintessential performances – and a textbook femme fatale – as Phyllis; she truly deserved her Oscar nomination for Best Actress (and probably should have won it). As the cerebral Barton Keyes, Edward G. Robinson gives a terrific performance that’s among his best; unfortunately, he was passed over come Oscar time for a nod for Best Supporting Actor (a sin of omission in this writer’s opinion). Rounding out the cast here are Tom Powers as Phyllis’ ill-fated husband, Jean Heather as Mr. Dietrichson’s daughter Lola, Richard Gaines as Neff and Keyes’ boss Mr. Norton, Byron Barr as Lola’s boyfriend Nino, Porter Hall as the witness who might derail Walter and Phyllis’ plans, John Philliber as the insurance office’s elevator operator and Fortunio Bonanova as the truck driver whose phony claim can’t get past Keyes’ “little man”; notable uncredited appearances include Bess Flowers – the “Queen of the Extras” – as Mr. Norton’s secretary, Douglas Spencer as Neff’s co-worker Lou Schwartz, Betty Farrington as the Dietrichson’s maid, Sam McDaniel as the garage attendant Charlie and Raymond Chandler as the man reading a magazine outside of Keyes’ office.
Video: 5/5
3D Rating: NA
The film is presented in its original 1:37:1 aspect ratio, taken from a brand new 4K digital restoration for this release; on the UHD Blu-ray, the film is presented in Dolby Vision HDR, while the Blu-ray accompanying this release presents the movie in HD SDR. Gray scale and fine details are faithfully represented while the overall image has a film like appearance without any DNR or artificial film grain applied; there’s minimal to no instances of issues like scratches, tears, dirt, or vertical lines present. Overall, this release is likely the best the movie will ever look on home video and surpasses all previous releases.
Audio: 5/5
The film’s original mono soundtrack is presented on a PCM track for this release. Dialogue, sound mix and Miklós Rózsa’s music score are all given faithful presentations with minimal to no instances of crackling, flutter, popping, distortion or hissing present. This release is likely the best the movie will ever sound on home video, also surpassing all previous home video releases.
Special Features: 4.5/5
On both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray disc 1
Commentary by film critic Richard Schickel – Originally recorded in 2006, Schickel talks about the film’s importance in the film noir genre among the other basic facts.
Blu-ray Disc 1
Words, Words, Words (17:19) – Film scholar Noah Isenberg looks at Billy Wilder’s time as a newspaper reporter prior to entering the film industry in this new interview.
Eddie Muller & Imogen Sara Smith on Double Indemnity (31:23) – The two film historians talk about why the movie is considered the quintessential film noir as well as being the genre’s genesis point in this newly filmed conversation.
Shadows of Suspense (37:57) – This 2006 featurette looks at how the movie was made; featuring interviews with Muller, James Ellroy, William Friedkin, Alain Silver and Dr. Drew Casper, just to name a few.
Screen Guild Theater Adaptation of Double Indemnity from 1945 (29:21) – Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck reprise their roles in this radio adaptation, with Walter Abel filling in for Edward G. Robinson in the role of Barton Keyes.
Lux Radio Theater Adaptation of Double Indemnity from 1950 (56:20) – MacMurray and Stanwyck again reprise their famed roles in this radio adaptation.
Theatrical Trailer (2:14)
Blu-ray Disc 2
Billy, How Did You Do It? (3:03:19) – Presented in three parts, this 1992 film by Volker Schlöndorff and Gisela Grischow looks at the career of Billy Wilder through interviews with the famed writer/director himself.
Foldout feat. an essay by critic Angelica Jade Bastién
Notably missing here from Universal’s previous 2014 Limited Edition Blu-ray release is a commentary track by screenwriter/film historian Lem Dobbs and film historian Nick Redman and the 1973 TV movie remake starring Richard Crenna, Samantha Eggar and Lee J. Cobb. That release also contained collectible reproduction cards of the original theatrical poster, lobby cards and a still from the alternate ending.
Overall: 5/5
A hit with both critics and audiences, Double Indemnity not only secured Billy Wilder’s place on the A-List, but also set the template for many film noirs after this one to follow. Criterion has scored another bullseye here, with a stellar HD transfer and a terrific slate of special features (but hold on to your Universal Blu-ray if you want the 1973 TV adaptation and additional commentary track). Very highly recommended and absolutely worth getting if you haven’t already picked up a copy of the movie previously.
Double Indemnity (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-r…
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Mychal has been on the Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2018, with reviews numbering close to 300. During this time, he has also been working as an assistant manager at The Cotton Patch – his family’s fabric and quilting supplies business in Keizer, Oregon. When not working at reviewing movies or working at the family business, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast, playing video games and watching baseball in addition to his expansive collection of movies on DVD, Blu-ray and UHD, totalling over 3,000 movies.
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