Official Film Noir on Blu-ray Thread

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by Modman

Indicator in the UK are releasing The Strange One (1957).

Adapted from Calder Willingham’s novel, End as a Man, this uncompromising exposé of the practice of hazing in a military college features a number of actors from New York’s famed Actors Studio – including Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle, Clifton James, and George Peppard – each at the start of their lengthy careers in film.


INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

High Definition presentation
Two presentations of the film: The Strange One, with the original US title sequence, and End as a Man with the rarely seen UK titles
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with critic Nick Pinkerton (2020)
Finding Direction (2020): Jack Garfein recalls his directorial debut and his work with the Actors Studio
Ben Gazzara Remembers ‘The Strange One’ (2009): archival interview with the acclaimed actor
Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
Original theatrical trailer
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Brad Stevens, Ben Gazzara on The Strange One, an archival interview with Jack Garfein, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
World premiere on Blu-ray
Limited edition of 3,000 copies
Extras subject to change

Great, great film. Very happy it will get a release.

[Modman]

With death of Kirk Douglas it does feel like the passing of an era. I am sure I will be watching a few Douglas movies at the weekend, which of course will include a noir, what to choose?

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by Modman

With death of Kirk Douglas it does feel like the passing of an era. I am sure I will be watching a few Douglas movies at the weekend, which of course will include a noir, what to choose?

"Ace in the Hole".

[Gunsnroses092789]

Originally Posted by Modman

With death of Kirk Douglas it does feel like the passing of an era. I am sure I will be watching a few Douglas movies at the weekend, which of course will include a noir, what to choose?

Detective Story or Champion are my recommended Douglas noirs.

[crazednoir]

Originally Posted by Modman

With death of Kirk Douglas it does feel like the passing of an era. I am sure I will be watching a few Douglas movies at the weekend, which of course will include a noir, what to choose?

Detective Story- best use of Douglas's intensity

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Modman

Indicator in the UK are releasing The Strange One (1957).

Adapted from Calder Willingham’s novel, End as a Man, this uncompromising exposé of the practice of hazing in a military college features a number of actors from New York’s famed Actors Studio – including Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle, Clifton James, and George Peppard – each at the start of their lengthy careers in film.


INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

High Definition presentation
Two presentations of the film: The Strange One, with the original US title sequence, and End as a Man with the rarely seen UK titles
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with critic Nick Pinkerton (2020)
Finding Direction (2020): Jack Garfein recalls his directorial debut and his work with the Actors Studio
Ben Gazzara Remembers ‘The Strange One’ (2009): archival interview with the acclaimed actor
Image gallery: on-set and promotional photography
Original theatrical trailer
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Brad Stevens, Ben Gazzara on The Strange One, an archival interview with Jack Garfein, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits
World premiere on Blu-ray
Limited edition of 3,000 copies
Extras subject to change

Good news...I have to make sure I buy this one.

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

"Ace in the Hole".

Watched that last night. Such a powerful movie that resonates even more today than when it was filmed. One of the best final scenes ever.

[usuallee]

Originally Posted by Modman

With death of Kirk Douglas it does feel like the passing of an era. I am sure I will be watching a few Douglas movies at the weekend, which of course will include a noir, what to choose?

Didn't know he died! Actually, didn't know he was still alive, if I'm honest. He was what, 103? Definitely a great actor. May he rest in peace.

For films, definitely try Out of the Past if by some reason as a noir fan you've missed that so far. If so, you're in for a real treat! Also, Ace in the Hole is very good. I need to rewatch both of those as it's been awhile. Also Detective Story...there's bad days and then there's baaaaaaaad days, for Kirk Douglass's character. The fatalism is strong in this one. He's great in it. Albeit, the only Blu-ray I could find is a sketchy looking Spanish one. I saw it quite awhile ago on either DVD or streaming. Still is quite vivid in my mind all these years later.

Champion is another noir featuring Douglas that I can't recommend as I've never seen it. But it's supposed to be really good. May have to finally track down that one myself.

Edit: I repeated some films others already mentioned. Didn't see them as I didn't re-load the page from this morning before posting. Cheers all!

[Modman]

Originally Posted by usuallee

Didn't know he died! Actually, didn't know he was still alive, if I'm honest. He was what, 103? Definitely a great actor. May he rest in peace.

For films, definitely try Out of the Past if by some reason as a noir fan you've missed that so far. If so, you're in for a real treat! Also, Ace in the Hole is very good. I need to rewatch both of those as it's been awhile. Also Detective Story...there's bad days and then there's baaaaaaaad days, for Kirk Douglass's character. The fatalism is strong in this one. He's great in it. Albeit, the only Blu-ray I could find is a sketchy looking Spanish one. I saw it quite awhile ago on either DVD or streaming. Still is quite vivid in my mind all these years later.

Champion is another noir featuring Douglas that I can't recommend as I've never seen it. But it's supposed to be really good. May have to finally track down that one myself.

Edit: I repeated some films others already mentioned. Didn't see them as I didn't re-load the page from this morning before posting. Cheers all!

Going with Ace in the Hole and Detective Story, never seen Detective Story and haven't watched Ace in the Hole for a couple of years.

Out of the Past I only re-watched a few months ago, gotta to say I prefer the UK title Build My Gallows High, you know exactly what you're getting with a title like that.

[SeanJoyce]

For "Douglas noir", his debut in The Strange Love of Martha Ives is a strong one. He plays an emasculated milksop there, which was quite different from the strong, virile characters he would become renowned. Plus he's got noir queens Barbara Stanwyck and Lizabeth Scott, with the always-sturdy Ven Heflin, for support.

I Walk Alone, his first of many collaborations with Burt Lancaster (with Lizabeth Scott again) is also a nice gangster noir worth tracking down.

Douglas was made for noir; it's interesting how much he and Lancaster did for the genre before they both became powerful producer-stars.

[usuallee]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

Richard Fleischer knew how to keep his noir pacing economical, fast moving (a necessity when they were never supposed to top 80 minutes), and propulsive. He's my favorite B noir director, in part for this quality his films consistently exhibit.

Yeah I like his style of direction, from Fantastic Voyage to Violent Saturday, etc. Narrow Margin is terrific (we really, really need this on Blu-ray). I haven't seen the likes of Follow Me Quietly, Armored Car Robbery, or Bodyguard.

[chidecki]

Originally Posted by Modman

With death of Kirk Douglas it does feel like the passing of an era. I am sure I will be watching a few Douglas movies at the weekend, which of course will include a noir, what to choose?

It would have to be Out of the Past. A top five noir if there ever was one. Kirk Douglas may not get top billing, but you can't go wrong, especially if you haven't seen it.

[GeoffOliver]

Would The Bad & the Beautiful be considered noir, at least in some ways?

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by Modman

With death of Kirk Douglas it does feel like the passing of an era. I am sure I will be watching a few Douglas movies at the weekend, which of course will include a noir, what to choose?

If you had to just pick one, go with Out of the Past.

[Boggle]

I would go with Champion since it was a breakout leading role for him. He carries the film. You can't go wrong with Out of the Past though.

[latehong]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

Would The Bad & the Beautiful be considered noir, at least in some ways?

If you define film noir as gritty portrayals of bleak modern societies full of cunning opportunists and disillusioned failures with stark b&w photography and razor-sharp dialogues, yes.

But whether it's a film noir or not, The Bad and the Beautiful is indeed a perfect film to remember him in many ways.

[The Great Owl]

Out of the Past is my all-time favorite movie, but I believe the Ace in the Hole has the best Kirk Douglas performance.

[CBHampson]

Originally Posted by latehong

If you define film noir as gritty portrayals of bleak modern societies full of cunning opportunists and disillusioned failures with stark b&w photography and razor-sharp dialogues, yes.

But whether it's a film noir or not, The Bad and the Beautiful is indeed a perfect film to remember him in many ways.

It's not noir. Though it has the cynicism to warrant comparisons, it needs more than that, imo,

But it is a great movie. One of my personal favorites.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by bonehica

Watched that last night. Such a powerful movie that resonates even more today than when it was filmed. One of the best final scenes ever.

It's one of my favorite Wilder films. In an era of "media frenzy" the film feels more relevant now than ever.

[SanCarolina59]

I don’t know if this movie counts as film noir or not, but Dragnet (1954) was just announced by Kino Lorber as part of their 2nd Universal deal.