The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

[Hazel Motes]

Add my name to the list of people that are super stoked by this announcement.

Although, I must say, when I first read the news, the cynic in me was quietly disappointed that a John Huston film was getting a Criterion Blu Ray and it wasn't "The Dead".

I'd really like to retire my shitty Italian dvd that resides in the recalled American dvd case.

But I digest, this is an easy purchase for me. Hopefully this leads to more John Huston down the line.

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by EVERYONE LIES

Criterion doesn't hold a candle to WAC.

Wait, what?

[Christophah Maghen]

WOW! Can't believe it is coming on blu ray and with the criterion treatment!

[Wolfschmidt]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

monroe's in the movie for like three minutes, they were never gonna put her on the cover.

Asphalt-Jungle-Criterion-Voyager-Janus-LaserDisc-CC1126L.jpg

[UseY0ur1llusi0n]

Here's hoping they update that cover before release!

[Akijama]

DVDBeaver

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by Akijama

DVDBeaver

This will be mine.

[MifuneFan]

Looks nice, though I wouldn't mond if the contrast was upped a little more to produce deeper blacks, and better balance. The DVD actually looks a lottle nicer in that regard.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Akijama

DVDBeaver

Not really seeing as big a difference as I was expecting, but still an upgrade.

[jimqk]

Just pre-ordered from Amazon for $22 and change, if anybody's interested.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Not really seeing as big a difference as I was expecting, but still an upgrade.

In those side-by-side shots it seems the contrast is worse - the blacks are much grayer. Of course, i know those comparison shots aren't always that great (especially at DVDbeaver).

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Not really seeing as big a difference as I was expecting, but still an upgrade.

As with Out of the Past and Cat People (1942), the Warner Bros. DVD of The Asphalt Jungle was a top-notch standard definition presentation, and, as such, most viewers with normal-sized television screens may not readily notice any drastic differences in picture quality.

I'm cool with that. These Blu-rays take Mercedes Benz presentations and turn them into Rolls Royce presentations.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

As with Out of the Past and Cat People (1942), the Warner Bros. DVD of The Asphalt Jungle was a top-notch standard definition presentation, and, as such, most viewers with normal-sized television screens may not readily notice any drastic differences in picture quality.

I'm cool with that. These Blu-rays take Mercedes Benz presentations and turn them into Rolls Royce presentations.

This is exactly where I'm at with a lot of Warner films. I can muddle along with the DVDs of things like 7 Days in May and Arsenic and Old Lace and The Thin Man because they're all very solid but boy, I'd jump at WAC/Criterion releases.

[jimqk]

The DVD was rather good. One minor aspect I'm interested in is whether there are still signs of print damage during the MGM opening sequence. On my old VHS version and the DVD, it appeared the film was slightly damaged in the very beginning when the lion is roaring.

I know this is a very minor point, and I won't mind if that damage is still there. I'm just curious whether this new restoration addressed that or not.

[jimqk]

The Asphalt Jungle has received high marks in its Blu-ray.com review. Can't wait to watch it later today.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-A.../44307/#Review

[gates70]

Originally Posted by jimqk

The Asphalt Jungle has received high marks in its Blu-ray.com review. Can't wait to watch it later today.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-A.../44307/#Review

A Criterion receiving high marks on this site ? Shocker (not saying this particular title doesn't deserve it).

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Watching this right when I get home from work tonight. Can't wait! First time viewing for me but I know I'll love it.

[Scarface32]

Came today:

[jimqk]

Originally Posted by gates70

A Criterion receiving high marks on this site ? Shocker (not saying this particular title doesn't deserve it).

Well, this is a case when it does deserve it. Been watching this movie since the late 1980s. Saw it on broadcast TV the first time, during the Ted Turner colorization craze, and loved it. Bought the VHS version very late 80s or early 90s, and wore it out over a 10-year period. Then owned it on DVD and watched it numerous times throughout the years.

And now the Blu-ray version, and it looks and sounds awesome. Those who are very familiar with The Asphalt Jungle and who've watched it on VHS and DVD for years are going to be very impressed with this restored version.

You notice so many more details now. You'll see what I mean right off the bat during the opening scenes.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jimqk

Saw it on broadcast TV the first time, during the Ted Turner colorization craze, and loved it.

He got a hell of a lot of heat for that (and much of it was reasonable enough) but he also introduced a hell of a lot of people to a hell of a lot of awfully good movies.

And for all the cries of 'barbarian!' he was also a very responsible steward of the films he acquired. One of the biggest ironies of the whole colorization kerfuffle is that he spent a ton of money restoring the films he was supposedly vandalizing.