Synopsis
Dana Andrews is the tough cop who takes too much pleasure in roughing up the bad guys. When he hits a suspect too hard, he accidentally kills him. He covers up his crime and carries on the investigation into the murder the man was suspected of. But as if his life weren’t complicated enough, he starts to fall for his victim’s ex-wife, and then her father looks like he’s going to hang for Andrews’ crime.
This is what film noir is all about. Daylight never seems to intrude in this cit… of perpetual night. Andrews is utterly convincing as the brutal cop, and Gene Tierney is on hand with her smouldering presence. She’s playing the good girl, this time around, but that doesn’t make her any less fatal for Andrews.
Audio
Unlike just about every other Fox release of this kind, the stereo remix doesn’t suffer from inappropriate surround elements (primarily dialogue). Instead, nothing emerges from the rear speakers at all, and there is very little to distinguish the stereo from the mono (other than a slight increase in the richness of the sound).
Video
The print is in excellent shape, with a marvellous contrast helping no end in achieving the dark atmosphere of the film. The image is very sharp, and there is no visible edge enhancement or grain, and no real damage to speak of, either.
Special Features
Historian Eddie Muller’s commentary is lively and informative, but is occasionally a bit informal by the standards of this series, and sometimes spends too much time pointing out what is obviously happening on screen. The other extras are the usual: a still gallery and some trailers. The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
Another great print of another great film. What a great series.
Special Features List
- Audio Commentary
- Still Gallery
- Trailers
