The Ugly Duckling Blu-ray Review

Sony's restoration of the obscure Hammer release, "The Ugly Duckling," offers a commendable video presentation that showcases the film in a new light. Utilizing a fresh scan, the AVC encoded image, presented in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, delivers sharp and detailed visuals. The textured costumes and facial surfaces are rendered crisply, while the dimensionality of the dance halls and street scenes adds depth to the viewing experience. The set designs, especially the pharmacy scenes, are vividly detailed with distinct decoration. Deep blacks comfortably delineate evening events, and dense costuming details are preserved well. Importantly, the source material is in strong shape, contributing to the overall clarity.

Having been recently rediscovered in a film vault after long being thought lost by the BFI and Sony Pictures, this MOD release arguably surpasses the visual quality of its original theatrical presentation. The print is remarkably clean, devoid of debris or scratches, resulting in a crystal clear and spotless image. While some softness can still be observed during opticals—a common trait for films of this era—contrast is impressive, with black levels reaching near-deep black (a very dark grey) and whites that maintain integrity without clipping. This restoration not only revives "The Ugly Duckling" but enhances it, allowing contemporary audiences to appreciate its visual intricacies like never before.

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix of "The Ugly Duckling" excels in clarity and dynamic range, providing a distinct appreciation of dialogue exchanges. The particular nuances of performances, notably by Bresslaw who portrays dual aspects of a single character, are remarkably vivid. The soundtrack effectively captures musical performances with sharp instrumentation and an enhanced big band sound that elevates the celebratory atmospherics. Sound effects are crisp, and environmental sounds contribute meaningfully to scenes set in communal gatherings.

The fidelity of the DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono soundtrack is exceptionally high, showcasing a surprisingly good dynamic range, especially during the dance hall music sequences. Dialogue remains clear and comprehensible throughout, enhancing the overall auditory experience. Using DTS Neuro: X further improves dialogue prioritization over Direct or Dolby Surround settings, ensuring superior audio clarity. It's worth noting that the absence of subtitles or closed captions might be a drawback for some users, but it does not detract from the overall rich auditory presentation.

The Blu Ray release of "The Ugly Duckling" unfortunately appears to lack any supplementary material that would generally enrich the overall viewing experience. This absence is significant, as it does not feature special features like behind-the-scenes content, interviews, or commentary tracks that could provide deeper insights into the film's production and themes. Additionally, there are notable technical limitations; the disc does not have a functional menu, and pressing the Top Menu or Pop-up Menu buttons may cause operational issues depending on the player used. This can range from a lack of time readout to the inability to use essential playback functions such as pause or chapter skip.

Extras included in this disc:

• None: There are no additional features or menus provided.

Hammer Films' 1959 release, "The Ugly Duckling," diverges from their established horror brand to present a comedic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Bernard Bresslaw stars as the bungling pharmacist Henry Jeckle, who discovers a concoction transforming him into the urbane and confident Teddy Hyde. Bresslaw's portrayal anchors the film, effectively differentiating between Henry's mishaps and Teddy's allure with only subtle physical modifications. The narrative takes a lighthearted plunge into identity transformation, positioning itself among dance halls and jewel heists rather than gothic horror.

In this film, Henry's clumsiness and unwitting entanglement in a diamond theft deliver ample opportunities for physical comedy. Bresslaw showcases his comic competence in scenes that range from dance attempts to criminal entanglements. Noteworthy performances include Jon Pertwee as the responsible brother Victor and Jean Muir as Snout, who adds romantic intrigue and represents a moral compass amidst the chaos. The screenplay, which playfully admits to borrowing ideas from Stevenson, offers humor akin to lesser Ealing or Roger Corman's comedies, with broad strokes that sometimes succeed in being amusing.

Despite its nostalgic charm, "The Ugly Duckling" contains dated elements, such as the golliwog doll that reflects the era’s insensitivities. The film struggles with consistent humor but retains an engaging quality thanks to its cast's charismatic performances, particularly during Henry's transformation scenes. While it marked an unsuccessful comedic experiment at the time of its theatrical release, the movie's blend of physical comedy and modest absurdity provides an intriguing snapshot of Hammer Films' creative detour in the late 1950s.

The Ugly Duckling Blu-ray offers an opportunity to revisit a lesser-known Hammer Films production that deviates from their usual horror fare. Remastered with impressive attention to detail, the transfer boasts crisp visuals and a high-definition picture quality, breathing new life into the film’s distinctive 1950s aesthetic. Nonetheless, while the visual presentation is commendable, the lack of substantial bonus features such as an audio commentary or historical insights leaves room for improvement.

The movie's narrative, centered around a madcap climax involving stolen jewels at a fashion show, strives for humor but often lands more as amusing rather than truly funny. The attempt to blend comedic elements with criminal activities showcases Hammer's ambition to move beyond its typical monster-centric offerings. However, this shift in genre doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential. Despite its shortcomings, the film shines through its cast, who deliver energetic performances and work diligently to elevate the somewhat tepid script.

In conclusion, "The Ugly Duckling" is a mixed bag—while it may not reach the heights of other Hammer classics, it offers a unique viewing experience marked by spirited performances and technical excellence in its Blu-ray restoration. Although it falls short in terms of supplementary content, the release remains a notable addition for collectors and fans interested in exploring Hammer’s less conventional forays.