Lifeboat Blu-ray Review

"Lifeboat" makes its American Blu-ray premiere courtesy of Kino Lorber Studio Classics on an AVC-encoded BD-25. Presented in an aspect ratio of approximately 1.39:1, the transfer maintains the original 1.37:1 theatrical ratio faithfully. The compression is solid with average bitrates around 21,999 kbps, resulting in clear yet textured visuals that aptly reflect the gritty, confined narrative of the film. The first and final reels suffer from nitrate decomposition, leading to noticeable contrast issues and intermittent blemishes such as specks and vertical lines. However, these imperfections diminish as the film progresses, unveiling an image rich with gray scale variance, deep black levels, and sharp close-ups that highlight fine details. Despite these challenges, this is definitively the best "Lifeboat" has ever looked on any format.

In comparison to earlier releases, including the German DE Concorde transfer and the Eureka edition, Kino's version exhibits improved contrast and detail. Vertical tramlines, soiled stains, and blotches appear sporadically but fail to detract from the impressive overall transfer quality. Even with occasional spotting and scratching in the first reel, the enhanced clarity rarely disrupts the film's artifice, seamlessly integrating grain into the visual fabric. Noteworthy moments include the ability to see the sweat on Walter Slezak's forehead and subtle marks on John Hodiak's attire. Despite the source material's age and condition, Kino Lorber's transfer offers a commendable viewing experience that should not dissuade Hitchcock enthusiasts from upgrading their collections.

Kino's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track for "Lifeboat" exhibits commendable fidelity, maintaining a bit rate of 1556 kbps at 16-bit depth. The audio master is in comparatively better shape than the composite print, presenting a largely clear soundscape with only minimal hiss and no significant scratches or dropouts. The film's American and European cast exhibits a mix of regional and ethnic accents, making the optional English SDH subtitles valuable. Notably, Walter Slezak’s character switches to German, with Tallulah Bankhead translating the dialogue into English.

The sound design of "Lifeboat" is subtle yet effectively captured by the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track. Textural sounds like creaking wood and gentle breezes are distinctly rendered, while howling winds and crashing waves during storm sequences create an immersive experience. The dynamic range adroitly handles both highs and lows, though bass frequencies may appear slightly underwhelming. The music by Hugo Friedhofer, limited to the opening and closing credits, delivers a robust tone. Dialogue remains consistently clear, even amid concurrent conversations, with no discernible distortion or age-related artifacts such as pops or crackles.

Overall, the sound mix honors Hitchcock's minimalistic approach while ensuring all elements are presented with clarity and precision. The movie is divided into eight scene selections, adding to ease of navigation through this nuanced auditory experience.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Lifeboat" offers a compelling set of extras, melding both vintage and new material to provide thorough insights into Hitchcock's wartime classic. The disc features two audio commentaries: a lively 2005 track by Dr. Drew Casper, offering an enthusiastic deep dive into Hitchcock's techniques and film history, and a recently recorded, detailed commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, which enriches the understanding of the film's production and cast. The inclusion of embedded featurettes, like the "Making of Lifeboat" with commentary from Hitchcock’s family and scholars, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the film's development and controversies. Additionally, audio excerpts from the iconic Hitchcock/Truffaut interviews, complemented by visuals from the film, further illuminate Hitchcock's creative process. Trailers and contextual promotional content round out this well-curated selection of supplements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Film Professor Drew Casper: A 2005 feature-length track discussing Hitchcock's style.
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Tim Lucas: Insightful commentary on film production and cast.
• The Making of Lifeboat: A 20-minute featurette with interviews and storyboards.
• Hitchcock/Truffaut Interview Clip: An 11-minute audio excerpt with visuals from the film.
• NEW Blu-ray Disc Trailer
• Promo Trailers: For 23 Paces to Baker Street, Compulsion, and Five Miles to Midnight.

Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat (1944) is an astute examination of interpersonal drama following a maritime catastrophe, eschewing grandiose shipwreck visuals for a tightly focused character study aboard a small lifeboat. Set during World War II, the film begins with stylish photojournalist Connie Porter, portrayed brilliantly by Tallulah Bankhead, isolated in the lifeboat amidst debris. As fellow survivors clamber aboard—including a gruff worker (John Hodiak), an injured German-American (William Bendix), and a deceptive Nazi (Walter Slezak)—a tense, multifaceted human drama unfolds. The confined setting acts as a crucible that reveals individual strengths and frailties, reflecting broader wartime societal dynamics.

The screenplay, developed from a John Steinbeck novella with contributions from Jo Swerling and others, paints the lifeboat's occupants as a microcosm of World War II-era society. Their ideological clashes and eventual cooperation underscore a powerful message about unity against common threats. Hitchcock masterfully maximizes the small set's potential, using fluid camera work and extreme close-ups to amplify claustrophobia. Performances are uniformly strong: Bankhead's layered portrayal merited a New York Film Critics Circle award, and Bendix captivates as the jovial yet tragic Gus Smith. Critics at the time decried the portrayal of the German character as overly favorable, missing nuanced layers that Slezak's performance brings out.

Lifeboat garnered three Oscar nominations and is rich in thematic complexity. Despite not fitting Hitchcock's typical suspenseful mold, it remains one of his most introspective pieces. The film’s socio-political allegories and character-driven storytelling exhibit Hitchcock's prowess in creating compelling narratives within constrained environments. Bankhead's performance is particularly noteworthy, successfully shedding her character's materialistic veneer. The film’s rich tapestry of conversations and conflicts renders Lifeboat a textured, absorbing study in survival and human nature.

Alfred Hitchcock’s "Lifeboat" stands out as a gripping World War II survival narrative, showcasing brilliantly portrayed character dynamics against the backdrop of a single claustrophobic setting. This Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber impressively captures the film’s tension and thematic depth. Despite modestly admirable video quality, the high-definition transfer still elevates the viewing experience of this classic. Hitchcock’s meticulous direction, which earned him an Oscar nomination, resonates through the ensemble cast's polished performances—delivering a dramatic experience that remains engrossing even more than seven decades after its original release.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray edition further enhances the film’s legacy with solid video and audio presentations. Though the transfer could benefit from a frame-by-frame restoration to address remaining print defects, it currently stands as the best available package, shining particularly through its inclusion of substantial supplemental material. Noteworthy among these extras is an informative commentary by Tim Lucas and the feature-length audio essay by Drew Casper from the 2005 DVD release. These additions enrich the viewer’s understanding and appreciation of the film's complex narrative and historical context.

In conclusion, while there is room for technical improvement in the video quality, Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of "Lifeboat" remains an essential acquisition for Hitchcock enthusiasts. Its comprehensive supplemental features and robust presentation make it a definitive edition for US audiences. This release is highly recommended as a complementary piece to Eureka's UK edition, ensuring fans of Hitchcock can fully appreciate this unique survival tale from every angle.