A Kiss Before Dying Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "A Kiss Before Dying" presents its Technicolor noir roots in an AVC encoded image with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, leveraging an ultra-wide CinemaScope framing to capture the film's visual nuances. Despite this, the transfer struggles with significant challenges. Period aesthetics, such as costume vibrancy and storefront neon lighting, are mostly preserved, with acceptable skintones and occasional sharp close-ups, offering some visual appeal. However, heavy grain, speckling, and scratches intermittently mar the viewing experience. The presence of bluish discoloration and other forms of damage, including missing frames around the 1:26:00 mark and reel change markers, regularly distract from the film’s gritty allure.

A major drawback of this Blu-ray presentation is the problematic color timing. Though primary colors maintain a certain robustness, nuances of hue distribution often fail, leading to inconsistent skin tones and sporadic blue splotches affecting the actors' appearances. These issues, coupled with a propensity for hues to bleed and stray, undermine the lush and sumptuous quality expected of Technicolor heritage. Additionally, black levels provide commendable depth and weight, yet sequences marred by heavier-than-normal grain disrupt the film's intended texture.

The transfer also battles erratic sharpness within its 1080p resolution, spanning from excellent detail to moments of disappointing softness. Contrast similarly suffers from inconsistency, occasionally appearing muted or milky due to print fading. Despite comfortably film-like grain levels in some sequences, the abundance of dust, dirt, and print damage detracts substantially from the viewing experience. Regrettably, this effort by Kino Lorber falls short of the anticipated standard for classic transfers, with only comprehensive restoration likely capable of resolving these pervasive shortcomings.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track for "A Kiss Before Dying" presents a considerable number of audio challenges that detract from the overall experience. Dialogue exchanges exhibit a muffled quality, making certain passages difficult to understand, while hiss and periodic damage add unwelcome pops and mild buzzing. Furthermore, a strange grinding sound intermittently intrudes, occasionally overpowering dialogue. The background score by Lionel Newman, although mixed proficiently with dialogue and atmospheric effects, often suffers from a lack of clarity and depth, which diminishes its impact.

Despite featuring a wide dynamic range capable of handling highs and lows, the audio track falls short of expectations. The film’s score, arranged by industry stalwarts Billy May and Nelson Riddle, is plagued by a persistent flatness that hinders the music's texture and leaves it lacking in vitality. Surface noise and pronounced hiss are pervasive issues throughout the track, contributing to an unsatisfactory listening experience. Although the mix manages to maintain balance among various elements, its inability to overcome these age-related audio defects ultimately compromises the immersive quality of this classic thriller.

The Blu-ray extras for "A Kiss Before Dying" are sparse yet noteworthy, particularly for those interested in cinematic marketing from the period. The disc includes the original theatrical trailer, which runs for just over two minutes. This trailer provides an engaging preview that emphasizes Robert Wagner's startling and shocking performance in his chilling role. The quality is in standard definition, maintaining the authenticity and nostalgic essence of the original release period. Although limited, the inclusion of the trailer offers a glimpse into the movie's promotional history, making it a valuable addition for film historians and dedicated fans alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer emphasizing Robert Wagner's performance.

Gerd Oswald's 1956 adaptation of Ira Levin's novel, "A Kiss Before Dying," combines suspense and melodrama in uneven but compelling ways. The narrative centers on the scheming and manipulative Bud Corliss (Robert Wagner), who seeks to eliminate his pregnant girlfriend, Dorothy Kingship (Joanne Woodward), while maintaining ties with her wealthy family. Though the film captures moments of intense tension and macabre twists, it falters with extended scenes of characterization that dilute its overall momentum. The suspense builds during pivotal scenes where Bud meticulously plots to cover his tracks, providing a gripping look at his calculating nature. However, these peaks are sporadically interrupted by less engaging dialogue and characterization.

Wagner delivers a standout performance as the charismatic yet deeply sinister Bud, contrasting sharply with Woodward's naive portrayal of Dorothy. The film spectacularly captures the social-climber's ruthless ambitions and subsequent inner workings without the film plunging into overt gore, maintaining a sophisticated level of suspense. In stark contrast, Ellen Kingship (Virginia Leith) and her partner in investigation, Gordon Grant (Jeffrey Hunter), offer less compelling portrayals, often leaning towards a stiffer demeanor which somewhat undermines their subplots. The location shooting in Tucson, Arizona, adds an authentic, edgy backdrop that enhances the film's suspenseful atmosphere.

Oswald's direction effectively utilizes the wide Cinemascope frame to symbolize the relational dynamics among characters, such as the vast emotional distance between Bud and his overbearing mother. Remarkably, even decades post-release, "A Kiss Before Dying" still manages to shock and engage viewers through its well-constructed narrative and strategically placed twists. Despite its shortcomings and occasional predictability, the film remains superior to its 1991 remake and successfully navigates the dark recesses of ambition and murder with considerable flair.

The 1956 version of "A Kiss Before Dying" offers an intriguing narrative that deftly combines elements of thriller and detective genres. The film's first half introduces Robert Wagner's chilling portrayal of a social climber, ruthlessly determined to achieve success. The shift in focus during the second half, which brings in Virginia Leith as a concerned sibling turning the story into a detective investigation, is commendable but lacks sustained tension. Gerd Oswald’s direction is competent, presenting suspenseful moments intermittently, though the pacing suffers with extended gaps between the high points. This impacts the overall engagement, making the thriller effective only in short bursts rather than as a continuous compelling experience.

Despite the film's significant strengths - taut direction, surprising twists, and strong performances from its capable cast - Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release falls short of the mark. The video and audio transfers are subpar, detracting from the viewing experience rather than enhancing it. Furthermore, the lack of supplementary materials does little to justify the purchase for even the most dedicated fans of classic noir thrillers. The film's quality is undercut by this mediocre presentation, which fails to do justice to Wagner's sleek performance and Oswald's directorial finesse.

In conclusion, while "A Kiss Before Dying" is a notable film in the noir thriller genre and worth viewing for its historical and cinematic value, Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release is disappointing. The diminished audio-visual quality and insufficient supplemental content make this particular edition a less optimal choice for collectors and enthusiasts. Consider this a cautious recommendation: the film itself merits attention, though you may want to hold out for a more robust release if one becomes available.