Ace in the Hole Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Billy Wilder's "Ace in the Hole" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The film undergoes a thorough digital transfer created in 4K resolution using a Scanity film scanner at Technicolor Hollywood. The transfer was produced from a combination of a 35mm duplicate negative and a 35mm acetate fine-grain sourced from several origins. The restoration, completed in 2K, involved meticulous manual removal of thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps using MTI's DRS and Pixel Farm's PFClean. Digital Vision's Phoenix tool was used for minor dirt, grain, and noise reduction.

Visually, "Ace in the Hole" shines through its high-definition presentation. While minor sharpness fluctuations exist, close-ups and panoramic shots largely exhibit excellent depth and clarity. The cave sequences are notably crisper with stable contrast levels throughout the film. The grayscale is well balanced with solid blacks, bright whites, and a variety of grays, maintaining the filmic texture without problematic degraining or sharpening corrections. Traces of light fading are occasionally visible but do not detract from the overall viewing experience. The previous light edge flicker noted in the R1 DVD release has been eradicated, ensuring image stability.

The source print shows minor specks and faint lines intermittently, paired with some slight stabilization issues and pulsing in certain shots. Despite these minimal age-related inconsistencies, the Blu-ray exhibits most frames as clean and sharply-defined with impressive clarity. Detailed textures, such as suit patterns and the characters’ sweaty, dirty faces, stand out remarkably. Overall, Ace in the Hole is presented with a beautiful filmic transfer that maintains authenticity and depth while minimizing any troublesome artifacts or processing.

The audio presentation for the Blu-ray release of "Ace in the Hole" includes a single English LPCM 1.0 track. This standard mono mix is inherently limited by its format and the age of the film, yet it manages to deliver a listening experience that is both clean and respectable. The dialogue remains consistently clear and stable, making it easy to follow the story without distractions. Although the range of the dynamic is somewhat restricted, this aligns with the film's original sound design.

The overall depth and clarity are commendable despite some minor issues such as a slightly low overall mix compared to more modern releases and faint background hissing in a few scenes. Notably, there are no pops, cracks, audio dropouts, or significant distortions throughout the presentation. The music takes on a mainly supportive role, contributing to the atmosphere without overwhelming other elements. Specific sound effects, such as falling sand and clanking keys, are well-integrated, enhancing the film's mood effectively. While this mono mix may not offer the immersive quality of multi-channel formats, it remains a faithful and authentic representation of the film's original audio experience.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Ace in the Hole" delivers a robust selection of extras that provide deep insights into the film and its creator, Billy Wilder. The high-definition presentations of interviews, documentaries, and scholarly commentary cumulatively enrich the viewing experience. The extras feature contributions from notable figures such as Kirk Douglas, Walter Newman, and Spike Lee, alongside extensive archival content with Wilder himself, offering a comprehensive understanding of the film's production history, character analysis, and thematic relevance. The disc's supplemental materials maintain a consistent 1080p resolution with Dolby Digital 1.0 audio and no subtitles available, ensuring technical uniformity.

Extras included in this disc:

• Portrait of a 60% Perfect Man: Billy Wilder: 1980 documentary including interviews with Wilder about his career.
• Billy Wilder at the American Film Institute: Excerpts from a 1986 interview covering his Hollywood experience.
• Kirk Douglas: 1984 interview sharing insights into playing unsympathetic characters and working with Wilder.
• Walter Newman: 1970 audio interview discussing screenwriting collaboration with Wilder.
• Spike Lee Afterword: Featurette with Spike Lee reflecting on the film's uniqueness.
• Stills Gallery: Collection of production and behind-the-scenes photos.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with essays on the film.
• Commentary by Neil Sinyard: In-depth audio commentary from a film scholar recorded in 2007.

Billy Wilder's "Ace in the Hole" (1951) is a strikingly prophetic noir film that remains startlingly relevant today. Starring the formidable Kirk Douglas as the unscrupulous journalist Chuck Tatum, the film delves into the ruthless machinations of the American media while offering a sharp critique on sensationalism and moral degradation. Tatum, desperate to revive his career, unscrupulously exploits a man's (Richard Benedict) ordeal being trapped in a cave to generate mass media frenzy. This brings out not only personal gain but also a disturbing media spectacle that becomes a major tourist attraction. Wilder's direction and screenplay, co-written with Walter Newman and Lesser Samuels, is razor-sharp, blending cynical humor with intense drama and vivid social commentary.

Kirk Douglas delivers an outstanding performance as the morally bankrupt reporter whose manipulation wreaks havoc not only on the lives involved directly in the cave accident but on the consuming public at large. His portrayal of Tatum's raw ambition and unrelenting pursuit of fame is chilling. Supporting performances by Jan Sterling as the callous wife of the trapped man and Ray Teal as the corrupt sheriff add layers of complexity to the narrative. Cinematographer Charles Lang's stylized visuals and Arthur P. Schmidt's adept editing amplify the film's intensity, making each frame visually compelling.

Technically elegant, "Ace in the Hole" showcases Wilder’s mastery in creating a visually and thematically cohesive film. Long takes, clever compositions, and dynamic camera movements highlight the noir sensibilities, while shadows and background details add depth to character interactions and narrative twists. The Blu-ray edition by Criterion includes a robust set of supplemental features, cultivating an enriching viewing experience. The original trailer, scholarly audio commentaries, archival interviews, and insightful essays elevate the understanding of Wilder's visionary work that deconstructs journalistic ethics and media manipulation with brutal honesty. This release is a critical piece for cinephiles and those keen on exploring dark explorations of media influences.

Billy Wilder's "Ace in the Hole" is an incisive exploration of media manipulation, elevated by Kirk Douglas's commanding performance. Even more pertinent today, the film showcases Wilder's forward-thinking critique of sensationalized journalism. The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release features a newly restored 2K digital transfer, delivering a marked improvement over prior editions. The restoration ensures a visually exceptional and richly filmic experience, while the audio mix, despite minor age-related imperfections, remains robust and engaging.

Complementing the high-quality restoration are an array of valuable and entertaining supplements, including insightful interviews and behind-the-scenes content that deepen the appreciation of Wilder's vision. The additional material sheds light on the film's production and its lasting impact, providing a comprehensive viewing experience that both film enthusiasts and casual viewers will find enriching.

Billy Wilder's 'Ace in the Hole' is not only a must-see for fans of classic cinema but also serves as a cautionary tale that feels especially urgent in our contemporary media landscape. This Criterion release does justice to this seminal work, making it an essential addition to any film collection. Highly recommended.