The General Died at Dawn Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "The General Died at Dawn" boasts a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. This video transfer, derived from a freshly completed 4K master, is truly remarkable. The black-and-white cinematography is exceptionally well-preserved, displaying an incredibly hypnotic and immersive visual experience. An authentic film grain layer remains intact throughout, contributing to a genuine cinematic feel. The transfer shows no significant signs of print degradation, such as warps or burns, ensuring a crisp and pleasing viewing experience from start to finish.

The recent 4K scan has injected new vitality into the film, enriching fine details and grayscale while maintaining a natural, organic film grain appearance. Although minor imperfections like scratches and dirt are occasionally noticeable, they are not overly distracting and do not significantly detract from the overall presentation quality. This Blu-ray transfer represents the best that this classic film has ever looked on home video, making it a top-notch effort guaranteed to satisfy fans and collectors alike.

The Blu-ray release of "The General Died at Dawn" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio mono sound track that provides an impressive auditory experience. The high-resolution encode ensures that dialogue is crisp, clear, and consistently easy to understand, with no significant issues such as hiss, crackle, pops, or clicks disrupting the presentation. From start to finish, the audio quality is commendable, highlighting the fidelity and strength of the original recording. Optional English subtitles are also provided for added accessibility.

Particularly noteworthy is Werner Janssen’s Oscar-nominated score, which is rendered with great strength and fidelity on this track. The sound mix is faithfully reproduced, allowing the musical composition to shine alongside the film’s dialogue and other audio elements. Minor problems such as cracking and distortion are present but minimal, making this presentation a marked improvement over the previous Universal DVD release. Kudos to Kino for delivering what is likely the best this classic film will ever sound on home video.

The extras on the Blu-ray of “The General Died at Dawn” are impressively curated with a mix of insightful commentary and promotional content. Lee Gambin and Rutanya Alda provide an engaging and informative audio commentary, discussing film elements, themes, cast, and crew intricacies, offering both depth and breadth to enhance viewers' understanding of the movie. The included theatrical trailer retains its original charm, preserving the historical essence of the film's initial release. Additionally, a selection of trailers for other HD and SD films from Kino Lorber adds value, illustrating the high-quality offerings available from the distributor. These extras offer a comprehensive and immersive experience for film enthusiasts and historians alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by author/film historian Lee Gambin and actress/film historian Rutanya Alda: Insightful discussion on themes, cast, and crew.
• The General Died at Dawn Theatrical Trailer: Original preservation of the film’s initial release.
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: The Lives of a Bengal Lancer, Beau Geste, Man of the West, The Great McGinty & The Black Sleep.

"The General Died at Dawn," directed by Lewis Milestone, stands as a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, enhanced by remarkable technical craftsmanship. Set in war-torn China, the fast-paced thriller follows American agent O'Hara (Gary Cooper) on a perilous mission against the ruthless General Yang (Akim Tamiroff), with Madeleine Carroll excelling in the role of Judy Perrie, the femme fatale-turned-romantic interest. Cooper and Carroll's palpable on-screen chemistry heightens the tension and urgency inherent in their characters' dynamic. The screenplay by Clifford Odets is tightly woven, imbuing each scene with suspense and depth, thereby maintaining the audience's engagement throughout the runtime.

The film's technical elements significantly elevate its narrative. Victor Milner’s lush black-and-white cinematography captures the dark, noir aesthetic that lends the film its atmospheric tension. The innovative use of shot composition—including transitions like a doorknob fading into a billiard cue ball—and early split-screen techniques demonstrate Milestone's forward-thinking directorial approach. Edited with precision by Eda Warren, the film boasts an impeccable pace, further emphasized by Hans Dreier and Ernst Fegté's art direction. The shadowy train settings create a claustrophobic environment, amplifying the suspense. Werner Janssen’s original score complements the visuals, resonating with the film’s emotional and narrative beats, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The performances are uniformly excellent. Gary Cooper delivers a solid portrayal of O'Hara, modeled after real-life adventurer Morris "Two-Gun" Cohen, while Madeleine Carroll shines as Judy Perrie. However, Akim Tamiroff's portrayal of General Yang stands out, earning him a nomination for the first Oscar award for Best Supporting Actor. The supporting cast, including Dudley Digges, Porter Hall, and William Frawley, rounds out the ensemble, adding depth and nuance to the story. Overall, "The General Died at Dawn" remains an under-the-radar classic worthy of rediscovery, showcasing superb direction, innovative cinematography, and notable performances.

"The General Died at Dawn" receives a significant boost with this Blu-ray release, which thoroughly enhances the viewing experience of this classic suspense film. The 4K restoration is exceptional, bringing unprecedented clarity to the stunning cinematography and meticulously crafted art design. With vivid visuals and sharp contrasts, the richly detailed imagery makes it evident that this restoration was handled with great care. The inclusion of lossless audio tracks enriches the sound quality, ensuring that viewers can fully appreciate the powerful performances and the intricate soundscapes that accompany the narrative.

Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll deliver exquisite performances—with Cooper’s stoic intensity perfectly complementing Carroll’s enchanting presence. The chemistry between the lead actors elevates the storytelling, making the suspense and drama even more engaging. Kino’s Blu-ray release also includes a highly informative commentary track, adding valuable context to the film and enhancing the overall appreciation of this Golden Age Hollywood treasure. This new transfer marks a considerable improvement over previous DVD releases, presenting "The General Died at Dawn" in a quality that does justice to its enduring legacy.

In conclusion, "The General Died at Dawn" is an entertaining, fast-paced, and exciting suspense film that deserves to be seen. The production is well-mounted on so many levels: the art design and cinematography are top-notch. The performances by Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll are exquisite. There is great chemistry between the actors. I found the film exciting and worthwhile from start to finish. The Blu-ray release features a stunning restoration: a brand new 4K scan. The Kino release also includes an excellent lossless audio track. Highly recommended.