Laura Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Laura" expertly showcases Joseph LaShelle's Oscar-winning cinematography with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that exemplifies the film's timeless noir aesthetic. This restoration removes all specks and debris, delivering an exceptionally clean image. The tonal balance is meticulously managed, with deep shadows and crisp highlights that preserve the depth and mood of each scene. Notably, the scene where Lydecker waits in the snow exhibits slightly elevated black levels to maintain detail—an intentional choice that underscores the careful restoration approach. Clarity stands out, from the texture of Waldo's sharp suits to the nuanced facial features of McPherson. Importantly, there are no issues with digital noise reduction, edge enhancement, or compression, allowing the film's fine grain to shine through naturally.

Fox's 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer celebrates LaShelle's lighting craftsmanship by maintaining the film's warm grain structure and ensuring an image brimming with exceptional clarity and texture. While the overall picture runs slightly hot, impacting the stark contrast typical of film noir, the grayscale variance remains pleasing, with superb shadow delineation and a polished sheen. Blacks are solid and rich, whites are vivid but controlled, and subtle grayscale variations contribute to a visually stunning presentation. No remnants of previous imperfections such as isolated specks or vertical lines remain, showcasing a pristine print. Details are finely preserved without any digital artifacts, maintaining the film's Golden Age glamour throughout. This meticulous transfer represents a high standard for classic film restoration, befitting this romantic mystery's enduring legacy.

The Blu-ray release of "Laura" boasts an impressive audio presentation, with a DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono track that effectively revitalizes the film's soundscape. David Raksin's legendary score is notably enhanced, characterized by a wide dynamic range that captures the rich orchestral textures with marvelous fidelity and tonal depth. The haunting main theme, a jazz standard famously performed by numerous artists, is rendered with clarity and musicality, free from the tinny distortions that can plague older recordings. Dialogue is consistently crisp, clear, and discernible, offering a marked improvement over previous DVD releases which suffered from faint hissing and errant pops. Additionally, the track includes English SDH, Spanish, French, and Dutch subtitles in white drop-shadowed lettering, along with French and Spanish dubs in Dolby Digital 1.0.

Despite its age, the audio is remarkably clean, exhibiting excellent attenuation of historical imperfections such as crackles, clicks, hisses, or thumps. Subtle accents like footsteps and the turning of doorknobs are crisply pronounced, though occasionally these sounds skew toward being overly pronounced, sometimes resulting in a slight reverb and faint echo that can introduce an artificial hollowness. Nonetheless, atmospheric elements are generally well integrated, including scenes where rain effects maintain a realistic presence without overt distraction. The overall cleanliness and purity of the track underscore the quality of its restoration, ensuring that this classic film sounds better than ever before on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray edition of "Laura" boasts an impressive collection of extras, ported from the 2005 DVD with the addition of a short retrospective featuring interviews with film critics and historians. The two audio commentaries present a wealth of information: David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger's track is disjointed but insightful, while Rudy Behlmer provides an extensively detailed and compelling analysis. Two A&E biographical documentaries profile stars Gene Tierney and Vincent Price, offering in-depth looks at their lives and careers. The disc also features a deleted scene available with optional commentary, an extended version of the film, and a theatrical trailer. Each supplemental piece enriches the experience, making this a thorough and engaging offering for fans and scholars alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger: Insightful but disjointed.
• Commentary by Rudy Behlmer: Detailed production and biographical information.
• Biography Gene Tierney: A Shattered Portrait: TV biography highlighting her life and career.
• Biography Vincent Price: The Versatile Villain: Documentary with interviews on Price's diverse career.
• The Obsession: Short featurette discussing the film’s themes and production.
• Deleted Scene: Montage of Laura’s social ascent with optional commentary.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original preview in restored condition.
• Extended Movie Version: Includes the deleted montage sequence.

Otto Preminger's "Laura", a seminal work in film noir, stands out as one of Hollywood's most intriguing mysteries. The movie combines traditional noir elements with a sophisticated, glossy exterior that sets it apart from contemporaries like "Double Indemnity" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice". Although its visual style may deviate from the genre’s typical dark, shadowy settings, "Laura" excels with its thematic depth, exploring romantic obsession and the male compulsion to possess and control women. Gene Tierney’s Laura is idolized by all the male characters, creating an air of ambiguity that keeps viewers questioning their true motives. David LaShelle’s Academy Award-winning cinematography complements Preminger's direction, which presents each scene with an objectivity that lets the audience form their own judgments.

The narrative centers on Det. Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews), who investigates the murder of Laura Hunt through interviews and flashbacks that paint a complex picture of the deceased. Clifton Webb's performance as Waldo Lydecker, a caustically witty columnist, is the film's standout, delivering razor-sharp dialogue with a precision that brings a sophisticated tone to the movie. Vincent Price's portrayal of Shelby Carpenter and Judith Anderson as Laura’s aunt add layers to the whodunit with their intertwining motivations. The haunting score by David Raksin further augments the film’s hypnotic pull, drawing viewers into its web of deceit and emotional entanglement.

Preminger’s ability to blend sharp storytelling with rich character development makes "Laura" an enduring classic. The film’s polished surface and underlying psychological complexity invite multiple viewings to fully appreciate its subtle nuances and masterful mis-en-scene. The tightly woven script and first-class performances ensure that "Laura" remains as engaging and fresh today as it was upon its release nearly 70 years ago, solidifying its place in the pantheon of iconic noir films.

20th Century Fox’s Blu-ray release of "Laura" is an essential addition to any classic Hollywood mystery aficionado’s collection, especially those with a penchant for film noir. Otto Preminger’s masterpiece remains a sharp exploration of unhealthy obsession and manipulation, anchored by Academy Award-winning cinematography from Joseph LaShelle. With a memorable main theme by David Raksin that has inspired jazz musicians for generations, this film resonates deeply with its audience. The Blu-ray is essentially a port of the 2005 DVD with minor changes, but the visual and audio enhancements make it worthwhile. High-definition presents the film in all its glory, and Raksin’s score has never sounded better.

"Laura" boasts a cast led by Gene Tierney, whose iconic beauty radiates on screen, and supported by stellar performances from Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, and others. Preminger's direction showcases his early yet considerable talent in weaving a tightly-knit and stylish narrative. This Blu-ray release features a meticulous video transfer that preserves the sleek noir aesthetics, while a solid lossless audio track ensures the film’s acoustic elements are pristinely delivered. Additionally, the supplemental package is bountiful, catering to those who appreciate in-depth insights into classic cinema.

In conclusion, for fans of classic Hollywood mysteries and film noir, 20th Century Fox's "Laura" Blu-ray is simply a must-own release. Its sharp examination of obsession, combined with beautiful high-definition presentation and superb audio quality, makes it a valuable addition to any collection. Despite its temporary unavailability on Amazon, it is undoubtedly worth seeking out. Revel in Gene Tierney’s cinematic beauty and Preminger's directorial finesse – "Laura" is a Golden Age classic that demands to be treasured.