The Lodger Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Lodger," encoded in AVC, boasts an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, providing an overall satisfactory HD experience. While the upgrade from previous DVD releases is noticeable, the enhancement isn't as dramatic as one might expect. The film, cloaked in a foggy aesthetic, maintains a decent level of detail and texture, particularly evident in the costuming and set decoration. Sharpness, although improved, doesn't always reach optimal levels, attributable partly to age-related degradation of the source material. The greyscale’s performance is commendable, but true blacks are somewhat lacking.

The transfer’s greyscale is proficient, managing the film’s fog-encased scenes with adequate clarity and contrast. Close-ups reveal striking details on the actors' faces, displaying fine textures and nuances. Despite these strengths, there are consistent visual artifacts including scratches and speckling, occasionally detracting from the viewing experience. The encode capably handles shadowy scenes, ensuring that delineation remains intact throughout. Overall, while not a definitive restoration, this Blu-ray release succeeds in preserving much of the film's original visual charm.

The audio presentation of "The Lodger" on Blu-ray features a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix which, while indicative of Golden Era Hollywood productions, exhibits several age-related issues. Dialogue is generally clear, allowing the narrative to unfold without significant intelligibility problems. However, users will notice that volume levels fluctuate throughout, particularly during reel changes, which can be a distracting experience. This inconsistency in sound levels contributes to an uneven listening experience, impacting the overall audio quality. While musical performances occasionally fare better, offering well-defined vocals, scoring often reaches distortive extremes that eliminate instrumental nuances.

Additionally, the sound mix is characterized by persistent hiss and pops, common in older film prints, which detract from immersion. Hugo Friedhofer’s atmospheric score and sound effects do punctuate moments effectively when they are not overshadowed by the technical flaws. Despite occasional clear sections and an effective combination of dialogue and music, the audio presentation remains marred by these persistent and disruptive elements. The presence of brief dropouts further exacerbates the inconsistent auditory experience, highlighting the challenging preservation of this classic film's soundscape.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Lodger" provide an exceptional depth of historical, technical, and creative insights into this classic film. The standout feature is the comprehensive commentary by Gregory William Mank, offering detailed analysis of the film's direction, cinematography, and cast. In contrast, the second commentary by Alain Silver and James Ursini falls short, providing less insightful and poorly prepared remarks. Additionally, "The Man in the Attic" featurette and vintage radio show starring Vincent Price enrich your understanding of the film's context and its historical significance. The restoration comparison sequence aptly showcases the diligent efforts to preserve the film’s original integrity. Finally, the inclusion of an animated montage of promotional materials and a theatrical trailer adds visual enjoyment to this thorough package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Gregory William Mank's analysis on technical and acting details.
• Commentary #2: Alain Silver and James Ursini’s critique.
• The Man in the Attic: Featurette on film challenges and historical context.
• The Lodger Vintage Radio Show: Audio production with Vincent Price.
• Restoration Comparison: Split screen shots exhibiting the restoration process.
• Animated Montage of Images: Collection of promotional materials in a slideshow.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original movie trailer.

John Brahm’s 1944 film, "The Lodger," emerges as a significant portrayal of the Jack the Ripper narrative, articulating a nuanced exploration of moral and mental disintegration set against the misty backdrop of Victorian London. Brahm crafts a rich tapestry of suspense and gothic horror, favoring expressionistic cinematography to present the deranged yet eerie elegance of Mr. Slade (Laird Cregar), who rents a room in the Bonting household. The screenplay by Barre Lyndon smartly centers on Slade’s maniacal tendencies coupled with a personal vendetta rooted in family trauma, providing a captivating psychological study cloaked in cinematic dread.

Cregar’s performance is nothing short of mesmerizing, embodying the volatile suppressions and emerging malevolence of Slade with an artistry that evokes both pity and horror. Merle Oberon shines as Kitty Langley, adding layers of charm and magnetism, albeit her role existing primarily as an enticing tangent to Slade’s sinister narrative. The film benefits significantly from the atmospheric direction, with Lucien Ballard’s cinematography leveraging fog and ominous shadows to evoke a palpable sense of entrapment—epitomized in a haunting sequence where Slade's frantic escape interplays with scaffolding shadows, symbolizing his internal chaos.

The supporting cast contributes effectively to this layered storytelling—George Sanders delivers a markedly restrained performance as Detective Inspector John Warwick, contrasting sharply with his typically sardonic screen presence. Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Sara Allgood bring depth to their roles as the Bontings, engaging the audience with their conflicting perceptions about their mysterious lodger. Although constrained by the Production Code of its time, Brahm’s direction masterfully implies brutality through off-screen violence accompanied by tense soundscapes. This indirect approach culminates in a climactic showdown wherein the film intensifies dramatically while staying within the era’s censorship limitations, showcasing Brahm's deft touch in building tension and sustaining suspense.

The Lodger on Blu-ray presents a captivating journey into Gothic suspense, expertly directed by John Brahm. The film delves into the psychological depths of its characters, showcasing Brahm's unique approach to storytelling. The visuals maintain a classic noir aesthetic, leveraging chiaroscuro lighting and meticulously crafted sets to evoke a haunting atmosphere. The performances are exceptional, particularly Laird Cregar, whose portrayal of the enigmatic Mr. Slade brings a chilling intensity to the character's internal torment.

Technically, the Blu-ray does not offer a flawless presentation, yet it preserves the film's essence admirably. While some viewers might notice minor imperfections in the video and audio quality, these do not significantly detract from the overall experience. The transfer maintains respectable clarity and detail, ensuring that the film’s moody cinematography can be appreciated fully. The audio track, though not pristine, effectively conveys the tension and drama integral to this suspenseful narrative.

The Lodger evolves into a detective story, with Scotland Yard on the case, gathering clues around town as victims pile up. However, the picture is stronger in more contemplative moments, studying the evil churning inside Slade before he kills again. Brahm creates a nightmare space for The Lodger, and he toys with tension effectively, constructing a different consideration of Jack the Ripper's motivation and rampage, employing an unusual mix of unease and understanding. A beautifully produced and expertly acted Gothic thriller, The Lodger is a masterful suspense picture from the Golden Age of Hollywood. While the Blu-ray doesn’t quite offer a pristine video and audio encode, the release still comes with a firm recommendation.