The Scarface Mob Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video presents "The Scarface Mob" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer, framed in the film's original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. This release, bolstered by a master supplied by Paramount Pictures, aims to capture the noir essence originally envisioned by director Philip Karlson and cinematographer Charles Straumer. Despite its aim for a more family-friendly version suitable for the late fifties' television audiences, the transfer shines in displaying deep blacks and secure contrasts. These elements work well to enhance the near-chiaroscuro techniques utilized throughout the film, particularly evident in its detailed portrayal of costumes and props under various lighting conditions. Nevertheless, the quality tends to waiver during montages, with noticeable spikes in grain and a slight loss in detail, hinting at the challenges inherent in preserving such a classic piece.

While the majority of the visuals maintain a commendable level of clarity and definition, particularly in vividly representing the gritty streets of Chicago with defined brickwork and glistening wet streets, there are undeniable flaws. Instances of age-related wear—such as minor scratches and what appears to be chemical blotches—betray the film’s age, despite being in relatively great shape overall. It’s clear that certain signs of deterioration were perhaps too challenging to fully remedy without compromising the original essence of the footage. Furthermore, while grain levels are kept in check, ensuring a generally polished appearance, some scenes demonstrate a less consistent application, varying from impressively detailed to slightly dulled or edgy due to mild filtering, affecting the gray scale and shadow delineation to a degree.

The Blu-ray transfer embodies a dual nature: on one hand, it respects and upholds the film’s original noir ambitions through its mostly meticulous preservation of detail and atmosphere; on the other, it reveals the unavoidable truth of the film's age through various imperfections. The presentation oscillates between striking sharpness and unfortunate but somewhat inevitable instances of visual degradation. Such discrepancies highlight both the achievements in contemporary restoration efforts and the inherent limitations when working with source materials marked by time’s passage.

The Scarface Mob's LPCM 2.0 Mono audio track proves to be a surprisingly spry and resilient presentation, particularly considering its origins as a television production, which is commendable for a format of this age. While the track mostly shines in its robustness, it's not without its minor flaws—sound effects such as gunshots exhibit a slightly boxy quality, subtly betraying the limitations of its era. Yet, these moments do little to detract from the overall clarity and cleanliness of the audio. The dialogue, notably including punchy narrations from Walter Winchell and Nelson Riddle's iconic yet absent theme music, is replaced by Wilbur Hatch's bombastic score. Hatch’s use of brass stands out, underscoring the drama effectively, even as certain artistic choices, like the use of an inauthentic Italian accent for Capone, might raise eyebrows among purists.

Technical delivery aside, the audio presentation demonstrates a strong commitment to preserving the sound quality of its time. There are no signs of popping or static interference, allowing for a clean listening experience throughout. Optional English subtitles add value by ensuring accessibility for all viewers. The score, though flagged by some as flat, benefits greatly from Hatch's expert composition, supporting the action without overwhelming the dialogue or on-screen events. A noticeable shift in audio quality aligns with a change in visual clarity approximately 30 minutes in, marking a brief deviation from consistency. However, this moment proves to be more an interesting footnote than a distraction, reinforcing the authenticity of the audio's vintage pedigree.

Overall, The Scarface Mob delivers an audio experience that is both authentic to its period and surprisingly vibrant, given its television roots and age. The mono track supports the film with clear dialogue and a striking score, making allowances for occasional aged sound effects and anachronistic accent choices. The deliberate maintenance and presentation of this audio track honor the original production’s essence while ensuring a pleasurable listening experience for contemporary audiences.

The "Scarface Mob" Blu-ray extras offer a rich exploration into the historical and cinematic context of Eliot Ness and the Untouchables, brought to life through two insightful HD video essays by David Cairns and Philip Kemp. While Cairns delves into the production background and director Phil Karlson's approach, Kemp shifts the focus to Ness's portrayal in media versus his real-life complexities, adding depth to the understanding of the film's foundation. Accompanying these essays is an array of visual material, including a high-definition theatrical trailer, extensive image galleries curated by Kelly Lynch, and a collection of posters and stills. The physical packaging enhances the collector's experience, featuring reversible artwork, a mini poster, lobby cards, and exclusive writing that further contextualizes the film's significance in cinema history.

Extras included in this disc:

• Gang Busters: A video essay by David Cairns with insights into the production and Ness's background.
• Philip Kemp on The Scarface Mob: An essay highlighting Ness’s media portrayals versus reality.
• Theatrical Trailer: A glimpse at the film's original promotion.
• Image Galleries: Collections of visual materials assembled by archivist Kelly Lynch.
• Posters: HD posters from the film’s promotion.
• Stills, Lobby Cards and Publicity Photos: High-definition gallery of promotional material.

In a landscape dominated by easily classifiable television genres, "The Scarface Mob" stands out not just as a pilot for what would become the legendary series "The Untouchables," but as a production that challenged the period's production boundaries and viewers’ sensibilities. This late 1950s creation emerged as an unexpected hit from the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse anthology, signaling an early instance of what would later become common practice in television pilot airing. Its success was a precursor to an era of television innovation, despite originating in a time characterized by its lack of it. Reflecting on its reception reveals a society grappling with depictions of violence and ethnic portrayals, which by today's standards, appear surprisingly mild yet were contentious at the time.

Characteristically, "The Scarface Mob" melds cinematic style with television format, offering a glossy noir-like aesthetic atypical of its era’s small-screen productions. Its storyline, centered on Eliot Ness (Robert Stack) and his pursuit of Al Capone (Neville Brand), is told with a mix of embellished law enforcement heroics and noirish flair. The production quality, said to be lavish for its television roots, alongside a dramatic musical score, elevates this narrative beyond its modest origins. The portrayal of characters swings between the extremes of gritty realism and caricature, particularly in the depiction of Capone by Neville Brand, whose performance veers into exaggeration yet captures the essence of Capone’s complex public persona.

Despite its departure from historical accuracy, particularly in highlighting Ness’s exaggerated impact on Capone’s downfall, "The Scarface Mob" presents an engaging narrative that blends entertainment with a critique of Prohibition-era America. It navigates the balance between fiction and reality, creating a vivid reimagining of this tumultuous period through the lens of 1950s television expectations and constraints. In doing so, it not only recounts the high-profile takedown of one of America's most notorious criminals but also reflects on the era's sociocultural dynamics and the evolving landscape of TV storytelling.

"The Scarface Mob," while taking liberal liberties with historical accuracy, presents an illustrated canvas of the tumultuous era of Chicago's prohibition, predominantly through the compelling performance of Robert Stack. As a product of its time, the violence depicted, which may have once sent shockwaves through the audience of 1959, now registers as somewhat subdued to the contemporary viewer. However, it's the film's position as a cultural artifact, sprung from the same creative well that introduced "The Twilight Zone" under the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse umbrella, that imbues it with a distinct charm. This connection not only showcases Desi Arnaz's diverse production prowess but also elevates "The Scarface Mob" beyond its narrative into a piece of television history.

Technical aspects of the Blu Ray presentation are commendably solid, ensuring that the film's vintage aspects are preserved while enhancing viewing pleasure for today’s audience. The supplemental material included is both informative and engaging, providing a deeper look into the production's background and its historical context, which fans and new viewers alike will find valuable. This rounded approach ensures that the Blu Ray offers more than just the film; it presents an experience enriched with historical insights and trivia that add layers to the appreciation of this classic.

Conclusively, "The Scarface Mob" Blu Ray excels in delivering a nostalgic journey back to a bygone era, wrapped in the allure of prohibition-era Chicago and supported by a standout performance from Robert Stack. While its portrayal of history may not hold up under scrutiny, its significance as a precursor to some of television's most iconic shows and its overall presentation—including a robust set of extras—make it a commendable addition to any cinephile's collection. The technical quality and supplementary content further enhance its value, making it a worthwhile investment for those interested in the intersection of historic cinematic artifacts and television evolution.