Beloved Infidel Blu-ray Review

Twilight Time’s Blu-ray release of "Beloved Infidel" offers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The image quality is notably sharp and well-defined across most scenes, highlighting the film’s meticulous craftsmanship. However, the transfer suffers from persistent ringing, particularly noticeable in beachside scenes with bright backgrounds, where it slightly detracts from the overall visual experience. The elements used for the transfer are generally in excellent condition, presenting only minor age-related wear and tear.

Colors in this transfer are accurate and well-saturated, although they appear slightly faded. This subtle fading does not significantly impact the viewing experience but is noticeable upon closer inspection. Stock footage incorporated into the film is noticeably grainier and less pristine than the primary footage, which creates a small but evident disparity in visual quality. An example is the pan across the harbor during the opening credits, where the camera operator’s instability might warrant some viewer discomfort. Despite these minor issues, the video presentation remains largely commendable, delivering a faithful representation of the film's original 1950s allure.

The Blu-ray release of "Beloved Infidel" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 4.0 mix that emphasizes a refined audio presentation with well-defined dialogue and a clear separation across the front soundstage. While the use of the rear channels remains restrained, Franz Waxman's score impressively populates all four channels, creating a rich and full-bodied auditory experience. The dynamic range, although somewhat limited, offers occasional bursts that enhance the emotional depth of the film’s pivotal moments.

The inclusion of an isolated score track for Waxman’s music allows audiences to appreciate the lush orchestrations in a dedicated 2.0 stereo format. Waxman's melodramatic score, characterized by swelling strings and romantic themes, aligns perfectly with the film’s narrative, albeit some might find the title song less effective. Despite these limitations, the main audio mix remains robust, delivering a sound experience that complements the visual presentation effectively.

Moreover, the Blu-ray’s subtitle options include English SDH, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience. Although additional extras like documentaries or featurettes would have enriched the home viewing experience, Twilight Time’s release maintains high standards with well-executed audio fidelity and comprehensive liner notes by Julie Kirgo. This attention to detail reinforces the overall quality of the audio presentation, making it a solid offering for enthusiasts of classic cinema.

The extras on the Blu Ray edition of "Beloved Infidel" offer a compact yet comprehensive look into the film’s supplementary features. The Theatrical Trailer, narrated by Gregory Peck, is a nostalgic throwback, filled with memorable lines such as “He took her by the hand and led her to breathless fulfillment.” The disc also features an Isolated Score by Franz Waxman, delivered in crisp DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, providing an immersive listening experience replete with some spoken cue numbers. Lyricist Paul Francis Webster’s excitement over his assignment to write a song specifically titled "Beloved Infidel" is palpable, adding a layer of historical and artistic context to the collection.

Extras included in this disc:

Theatrical Trailer: Hilariously narrated by Gregory Peck with classic lines.
Isolated Score: Franz Waxman's expressive score with DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
Song Assignment: Commentary on Paul Francis Webster's thrill about writing "Beloved Infidel."

"Beloved Infidel," starring Gregory Peck and Deborah Kerr, presents a fascinating but flawed look at the late-life romance between literary giant F. Scott Fitzgerald and gossip columnist Sheilah Graham. The film captures the time period with its polished CinemaScope widescreen format, yet its sanitized portrayal of Hollywood in the 1930s and its protagonists leaves much to be desired. Peck, typically associated with roles that exude altruism, struggles to convey the deeply troubled and haunted nature of Fitzgerald. Similarly, Kerr’s performance as Graham lacks the real-life grit and ambition of the woman who rose from poverty to become a notable figure in Hollywood’s social circles.

The screenplay by Sy Bartlett fails to delve into crucial emotional contexts, notably glossing over Zelda Fitzgerald's mental instability with minimal exposition. This omission leaves the narrative feeling strangely dissociative, detaching it from the very elements that could have delivered compelling drama. Instead, what should have been a biting exploration of a complicated relationship is rendered as a glossy, yet somewhat vacant melodrama.

Echoing the "A Star is Born" archetype, "Beloved Infidel" depicts Graham's ascendance in Hollywood while her lover fades into obscurity. However, unlike "A Star is Born," this film lacks the visceral emotional impact needed to connect with the audience on a deeper level. It remains a curiously clean and pristine depiction of a world known for its darker underbelly, making it seem more like a superficial love story than a serious biographical film. While the Blu-ray release from Twilight Time ensures the viewing experience is visually stunning, it does little to resolve the narrative shortcomings that make "Beloved Infidel" feel ultimately disconnected from its subject matter.

"Beloved Infidel," directed by Henry King, is a polished yet flawed film adaptation of the tumultuous affair between F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sheilah Graham. While the film benefits from its glossy production values, this very polish robs it of the emotional depth and grit expected from such a narrative. The casting choices, particularly of Gregory Peck and Deborah Kerr, who are miscast in their respective roles, further exacerbate the lack of authenticity. Peck and Kerr struggle to generate the necessary chemistry to elevate the story beyond a high-brow melodrama.

While "Beloved Infidel" might not ascend into the annals of classic cinema, it finds a niche within Twilight Time's Blu-ray offerings. This label excels in highlighting musical scores, and Franz Waxman's contribution here stands out as a primary draw. The isolated score track is lush and evocative, providing a worthwhile experience for audiophiles and fans of classic film scores alike. The transfer quality is commendable, presenting the film in what is likely the best format it will ever receive, preserving both visual and auditory elements with noticeable precision.

In conclusion, "Beloved Infidel" may fall short as a cinematic masterpiece, but this Blu-ray release redeems its value significantly through exceptional technical reproduction and an exquisite soundtrack. For collectors and enthusiasts of film scores, this edition offers substantial merit despite the film’s inherent dramatic shortcomings.