The Paradine Case Blu-ray Review
Score: 65
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
The Paradine Case offers a fascinating, albeit slow-paced, Hitchcock drama with strong performances and excellent Blu-ray presentation despite some video inconsistencies.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 55
The Paradine Case Blu-ray provides a solid 1080p/AVC presentation, with strong contrast, rich blacks, and clean whites that reveal intricate set details, despite fluctuating grain levels, image instability, and occasional speckles and scratches. It's the best the film has looked on home video.
Audio: 69
The DTS-HD Master Audio presentations, available in both 2.0 and 1.0 configurations, deliver clear, well-modulated sound for 'The Paradine Case,' effectively balancing dialogue, scores, and ambient effects; however, minor hiss and potential distortive extremes during high-volume orchestration are noted.
Extra: 77
The supplemental package for "The Paradine Case" Blu Ray is rich with insights from film historians, engaging interviews, and fascinating audio excerpts that delve into Hitchcock's creative process and the film's production challenges, highlighting crucial technical details such as miscasting and innovative cinematography.
Movie: 60
"The Paradine Case," directed by Alfred Hitchcock and overshadowed by producer David O. Selznick's heavy involvement, is a visually striking yet uneven courtroom drama that lacks the typical Hitchcock suspense, hampered by a disjointed script and miscast leads. Despite solid performances from Gregory Peck, Ann Todd, and an eclectic supporting cast, the film's pacing issues and subdued tension result in a less engaging experience.
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Video: 55
The AVC encoded 1080p transfer of "The Paradine Case" (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presents a generally compelling visual experience that showcases the excellence of Lee Garmes' cinematography while recognizing some limitations in preservation. The image delivers decent clarity, managing to capture intricate facial details, particularly in close-ups such as Gregory Peck's tense courtroom moments. The image quality boasts substantial grain that, although occasionally chunky, retains a cinematic texture. Whites are consistent and secure, enhancing the overall viewing experience with strong source material, albeit marred slightly by speckling and rare instances of damage.
Excellent contrast and black levels are a highlight, rendering deep blacks and richly detailed shadows that complement the film's dramatic tones and elaborate sets. Whites are impeccably bright without blooming, and the varied grays provide depth and background detail, though there is occasional instability in grain levels that can distract. While dust, dirt, and minor scratches are present, along with occasional noise in black levels during earlier low-light scenes, these imperfections do not eclipse the restoration's overall success. Fans of this Hitchcock-directed legal drama will find this the best rendition available on home video to date.
Audio: 69
The audio presentation of "The Paradine Case" on Blu-ray, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono sound mix, demonstrates a well-crafted balance, particularly in handling Franz Waxman's evocative score. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, which prominently features the rich and robust string-laden compositions, manages to fill the room effectively. However, the score occasionally edges towards its distortion limits, although it maintains essential instrumentation clarity.
Dialogue clarity is commendable, with distinct management of accents and intensity that allows for easy comprehension. The audio track features nuanced sound effects such as rain, wind, and footsteps, which complement the film's relatively quiet, dialogue-centric nature. Despite minor instances of hiss, the audio largely remains free from age-related defects like pops and crackles, seamlessly integrating into the film's overall fabric without drawing undue attention.
Extras: 77
The Blu-ray of "The Paradine Case" offers an exceptional range of extras that provide deep insights into both the production and creative process behind this Alfred Hitchcock film. Particularly compelling, the audio commentary by film historians Stephen Rebello and Bill Krohn brings to light the various production challenges and directorial choices, enhancing appreciation for this classic. Hitchcock’s own reflections, shared in audio interviews with François Truffaut and Peter Bogdanovich, reveal his critical perspectives on casting and script development. Additionally, personal anecdotes shared by Gregory Peck's children in "Conflict of Conscience" provide a touching glimpse into the actor's experiences. A vintage radio adaptation, restoration comparison, and theatrical trailer round out a robust supplemental package.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: Detailed discussions by Stephen Rebello and Bill Krohn.
- Hitchcock/Truffaut Interview: Audio insights from Hitchcock on the film’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Celia and Cary Peck Interview: Anecdotes from Gregory Peck’s children.
- Lux Radio Theater: A 1949 radio adaptation starring Joseph Cotten.
- Hitchcock/Bogdanovich Interview: In-depth conversation covering Hitchcock’s filmmaking philosophy.
- Restoration Comparison: Visual comparison of pre- and post-restoration versions.
- Theatrical Trailer: Original film preview.
Movie: 60
"The Paradine Case," directed by Alfred Hitchcock and nestled between his celebrated works "Notorious" and "Rope," presents a unique blend of courtroom drama and interpersonal conflict. Starring Gregory Peck as defense attorney Anthony Keane, the narrative unfolds around his infatuation with his client, Maddalena Paradine (Alida Valli), who is accused of murdering her husband. Despite Hitchcock's distinctive directorial flair, the movie bears a significant influence from producer David O. Selznick, whose incessant meddling often dulls the film's impact. The film showcases Hitchcock's ability to delve into the complexity of troubled marriages but lacks the cinematic ingenuity typical of his more famous works.
The movie's cast delivers commendable performances, with Peck conveying Keane's internal struggle and Ann Todd portraying his patient wife, Gay, with stoic grace. Charles Laughton stands out as the lascivious judge while Ethel Barrymore, in her brief but impactful role as the judge's mentally disturbed wife, earned an Oscar nomination despite many of her scenes being cut. Alida Valli and Louis Jourdan, though newly introduced stars at the time, hold their own despite Hitchcock’s reservations about their casting. The narrative focuses more on the personal underpinnings and motivations of its characters than the courtroom proceedings, a bold choice that sometimes frustrates initial viewing but pays off upon deeper scrutiny.
Technically, "The Paradine Case" is a visual delight with a lavish production, though it lacks Hitchcock's usual visual innovation. The multi-camera setup in the courtroom adds visual interest to an otherwise dialogue-heavy script. However, Selznick's sanitized screenplay and penchant for glamour over grit significantly soften the film's intended edge. Despite its shortcomings, "The Paradine Case" offers a polished yet subdued exploration of obsession and marital discord, worthy of attention for its layered performances and rich character portraits, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Hitchcock’s other masterpieces.
Total: 65
Alfred Hitchcock’s "The Paradine Case" stands as a complex blend of legal drama and character study, exploring themes of infidelity and marital dysfunction. Despite the measured pacing and occasionally verbose script, the film’s compelling narrative and impressive ensemble cast, featuring Gregory Peck, Charles Laughton, and Louis Jourdan, maintain a gripping presence. The story delves into the darker aspects of human emotion and moral conflict, deftly handled by Hitchcock, even if it lacks the suspense typical of his signature style.
The Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber boasts strong video and audio transfers, elevating the cinematic experience despite some minor inconsistencies in the visual quality. The supplements included in this edition are comprehensive, enriching the viewing experience and providing valuable context to this underappreciated Hitchcock work. Gregory Peck and Alida Valli exhibit commendable performances, yet it is Ann Todd who truly captivates with her portrayal of a wife in silent turmoil. Hitchcock’s directorial flourishes sporadically appear, though they are not enough to sustain the film’s momentum throughout the courtroom proceedings.
While "The Paradine Case" may not hold the same allure for casual Hitchcock fans due to its slow pace and limited suspense, it remains a significant piece for diehard admirers and classic movie enthusiasts. This Blu-ray edition ensures the film is accessible in its best possible form to date.
While Peck and Valli deliver fine work as a lawyer and his enigmatic client, it's Todd who walks away with the movie, communicating the utter, but silent, horror of a wife watching her husband tempted away, unsure how to appropriately defend her marriage. It's a sensational performance, and it's greatly missed once the trial begins. Hitchcock adds some visual flourishes here and there, but it's clear "The Paradine Case" isn't a passion project, with the whole picture losing steam the longer it draws out the case.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 70
The results remain compelling in 2017, delivering a satisfactory viewing experience with decent clarity, finding facial particulars throughout, with close-ups holding long enough to grasp thespian subtleties...
Audio: 70
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is pushed to the limits by the score, which just barely hangs on to basic instrumentation as it emerges loudly, threatening distortive extremes....
Extras: 90
An overview of script development for "The Paradine Case" is shared, along with candor from Hitchcock about the picture's miscasting, including Jourdan and Peck....
Movie: 60
An adaptation of a novel, "The Paradine Case" provides a host of supporting characters, but attention remains on the three leads, who carry an interesting dynamic, offering more screen intensity with subtle...
Total: 70
While Peck and Valli deliver fine work as a lawyer and his enigmatic client, it's Todd who walks away with the movie, communicating the utter, but silent, horror of a wife watching her husband tempted...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
Excellent contrast and clarity highlight the depth and artistry of Lee Garmes' cinematography, as well as the elaborate, ornate sets, but fluctuating grain levels and some image instability produce nagging...
Audio: 80
The Paradine Case is a relatively quiet, dialogue-driven film, so there's not much opportunity for the track to flex its muscles, but nuances like rain, wind, and footsteps nicely accent the proceedings....
Extras: 60
Hitchcock talks about endless script revisions, laments the story was changed to fit the personalities of Valli and Jourdan (both of whom were recent Selznick discoveries), labels actress Ann Todd as "cold,"...
Movie: 60
The Paradine Case isn't nearly as involving or entertaining as Billy Wilder's Witness for the Prosecution, which it closely resembles, and despite its first-rate cast and production values, it remains...
Total: 60
Though a talky script, measured pacing, and not enough suspense hamper the film, a good deal of substance and subtext - as well as an impressive cast led by Gregory Peck, Charles Laughton, and Louis Jourdan...
Home Theater Forum review by Matt HoughRead review here
Video: 70
At its best, the image is wonderfully sharp and detailed with a striking grayscale featuring rich blacks and clean whites and accurate contrast to bring out the intricacies of the elaborate sets and props....
Audio: 90
Dialogue has been well recorded and has been combined professionally with Franz Waxman’s haunting score and the appropriate sound effects without distortion....
Extras: 90
Celia and Cary Peck Interview (8:36, HD): two of Gregory Peck’s children individually discuss their father’s work in the film and what they recall him saying about the working experience....
Movie: 70
Gregory Peck certainly has the authority to hold forth in a courtroom (witness his Oscar-winning work in To Kill a Mockingbird), but he’s about as British as a Nebraska husking bee (Hitchcock had sought...
Total: 80
In telling the story of a successful married man brought down by his emotions getting in the way of his reason, the movie has more to offer than it’s generally been given credit for in the past....
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Gregory Peck, Ann Todd, Charles Laughton
PlotDistinguished barrister Anthony Keane is hired to defend the beautiful and enigmatic Mrs. Maddalena Anna Paradine, who is accused of poisoning her blind husband. As Keane delves into the case, he finds himself increasingly captivated by his alluring client, much to the distress of his loyal wife, Gay. The case unfolds amidst the sumptuous settings of London’s legal circles and country estates, with intricate interactions between the characters revealing hidden motives and past relationships. Keane's dedication to uncovering the truth leads him to visit the Paradine estate and question the household staff, including the mysterious valet André Latour.
As the trial proceeds, Keane's professional judgment becomes clouded by his growing obsession with Mrs. Paradine, jeopardizing his career and marriage. Tension mounts in the courtroom as revelations about Mrs. Paradine's past and her true feelings towards her husband come to light. Keane's struggle to balance his ethical duty and personal emotions culminates in dramatic courtroom confrontations. The story explores themes of love, betrayal, and justice, keeping viewers engrossed until the very end.
Writers: Robert Hichens, Alma Reville, David O. Selznick
Release Date: 13 Jul 1948
Runtime: 125 min
Rating: Approved
Country: United States
Language: English