The Paris Express Blu-ray Review

"The Paris Express" is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The visual quality is impressive, reflecting the meticulous care taken by ClassicFlix. The film's Technicolor presentation exudes vibrancy, with colors largely well-saturated despite occasional variances in color temperature. Scenes with a blue undertone appear cooler, while those emphasizing reds look warmer. Such temperature differences, though noticeable, do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. Grain appears natural, though it occasionally acquires a slightly yellow tint, likely due to the frequent optical dissolves used in the film’s production.

The clarity and detail are generally satisfying, ensuring that the film's vintage charm is enhanced rather than obscured. Sharpness is well-executed, and contrast levels are maintained consistently throughout the presentation, leading to strong black levels that contribute to the depth of the image. Although there are intermittent occurrences of minor damage and dust specks, these are minimal and rarely distract from the enjoyment of the film. With its beautiful Technicolor cinematography, expertly handled by Otto Heller, "The Paris Express" offers a commendable visual experience on Blu-ray, making it an essential pick for enthusiasts of classic cinema.

The audio presentation of "The Paris Express" on Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix. While the mix is generally solid in providing clear and effective support for dialogue and sound effects, it exhibits minor issues in the higher registers. For instance, the fanfare accompanying the Eros Films masthead can occasionally sound slightly brash. However, train sounds, a prominent audio element throughout the film, are rendered authentically and add to the immersive experience.

Benjamin Frankel's score is a standout component of this audio track. Despite its era, the music is blended seamlessly with the dialogue and sound effects, contributing significantly to the film's atmosphere. However, there are some age-related artifacts to be aware of; a slight hiss becomes noticeable from the midpoint of the film onwards, and an occasional pop may be heard. These elements, while present, do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the audio presentation. At the very end, there appears to be a snippet of score missing, presumably due to source material limitations. Despite these minor imperfections, the audio track remains robust and enhances the viewing experience effectively.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Paris Express" provide an insightful and engaging dive into the film's production and historical context. Despite a lack of supplementary materials such as director commentaries or behind-the-scenes footage, the available features offer valuable perspectives. The technical quality of the features is commendable, with clarity in both audio and visual presentation, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience. The accompanying booklets and interviews enrich the overall understanding of the film, although the absence of certain expected extras leaves room for enhancement.

Extras included in this disc:

The Making of The Paris Express: An in-depth documentary on the production process. Vintage Interviews: Archived interviews with the cast and crew. Original Theatrical Trailer: The film's original promotional trailer.

"The Paris Express," also known as "The Man Who Watched Trains Go By," masterfully adapts Georges Simenon's gripping 1938 novel into a visually striking film helmed by Harold French. Featuring Claude Rains as Kees Popinga, the unassuming Dutch bookkeeper, and Herbert Lom as his duplicitous boss Julius de Koster Jr., this film dives into themes of deceit, desperation, and moral decay. Popinga's descent begins when he learns of de Koster's financial misconduct and subsequent escape plan with his mistress Michele (Märta Torén). An impromptu confrontation leaves de Koster dead and Popinga in possession of stolen money, setting him on an uncharacteristic quest to Paris under the constant shadow of French detective Lucas (Marius Goring).

The narrative intertwines complex chess metaphors, coincidental encounters, and Popinga's tragic fall from grace, all while maintaining a palpable undercurrent of suspense. The Technicolor cinematography showcases Paris' allure, juxtaposing Popinga's bland life with his newfound chaotic existence. Despite excellent ensemble performances—highlighting the desperate earnestness of Rains, the femme fatale charm of Torén, and Goring’s tenacious detective—some plot points strain credulity. Popinga's abrupt transformation and misplaced trust in Michele's manipulative motives leave viewers questioning his moral collapse. The omission of his family in major plot sequences further distances emotional investment from his tragic trajectory.

Overall, "The Paris Express" balances strong character portrayals and effective direction with intriguing yet occasionally disjointed storytelling. While Harold French captures intricate plot dynamics, he falls short of fully explaining Popinga’s rapid unraveling. Viewers are left to wrestle with the nebbish protagonist’s naive decisions amidst a web of deceit and looming madness. The film ultimately thrives on its engaging performances and stylistic execution, making it a compelling, albeit imperfect, descent into chaos and illusion.

"The Paris Express," released on Blu-ray by ClassicFlix, offers a visually stunning rendition of this lesser-known gem. The Technicolor transfer captures the film’s picturesque settings and period ambiance with remarkable clarity and depth. Colors are vibrant yet natural, showcasing both rich hues and subtler shades with precision. Sound quality maintains fidelity to its era; the digitally restored audio track is impressively clear, ensuring dialogue is intelligible and sound effects are crisp. While there are occasional pops or hisses typical of films of this age, these instances are minimal and do not detract from the overall auditory experience.

Claude Rains’ performance as the unassuming yet increasingly unhinged protagonist is exemplary, although some may find the plot pivots somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, his portrayal imbues the character with a compelling mix of vulnerability and barely concealed desperation. The narrative, though not without its contrivances, offers a captivating glimpse into a man's psychological unraveling under extraordinary circumstances. Supporting characters add depth and nuance to the story, making "The Paris Express" as much a study in character as it is a dramatic thriller.

I was genuinely intrigued if not always outright surprised by some of the plot dynamics at play in The Man Who Watched Trains Go By, a lot of which has to do with Rains' nice portrayal of an everyday shmoe suddenly taken over by his raging Id. There are a few too many convenient contrivances for this to really work as a mystery, but as a character study it's often quite compelling. ClassicFlix has delivered another niche film with very good to excellent technical merits, and The Man Who Watched Trains Go By comes Recommended.