City of Fear Blu-ray Review

Indicator/Powerhouse Films delivers "City of Fear" on Blu-ray, presenting the movie in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with an MPEG-4 AVC 1080p transfer, courtesy of a relatively aged but commendable master provided by Sony Pictures. Despite its provenance from an older source, the video quality impresses, striking a pleasing balance between preserving the film's original aesthetic and enhancing it for the high-definition format. Viewers will note minor density fluctuations and some delineation issues, yet these hardly detract from the overall high-definition viewing experience. The film's visual integrity, particularly when projected, holds up admirably, showcasing the efficacy of the transfer despite the inevitable signs of its age.

The grayscale quality merits particular mention; it stands out as a strong point in this release. Blacks are deep and true without appearing artificially enhanced, and the whites and grays maintain a robust and healthy appearance. This is consistent with the quality observed in Columbia noir titles remastered by Sony Pictures at the tail end of the DVD era, affirming a legacy of solid grayscale rendition in these films. Moreover, the image stability is commendable, free from significant distractions such as large debris, cuts, damage marks, or any issues with warped or torn frames, ensuring a clean and stable presentation throughout.

It is important for prospective buyers to note that this is a Region-B locked Blu-ray release. This necessitates either a native Region-B or Region-Free Blu-ray player for playback, potentially limiting accessibility for some audiences. Despite these minor caveats, "City of Fear" on Blu-ray stands as a testament to the care and dedication involved in bringing classic cinema to modern audiences in the best possible light, offering a visually pleasing experience that honors the film’s legacy while making it accessible to high-definition enthusiasts.

The audio component of the "City of Fear" Blu-ray release is delivered through an English LPCM 1.0 track, a decision that stays true to its mono origins and preserves the film's auditory integrity from its initial release era. Accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles, the audio track presents itself without any discernible flaws or disturbances, ensuring that the dialogue, ambient sounds, and the memorable score by Jerry Goldsmith are conveyed with clarity and fidelity. This impeccable maintenance of audio quality ensures that viewers are treated to an authentic listening experience, akin to what was originally intended.

Despite the inherent limitations of a mono track, the LPCM 1.0 impressively handles the nuances of the film's sound design. The early work of Jerry Goldsmith stands out, offering a score that, while modest in dynamic range, significantly enhances the atmosphere and tension of the narrative. Alongside the music, the track skillfully balances various elements, from dialogue to ambient city sounds, creating an engaging auditory backdrop. This careful balance and preservation of audio details underline the release's respect for original soundscapes and the importance of accurate sound reproduction in classic films.

While dynamic contrasts might not reach the heights found in contemporary multi-channel audio tracks, the release cleverly utilizes its single-channel setup to produce a surprisingly rich and immersive sound environment. The soundtrack's clarity and stability are noteworthy, ensuring that viewers can appreciate both the subtleties of Goldsmith's composition and the ambient sounds that bring the cityscape to life. This fidelity not only honors the film’s original auditory experience but also showcases how even a 1.0 track can deliver a captivating and nuanced sound presentation when properly mastered and presented.

The extras on the Blu Ray edition of "City of Fear" provide a commendable array of content, meticulously curated to enhance the viewing experience and appreciation of the film's historical and cultural context. From the remastered vintage trailer to a range of short films, including propaganda pieces and a Three Stooges comedy, the selection is diverse. Remarkably, it features engaging audio content like Christopher Nolan's exploration of noir in "Pulp Paranoia" and an insightful new commentary by Adrian Martin. The inclusion of a comprehensive, limited edition 120-page book filled with new essays and archival materials further distinguishes this Blu Ray as essential for enthusiasts and scholars alike. This collection not only pays homage to "City of Fear" but also offers a rich exploration of its era, genre, and influence.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Remastered vintage trailer for City of Fear.
• Christopher Nolan: Pulp Paranoia: Archival audio program discussing noir films.
• Commentary: Exclusive new audio commentary by Adrian Martin.
• Image Gallery: Collection of vintage promotional materials.
• The Autobiography of Jeep: Propaganda short by Irving Lerner with optional commentary.
• Hymn of the Nations: Uncut presentation of the censored short from a 2K remaster.
• The Cummington Story: Short film about immigrants in Massachusetts.
• Oil's Well That Ends Well: Comedy short featuring the three stooges.
• Book: Limited edition 120-page book with essays, articles, interviews, and film credits.

Irving Lerner's 1959 film, "City of Fear," has made a compelling return to the screen in a Blu-ray edition released by Indicator/Powerhouse Films. This iteration, enriched with supplemental features including a new audio commentary by Adrian Martin and an archival program featuring Christopher Nolan, offers enthusiasts a chance to delve deeper into this classic paranoid film noir. The film is presented in English, supplemented with optional English SDH subtitles, catering to a wider audience while remaining region-B locked.

"City of Fear" unfolds the gripping tale of Vince Ryker (played by Vince Edwards), an escaped convict mistakenly believing he's stolen a canister of pure heroin, intending to exchange it for a fresh start in life. As Ryker traverses the landscape of Los Angeles, the city unknowingly sits on the brink of disaster, with Ryker's canister actually containing processed Cobalt-60, capable of annihilating the city. Under Lerner’s direction, the screenplay by Steven Rich and Robert Dillon transitions from a potential crime saga into a riveting narrative of impending colossal disaster. Notably, cinematographer Lucien Ballard’s work excellently complements Lerner's storytelling, capturing Los Angeles’ essence through a series of interesting locales as the tension crescendos.

Critically, however, the movie navigates its course with a palpable undercurrent of unease, owing much to its low-budget roots and distinct stylistic divergence from Lerner's earlier work, "Murder by Contract." While comparisons can be drawn in terms of production values, "City of Fear" sets itself apart through a relentless drive to engross its audience in the paranoia and looming dread of its narrative. The film, albeit criticized for skimping on police procedural details crucial for tracing a high-risk fugitive like Ryker, effectively underscores the catastrophic domino effect of his actions. This chilling portrayal is significantly elevated by Jerry Goldsmith’s embryonic yet evocative score, marking a film that remains unsettlingly relevant in its warning against unforeseen disasters.

The Blu-ray presentation of "City of Fear," being part of Indicator/Powerhouse Films' Columbia Noir #3 box set, offers a cohesive viewing experience that underscores the film's relevance in today's climate. Through a master supplied by Sony Pictures, we find the restoration to be of substantial quality, bringing forth the intense paranoia that is deeply embedded within the narrative. This paranoia is not only a product of its time but resonates profoundly in our current, chaotic society, rendering the film strikingly pertinent.

"City of Fear" shares a bill with "The Sniper," creating a cinematic journey that explores realistic and disturbing scenarios of fear and disturbance. The technical execution on the Blu-ray enhances these themes, providing clarity and immersion, making these 1950s narratives alarmingly applicable in the modern context. The collection benefits from Sony's adept sourcing, ensuring a high caliber visual and auditory experience that does justice to the film's atmospheric tension and thematic depth.

In conclusion, our review recognizes the Blu-ray release of "City of Fear" within the Columbia Noir #3 box set as highly recommended. The combination of technical prowess in restoration and the film's timeless exploration of paranoia serves as a compelling watch. For aficionados of classic cinema and connoisseurs of noir, this addition to your collection will not only offer entertainment but also poignant commentary on human psychology and societal fears, seamlessly bridging the past with contemporary concerns.