Suspicion Blu-ray Review
Warner Archive Collection
Score: 63
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
'Suspicion' may not reach Hitchcock's pinnacle but remains a classic for its tension, style, and performances; Warner Archive's Blu-ray boasts exceptional video and audio.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 72
Warner Archive's 1080p AVC-encoded Blu-ray of 'Suspicion' delivers a sharp, detail-rich, film-like presentation with well-resolved grain, rich blacks, and excellent contrast, elevating the visual experience above prior releases despite minor distractions from the studio-shot backdrops.
Audio: 72
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track of 'Suspicion' delivers crystal-clear dialogue, and an expertly restored soundtrack free of hiss or pops. Franz Waxman's score is faithfully rendered with impressive dynamic range, filling the room with rich, well-modulated tones.
Extra: 31
Laurent Bouzereau's featurette on 'Suspicion' offers an informative and well-produced analysis with insights from notable critics and directors, contrasting with the lackluster quality of the theatrical trailer, making the extras a mixed but valuable experience for fans of Hitchcock's work.
Movie: 66
"Suspicion" on Blu-ray offers a captivating portrayal by Cary Grant under Alfred Hitchcock's direction, with a new 1080p transfer that enhances its expressive black-and-white photography. While Joan Fontaine's Oscar-winning performance stands out, the film's ending, altered from the original novel's shocking conclusion, remains controversial and somewhat unsatisfying.
Video: 72
The 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "Suspicion," mastered and restored by the Warner Archive Collection, brings new life to Harry Stradling Jr.'s Oscar-winning black-and-white cinematography. Starting from a fresh 2K scan of a fine-grain master positive made from the original nitrate camera negative, the result is a spectacularly sharp and detailed image. The distinction between the period detail of the McLaidlaw home and Johnnie's opulent house is now unmistakably clear. Character outfits, particularly Lina's, which shift to reflect her mental condition, are vividly highlighted. Famous scenes, like Johnnie's ominous walk up the stairs with a glass of milk, now resonate with greater intensity.
Technically, Warner Archive maintains its high standards by placing the feature on a BD-50 disc with an average bitrate of 34.92 Mbps. Blacks are thoroughly deep and solid, fitting for the film's formal wear. The grain is finely resolved, contributing to a genuinely film-like experience without being distracting. The elevated contrast and clarity lend the film a fresh, vibrant look, while good shadow delineation avoids any unwanted crush. Although the entire film was shot in a studio—which occasionally reveals painted backdrops—the overall visual fidelity of this Blu-ray release makes "Suspicion" look exceptionally polished. Minor flaws in the source material barely detract from this otherwise superior high-definition transfer.
Audio: 72
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track on the Blu-ray release of "Suspicion" is executed with impressive precision and attention to detail. The soundtrack, carefully encoded in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0, has been completely cleansed of any pops, clicks, or background hiss, retaining a smooth and clear quality remarkable for a recording from 1941. Every element of dialogue, including the memorable catchphrases of Beaky, is presented with crystal clarity. Additionally, the meticulous reproduction of sound effects provides an immersive experience that enhances the emotional depth of Lina's character.
Franz Waxman's score, known for its dynamic contrast between the upbeat motifs from Johann Strauss's Wiener Blut waltz and more ominous undertones, is beautifully rendered. The fidelity of Waxman's composition is exceptional, filling the room with lush, well-modulated tones and demonstrating an excellent dynamic range for its period. The mono track delivers a full-bodied sense of presence and depth, allowing the score to breathe and envelop the listener thoroughly. Overall, this mono track exemplifies how classic soundtracks can be rejuvenated for modern audiences while maintaining their original charm and integrity.
Extras: 31
The extras on the "Suspicion" Blu-ray offer an enriching look into Hitchcock's classic, though they are limited in number. The standout featurette, "Before the Fact: Suspicious Hitchcock," provides a comprehensive examination of the film's genesis and production. Esteemed industry figures, such as director Peter Bogdanovich and TCM's Robert Osborne, provide insightful commentary. Highlights include discussions of the original novel, the film's altered ending, and Franz Waxman's musical contributions, alongside amusing excerpts from the 1990s colorized version of the film. The only other supplement is the theatrical trailer, presented in standard definition. Despite its poor condition, Joan Fontaine's dramatic narration provides valuable context for the film’s suspenseful atmosphere.
Extras included in this disc:
- Before the Fact: Suspicious Hitchcock: An expert panel dissects the film’s creation and impact.
- Theatrical Trailer: A vintage preview narrated by Joan Fontaine.
Movie: 66
Suspicion, Alfred Hitchcock's perceptive examination of mistrust and emotional volatility, reveals Cary Grant in a remarkably unconventional role, diverging from his affable screen persona to embody the morally ambiguous Johnnie Aysgarth. His performance, richly layered and perpetually enigmatic, remains central to the narrative's intensity. Despite the resulting studio concerns over his image, Cary Grant's portrayal is hauntingly memorable, striking an effective balance between charm and threat. Joan Fontaine's character, Lina McLaidlaw, receives substantial recognition for her role that earned her an Academy Award—the only acting Oscar ever clinched in a Hitchcock film. The synergy between Grant’s unpredictably sinister Johnnie and Fontaine’s increasingly distressed Lina propels the film’s tightly woven tension.
The film’s narrative intricately explores Lina's spiraling suspicion following her impulsive marriage to Johnnie. With each revelation—Johnnie’s financial despair, compulsive lying, and dubious schemes involving his friend Beaky—the plot delves deeper into psychological territory. Grant and Fontaine's palpable on-screen friction enhances the portrayal of a relationship engulfed in intrigue and mistrass. However, where Suspicion falters is in its finale. Initially promising a dark conclusiveness infusing terror and tragedy akin to its literary source material (Francis Iles’ "Before the Fact"), the film instead gravitates towards a studio-directed ending that dilutes its potency.
Visually, the Blu-ray's transfer underscores the film’s expressive black-and-white aesthetics with precision, complementing expressions of mood and narrative finesse inherent in Hitchcock’s direction. This visual fidelity, coupled with the crisp audio presenting an encompassing soundscape, exemplifies the value of this release. Suspicion remains a substantial piece in Hitchcock's oeuvre, despite its polarizing conclusion. Undoubtedly, it cements Grant’s aptitude beyond his usual roles while showcasing Hitchcock’s mastery in evoking psychological dread—elements that collectively render this film a gripping exploration of doubt and fear.
Total: 63
Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of Alfred Hitchcock's "Suspicion" showcases a classic film that, despite its narrative ambiguities, stands as a significant work in Hitchcock's oeuvre. Joan Fontaine’s Oscar-winning performance as a paranoid wife worried her husband, played by Cary Grant, might be plotting her demise is a standout. However, the film struggles to definitively characterize Grant’s role, oscillating between hero and villain and leading to an uneven story. Nonetheless, it adeptly creates an atmosphere of suspense, and its remarkable style and strong performances nearly compensate for its frustrating conclusion.
The technical presentation of "Suspicion" on Blu-ray is noteworthy. The video transfer is gorgeous, maintaining excellent clarity and details that truly enhance the viewing experience. The audio is equally impressive, providing clear dialogue and an immersive soundscape that supports the film's tension-filled scenes. The disc also includes an engaging making-of featurette that offers valuable insights into the film's production, further solidifying its appeal for fans of both Hitchcock and classic cinema.
Unlike "The Wrong Man" and "I Confess," lesser-known entries in Hitchcock's filmography, "Suspicion" is easily ranked among his classics previously released in sets by Universal and MGM. Warner Archive Collection (WAC) may have taken its time with this release, but the results are well worth the wait. Highly recommended.
Blu-ray.com review by Michael ReubenRead review here
Video: 90
After significant restoration and clean-up, the new master recreates the Aysgarths' world with a degree of sharpness and detail that will be a revelation to those who have only seen indifferent television...
Audio: 90
Suspicion's mono soundtrack, encoded in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0, has been thoroughly purged of any pops, clicks or background hiss, and it sounds remarkably good for a 1941 recording....
Extras: 50
Among the highlights are excerpts from the colorized version of Suspicion created by Turner Films, which, especially after watching WAC's new Blu-ray, are laughably bad....
Movie: 80
Indeed, so effective was Grant at playing a reprobate that the studio, RKO Radio Pictures, grew fearful of damaging the beloved star's sterling reputation and fought with Hitchcock for changes in the film....
Total: 80
Unlike The Wrong Man and I Confess, which are lesser known entries in Hitchcock's filmography, Suspicion is a landmark film, easily ranked among the classics previously released in sets by Universal and...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Unfortunately, 'Suspicion' was entirely studio shot (even the "exteriors" were filmed on a soundstage), so the heightened sharpness calls undue attention to painted backdrops and fake tundra, but aside...
Audio: 80
Franz Waxman's lushly romantic (and often melodramatic) score sounds especially good, filling the room with lush, well-modulated tones, and a wide dynamic scale allows it to fully breathe....
Extras: 20
Topics include the background of the original novel, the decision to alter the ending, the relationship between Hitchcock and Grant, the contributions of composer Franz Waxman to this and other Hitchcock...
Movie: 60
Legend has it the picture's ending (which I won't divulge here) was changed at the last minute to placate a studio that worried filmgoers wouldn't accept debonair heartthrob Cary Grant as a despicable,...
Total: 60
'Suspicion' may have won Joan Fontaine a Best Actress Oscar, but the story of a paranoid wife who worries her ne'er-do-well husband wants to murder her for her money can't decide whether its central male...
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Actors: Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Cedric Hardwicke
PlotLina McLaidlaw, a shy and wealthy woman, meets the charming and charismatic Johnnie Aysgarth on a train. Despite her father’s reservations, Lina falls in love and quickly marries Johnnie. It isn't long before she discovers that Johnnie is irresponsible with money and has a penchant for gambling. Her unease grows when Johnnie's lies about his financial stability come to light. Matters take a darker turn when their friend Beaky dies under suspicious circumstances during a business trip with Johnnie, raising Lina's doubts about her husband’s intentions.
As Lina's suspicion melds with fear, she is increasingly convinced that Johnnie may be plotting to kill her for her inheritance. She becomes more isolated, tormented by thoughts of betrayal and impending danger. Lina's attempts to confront Johnnie lead to more evasions and cryptic answers, further deepening the chasm of mistrust between them.
Writers: Samson Raphaelson, Joan Harrison, Alma Reville
Release Date: 14 Nov 1941
Runtime: 99 min
Rating: Approved
Country: United States
Language: English