The Sound of Fury Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Sound of Fury," presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, offers a stunning 1080p high-definition transfer that showcases the film's visual integrity superbly. The recent restoration and reconstruction by the Film Noir Foundation, with assistance from Paramount Pictures, has ensured a magnificent viewing experience. Image stability is generally excellent, with depth and clarity remaining consistently outstanding. Shadow definition during nighttime scenes is particularly impressive, and there are no concerning traces of degraining or edge-enhancement issues.

The contrast in the black-and-white imagery is striking, with inky black levels and strong shadow details enriching the visual experience. The grayscale is well-balanced, allowing a range of nuanced grays to come through naturally. Some minor density fluctuations occur, most notably around the 26:45 mark, but these are barely noticeable and do not detract from the overall quality. The film boasts an excellent range of natural grain with no excessive digital manipulation. Any large debris, damage marks, cuts, and stains have been meticulously removed, giving the print a pristine appearance.

Additional technical excellence is evident in the accuracy of framing at 1.37:1 and consistent broadcast quality. Whether projected on a large screen or viewed on a smaller setup, the visual details hold up remarkably well. The film's runtime clocks in at 92 minutes, encapsulating compelling exterior scenes shot on location in Arizona and California by cinematographer Guy Roe, adding authenticity to the presentation. Overall, this transfer is outstanding, providing film enthusiasts with a rich and immersive visual experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Sound of Fury" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, complemented by optional yellow English subtitles. The audio has undergone thorough remastering, which significantly enhances depth and clarity. Age-related imperfections such as hiss, crackle, and buzz have been meticulously removed, ensuring a clean and engaging listening experience. Hugo Friedhofer's dramatic score breathes naturally, with balance meticulously maintained even during the most intense scenes. There are no sudden spikes or drops in dynamic activity, ensuring a seamless audio experience devoid of dropouts or distortions.

Despite the minimal stereo separation expected from a 2.0 track, the fidelity is impressive. Dialogue remains consistently clear and intelligible, free from any age-related anomalies that could detract from the viewing experience. Furthermore, the music is rendered beautifully, adding to the film’s immersive quality. The attention to detail in audio remastering truly enhances the overall presentation, making this Blu-ray release a commendable effort in preserving and showcasing "The Sound of Fury."

The Blu-ray release of "The Sound of Fury" is wholly devoid of any supplemental features, making it a bare-bones offering with no additional content for viewers. The absence of extras such as behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews, commentary tracks, or deleted scenes is a noticeable omission. This lack means that enthusiasts and film historians looking to delve deeper into the movie and its production context will find no additional material to enrich their viewing experience. The technical quality of the main feature may still satisfy purists; however, the inability to explore more of the film's background or to hear insights from those involved in its creation is a marked shortcoming.

Extras included in this disc:

• None: No supplemental material available.

Cy Endfield's Try and Get Me! (1950), originally titled The Sound of Fury, has been rediscovered on Blu-ray by Olive Films, featuring excellent audio and video restorations from Paramount, supported by the Film Noir Foundation. This forgotten gem delivers a harrowing narrative about the American Dream's dark underside, brilliantly portrayed through Frank Lovejoy's Howard Tyler—an Army veteran desperate to support his family—and Lloyd Bridges' Jerry Slocum—a charismatic but dangerous hoodlum. Their ill-fated partnership unfolds in a series of petty crimes escalating to a kidnapping gone awry, leading to a nerve-racking climax. Bridges’ portrayal of Jerry is chillingly magnetic, embodying a predator’s power that paralyzes those around him. Lovejoy captures the tragic trajectory of a man overwhelmed by circumstances beyond his control.

Try and Get Me! is not merely an edge-of-the-seat noir thriller; it is a profound commentary on societal manipulation and mob mentality. Richard Carlson’s role as an ambitious reporter underscores the media's power to whip up public emotion to explosive, and sometimes deadly, effect. The film reaches its dramatic zenith with a brutally realistic finale reminiscent of documentary footage, making for an unsettling yet captivating watch. Endfield masterfully directs the chaotic crowd scenes, lending them an almost palpable tension that complements the film’s grim atmosphere.

The atmospheric tension is further enhanced by Hugo Friedhofer’s dark and energetic orchestral score, which amplifies the film's emotional weight. Based on Jo Pagano's novel The Condemned, Try and Get Me! compellingly portrays how one poor decision can transform an ordinary man into society’s scapegoat. This Blu-ray release is devoid of supplemental features but offers a pristine presentation that ensures this poignant, socially relevant narrative finds the broader audience it deserves. Enthusiasts of classic film noir will find this rediscovery invaluable.

"The Sound of Fury" (a.k.a. "Try and Get Me!") offers a stark and compelling dive into the heart of film noir cinema. Directed by the blacklisted Cy Endfield, this film stands as a strikingly brutal and emotionally charged entry into the genre. Benefiting from a meticulous restoration by the Film Noir Foundation, with notable contributions from Paramount Pictures and Martin Scorsese, the film now showcases pristine visuals that enhance its brooding atmosphere and intricate cinematography. The previously unavailable status on DVD has kept this gem under the radar, but thanks to Olive Films, it has been catapulted back into public consciousness.

The Blu-ray release is technically impeccable, with strong color balance, crisp imagery, and an augmented audio presentation that magnifies the tension and urgent pacing inherent to the narrative. The restoration succeeds in resurrecting the film’s dramatic depth and visual style, providing audiences with a viewing experience that stands on par with recent high-definition releases. The inclusion of contextually rich bonus features adds layers to the appreciation of this minor masterpiece, further cementing its stature as a critical find for noir aficionados.

This Blu-ray edition of "The Sound of Fury" is not just a film restoration; it's a resurrection of an important piece of cinematic history. Its powerful narrative and robust technical execution make it an indispensable addition to any serious film collection. This quite brutal film noir from blacklisted director Cy Endfield may well be one of the biggest additions to Olive Films' catalog. A lot of people probably have not heard of it, but there is a good reason why. It was not available on DVD, and only recently it was brought back into the public consciousness thanks to the Film Noir Foundation's restoration and reconstruction, which were completed with assistance from Paramount Pictures and Martin Scorsese. It is a minor masterpiece that will surely appear on a lot of prestigious top ten lists at the end of the year. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.