World Without End Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "World Without End" on Blu-ray delivers a commendable experience for early Cinemascope enthusiasts and vintage film aficionados. The Warner Archive Collection's efforts in commissioning a new 2K scan of an interpositive at Warner's Motion Picture Imaging facility have paid off. The resulting 1080p, AVC-encoded image, despite the expected characteristic softness of first-generation anamorphic lenses, remains crisp and clean. This sharpness extends to details, which while impressively captured, can be somewhat unflattering to the low-budget set design, costumes, and makeup. The natural film grain is meticulously preserved, presenting an authentic texture that cinephiles will appreciate.

The visual presentation benefits from vivid Technicolor hues, notably the recurring rich reds that symbolize various thematic elements throughout the story. However, viewers might note occasional fluctuation in colors and densities at scene changes, a minor but common artifact from the optical dissolve process used during the film’s production. Filmed in the iconic Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California, the exteriors are rendered sharply without any distracting imperfections like scratches or dirt, ensuring a seamless viewing experience. The image sustains a high average bitrate of 33.98 Mbps on a BD-25 disc, balancing the film's 80-minute duration effectively without any compression artifacts.

Black levels are solid, with shadow details maintaining clarity that enrich scenes with depth and contrast. While not an especially vibrant film overall, the calibration and color correction ensure accurate representation consistent with the original Technicolor palette. The consistent retention of natural grain further underscores the meticulous care taken in this restoration, positioning this release as a striking and faithful presentation for both devoted fans and new viewers alike.

The audio presentation of "World Without End" on Blu-ray features its original mono track taken from an optical track positive and encoded in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0. The soundtrack, while serviceable, is largely unremarkable, featuring generic effects for actions such as gunshots and explosions. However, automated door sounds stand out, providing an auditory nod to the future Starship Enterprise. The dialogue is rendered with clarity, ensuring every word is understandable, and the melodramatic score by Leith Stevens enhances the film's suspense and sense of danger, though it remains a modest effort.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono audio is clean and clear, with excellent fidelity in both dialogue and music. Bob Furmanek has confirmed that "World Without End" was also released in Perspecta stereo, although it didn't offer true stereo sound. The Blu-ray faithfully reproduces the original source audio, preserving the integrity of the period audio while making it accessible to contemporary viewers. English SDH subtitles are available, further aiding in comprehension and accessibility.

The Blu Ray of "World Without End" does not include any extras, mirroring the bare-bones nature of its 2008 Warner DVD release shared with "Satellite in the Sky." The disc lacks any additional content such as commentaries, behind-the-scenes features, or interviews, and it also does not provide specified chapter stops. Nevertheless, users can navigate through the film using the skip button on their remotes.

Extras included in this disc:

None: This disc is devoid of extra content and chapters.

"World Without End" is a classic example of 1950s science fiction that has been beautifully revived on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive collection. This 1956 film, presented in CinemaScope, follows a manned space expedition to Mars which encounters a mysterious energy field, causing the spaceship to time-warp and crash-land on Earth in the year 2508, well into a post-apocalyptic future. The enchanting allure of this film lies not only in its period-specific charm but also in its notable contributors, including a young Rod Taylor in his first American lead role and Sam Peckinpah working as the uncredited dialogue director.

The storyline, rich with elements that would inspire future genre staples such as "Planet of the Apes" and "Star Trek," sees the crew navigating an Earth devastated by nuclear war. They soon discover that humanity has split into savage, mutated surface dwellers and a timid, subterranean society struggling to survive. The narrative is bolstered by the competent performances of Hugh Marlowe as the authoritative John Borden, Nelson Leigh as the insightful Dr. Eldon Galbraithe, and Christopher Dark as the conflicted Hank Jaffe. The film’s sets and practical effects, however quaint by today's standards, convey an earnestness that elevates its B-movie origins into endearing territory, with hokey yet charming props like styrofoam landscapes and giant spider models.

Despite some plot inconsistencies and sluggish moments, particularly during scenes in the underground city, "World Without End" remains an engaging watch. The character dynamics are enriched by the juxtaposition of virile 20th-century astronauts against the weakened subterranean men, exciting both narrative tension and romantic subplots. Coupled with surprisingly competent special effects for the era and appealing performances from its cast, including Nancy Gates as Garnet, the film retains its place as a genre favorite. Enthusiasts of vintage sci-fi will find this Blu-ray release a worthwhile addition to their collection, offering a window into an era where speculative fiction began to seriously grapple with the implications of nuclear war.

"World Without End" is a 1956 sci-fi film that veers from the typical fare by incorporating elements of temporal travel and post-apocalyptic survival within a unique narrative framework. Directed by Edward Bernds, the film has garnered attention not only for its storyline but also for the legal drama it incited, with the H.G. Wells Estate taking issue with its perceived similarities to Wells's "The Time Machine." Despite these controversies, "World Without End" stands on its own merit, featuring an attractive cast and excellent on-location cinematography.

The Blu-Ray presentation by Warner Archive Collection (WAC) lives up to their established reputation for quality. Colors are vivid and the image clarity is impressive, enhancing details in both character features and backdrop settings. The audio transfer is equally competent, preserving the integrity of the original score and sound effects without noticeable distortion or hiss. Though it may not achieve the same acclaim as "The Time Machine," "World Without End" manages an enjoyable viewing experience bolstered by visual and auditory refinements in this release.

Four years after WWE, Rod Taylor would star in another tale about temporal travel, "The Time Machine," based on H.G. Wells's novel. Ironically, the Wells Estate is reported to have sued Allied Artists over WWE, claiming that writer/director Edward Bernds misappropriated Wells's story. The outcome of the suit has not been reported, but it's unlikely that the Estate prevailed.

Aside from the element of time travel, the two plots have little in common, and each is recognizably a product of its era, with Wells reflecting Victorian concerns about the state of the British Empire and WWE mirroring the angst of the early nuclear age. (George Pal's adaptation of Wells's novel for the screen introduced similar elements.) WAC has done their usual creditable job with WWE, and if you're fond of the film, the presentation is recommended.

In conclusion, while "World Without End" may not rank among the top-tier classics of the sci-fi genre, its intelligent scripting and engaging visuals make for an enjoyable film. For fans or collectors, this Blu-Ray release is certainly worth recommending based on its high-quality presentation and historical curiosity alone.