He Walked by Night Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "He Walked by Night" by Kino Lorber showcases a remarkable 1080p transfer, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, maintaining its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. This edition utilizes a new 16-bit 4K restoration from a 35mm fine grain, delivering a substantial upgrade over the previous high-definition debut by ClassicFlix in 2017. The restoration enhances the film's organic appearance, bringing forth exceptional delineation, sharpness, and depth across the visuals while maintaining a film-like quality. Particularly noteworthy is the improved grayscale and deep, rich blacks that enhance the dramatic contrast with minimal light sources, avoiding any digital artifacts from degraining and sharpening processes.

This masterful transfer benefits significantly from an increased bit rate of approximately 38 Mbps, in contrast to ClassicFlix's high 20s, ensuring cleaner images and richer textures. The entire film exhibits enhanced clarity, offering crisper close-ups and superior shadow detail. Director of Photography John Alton's cinematography is magnificently presented—his unique angles and compositions create visual diversity throughout the film. Notable sequences, including Martin's escape in the storm drains of Los Angeles, are accentuated by how water reflects light in elongated shadows and patterns. Despite minor instances of slight softness and fading, the overall image remains pristine without any distracting imperfections such as dirt specks or scratches.

Ultimately, this Blu-ray release offers an immersive viewing experience that elevates its film-noir aesthetic while respecting Alton's esteemed artistry. It's a compelling upgrade for enthusiasts of "He Walked by Night," encapsulating technical precision that enhances every visual detail integral to the film's noir foundations. The pristine restoration notably surpasses its predecessor in quality and presentation, making it a must-have for aficionados of classic cinema and cinematographic excellence alike.

The audio presentation of "He Walked by Night" on Blu-ray features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track, which is consistent with the uncompressed mono track from the prior ClassicFlix release. Optional English SDH subtitles are included for clarity. This track effectively captures the film's natural audio elements, emphasizing gunshots, narrations, and environmental sounds that contribute significantly to the film's suspenseful atmosphere. However, despite the presence of these elements, the audio does not experience significant improvements over previous versions and carries some inconsistencies.

The dialogue clarity in this disc is notably mixed. Reed Hadley's narration and most of the dialogue remain clear and pronounced, bringing a nostalgic reminder of classic TV shows such as "Dragnet." However, in portions of the track, especially sections involving complex ambient sound layers, the audio can become thin and susceptible to minor distortions, particularly in the upper registers. Users may find it necessary to adjust the volume to mitigate these issues, although some degradation appears inherent due to age-related factors in the original materials.

Despite these challenges, the audio track impressively handles dynamic range, maintaining a balance across its sparse yet impactful musical score without distortion. Sound effects such as sirens, car crashes, and gut-punching action sequences like gunfire resonate with startling intensity. Commentary on environmental sounds like those in storm drains is detailed and atmospheric. Overall, while not a transformative upgrade from prior releases, this DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track still manages to vividly convey the essence of "He Walked by Night" with a well-preserved aural authenticity, ensuring a nostalgically immersive experience.

The Blu-ray of "He Walked by Night" presents a commendable collection of extras that enrich the viewing experience for film noir aficionados and cinema historians alike. The release features two distinct audio commentaries: one by Imogen Sara Smith delves into the film's classification as a semi-documentary police procedural rather than a traditional noir, while providing context of its era and examining key contributors like Richard Basehart and Anthony Mann, whose direction notably shaped the film's noir aesthetics. Another insightful commentary from Alan K. Rode and Julie Kirgo offers a dynamic analysis, highlighting the film's historical nuances, characters, and technical prowess, particularly the work of cinematographer John Alton. Additionally, the package includes a reversible cover showcasing vintage poster art, which enhances its appeal for collectors. Despite lacking certain retrospective features from previous releases, this version effectively captures the essence and historical significance of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Imogen Sara Smith: Offers insights into the film's genre classification and creative influences.
• Audio Commentary by Alan K. Rode and Julie Kirgo: Provides a comprehensive examination of the film's context and cinematic techniques.
• Reversible Cover: Features vintage poster art for "He Walked by Night."
• Trailers: Includes previews for other KLSC noir releases.

Alfred L. Werker's "He Walked by Night" is a classic film noir that has been beautifully restored and released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber. The film showcases Richard Basehart as Roy Morgan, a cunning and enigmatic criminal who commits a series of robberies across Los Angeles. The plot thickens when Morgan, a seemingly harmless yet duplicitous figure, kills a police officer and becomes the target of an intense LAPD manhunt. The narrative is a gripping police procedural, eschewing typical romance or subplots to maintain its focus on the methodical investigation led by Captain Breen and his detectives.

One of the standout elements of the film is its artistic cinematography, expertly handled by John Alton. The visual construction, especially during the climax in the underground sewers of Los Angeles, is stunning. Employing low-level lighting, Alton crafts a chilling and atmospheric backdrop that brings the film's heightened tension to the fore. Although Alfred L. Werker is credited as the director, there are whispers among classic film experts that Anthony Mann might have directed key sequences, including the renowned sewer scene, adding to the film's mystique.

The film's narrative roots in true events lend it an authentic feel, as it loosely recounts the story of Erwin "Machine Gun" Walker, providing an exploration of post-war crime motivated by psychological scars from World War II. Basehart delivers a standout performance as Roy Morgan, successfully portraying a complex and mysterious sociopath that intrigues audiences. Together with Scott Brady's affable yet tenacious portrayal of detective work, "He Walked by Night" emerges as more than just a B movie—it's a significant cultural artifact within the genre of noir, proving that independent films of the Golden Age possess both artistry and enduring appeal.

"He Walked by Night" offers a quintessential glimpse into the film noir genre, showcasing its potent allure through a gripping narrative and atmospheric execution. The film stands out not only for its impressive cinematography, which captures Los Angeles as a shadowy labyrinth, but also for its intriguing plot that keeps viewers engrossed despite revealing the killer's identity early on. The film's enigmatic portrayal of the antagonist adds depth, as audiences primarily see him from the police's perspective, creating a compelling dynamic of pursuit and evasion. Although the screenplay omits the killer's backstory linked to post-war trauma, this choice intensifies the mystery surrounding his character.

Kino Lorber's latest Blu-ray release marks a significant enhancement over prior editions, presenting a meticulous new 4K restoration that sharpens the visual experience significantly. This edition includes valuable extras such as a fresh audio commentary and innovative packaging, notably reversible cover art that adds collectible value. Such improvements make this release an attractive prospect for both long-time noir enthusiasts and new collectors. The 16-bit 4K scan reveals intricate details that underscore the film's rich stylistic elements and ensures a more immersive viewing experience.

In conclusion, "He Walked by Night" is celebrated not only as an enthralling film noir but also as a captivating historical document illuminating a bygone era of American urban landscapes. With its release by Kino Lorber, restored to contemporary standards and packed with worthwhile features, it is highly recommended for anyone seeking to deepen their appreciation of classic cinema, representing an essential upgrade for existing collections.