Dragnet Blu-ray Review

Dragnet arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber, offered in two aspect ratios—1.75:1 and 1.47:1—and sourced from a recent 2K master provided by Universal Pictures. The 1080p transfer, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, showcases the film's strong organic qualities, although density fluctuations are notable. These fluctuations impact delineation, clarity, and depth, suggesting intentional visual manipulations rather than digital anomalies. Despite minor aging signs at reel transitions, the presentation remains visually stable with excellent color grading. The primary colors are robust, and the supporting nuances are well balanced. Occasional minor white flecks do not detract from the overall viewing experience.

Both widescreen and open matte versions—1.75:1 and 1.37:1 respectively—are selectable from the main menu. The transfer maintains reasonable sharpness with a clean, artifact-free image and consistent grain levels. Although Warnercolor doesn't always present the lushest hues, skin tones and colors appear natural in many scenes. However, some shots exhibit dated or inconsistent coloration. The disc spans eight chapters, ensuring a seamless viewing experience. Despite minor issues, this Blu-ray video presentation delivers a visually compelling rendition of Dragnet.

The Blu-ray release of "Dragnet" features a single audio track, an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit). Additionally, optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. Notably, the audio track delivers exceptional clarity and sharpness which enhances the viewing experience significantly. Walter Schumann's score is particularly striking, with its intensity warranting occasional volume adjustments. There's a commendable absence of age-related anomalies like hiss, pops, crackles, or flutter, underscoring the pristine quality of this mono mix.

Typical of audio mixes from its era, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono sound provides very good fidelity and well-balanced volume levels. The clarity of dialogue—a crucial element given the dialogue-heavy nature of the film—is maintained throughout. The professional mixing of Schumann’s background music, including the legendary TV theme, and various sound effects makes for an immersive auditory experience. The audio track holds up well, with no noticeable issues related to aging, thereby providing an authentic but clean reproduction of the original sound design.

The Blu-ray extras for "Dragnet" offer a rich, detailed compendium of supplementary materials sure to satisfy aficionados of the classic series. Film historian Toby Roan's audio commentary stands out, delivering an informative and precise discussion that delves deeply into the production details and personnel involved. Roan also provides fascinating trivia, such as the overlap in filming with "A Star Is Born" and various nuances of Jack Webb’s extensive career. Complementing the insightful commentary, the vintage trailer for "Dragnet" offers a nostalgic glimpse into the film's original promotion. This meticulous curation of extras enhances the overall viewing experience, providing both context and historical perspective.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Film historian Toby Roan shares factual information about "Dragnet" production and related trivia.
• Trailer: Vintage trailer for "Dragnet."
• Kino Trailer: Trailer for "The Sleeping City."

Jack Webb's 1954 film adaptation of the iconic Dragnet show, has been brought to Blu-ray by Kino Lorber. The film features English SDH subtitles and is Region-A locked. Directed by Webb himself, the movie translates the TV series' procedural format into a cinematic experience. The plot begins with the murder of a shady bookie by two henchmen, and follows Sergeant Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and his partner Frank Smith (Ben Alexander) as they try to solve the case. The storyline, while straightforward, forces viewers to pay attention to the meticulous police procedures rather than the excitement of the crime itself. This can make the film feel like an extended police briefing devoid of suspense typical of good film noirs.

Oscar-winning screenwriter Richard L. Breen provides a script that closely mirrors the TV show’s docudrama approach. There's a deliberate focus on police work: from interviewing suspects to presenting evidence before a grand jury. However, critics argue that this dampens the atmosphere, reducing potential entertainment value. The film does feature some cinematic flourishes, such as overhead shots, first-person perspectives during fight scenes, and a notable jazz interlude to break the monotony. Walter Schumann’s intense soundtrack adds some dramatic flair but is at times out of sync with the visuals. Character performances are strong, particularly Virginia Gregg and Stacy Harris, who deliver compelling portrayals in their respective roles.

Despite these pros and cons, Jack Webb's Dragnet is undeniably a faithful adaptation of his vision for procedural storytelling. Even though some viewers might find it lacking in suspense and emotional depth, others will appreciate its unflinching focus on methodical law enforcement techniques and the classic deadpan style of Webb’s performance.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Dragnet" offers a respectable presentation of the 1954 feature film adaptation of the iconic 1950s crime drama series. Utilizing a recent 2K master prepared by Universal Pictures, the Blu-ray exhibits clean image quality and solid color representation, enhancing the viewing experience for contemporary audiences. Fans of the original series will appreciate the retention of familiar tropes and the distinctive rapid-fire dialogue delivery, a hallmark of "Dragnet." However, the plot feels somewhat stretched to fit the feature-length format, which may dampen engagement for some viewers.

While the transfer quality is commendable, the film itself resembles an elongated police briefing, where the narrative structure remains extremely procedural and sometimes monotonous. The Blu-ray does, however, include two versions of the film, adding value for collectors and enthusiasts interested in variations of the production. The widescreen format and introduction of color provide an additional incentive for those loyal to the vintage series or curious cinephiles.

In summary, Kino Lorber's "Dragnet" Blu-ray is technically proficient but is best suited for dedicated fans of the series. This high-definition release captures the precision of the dialogue and maintains the integrity of the original film's look and feel. Given its methodical pace and niche appeal, potential buyers might consider renting it first to gauge its alignment with their tastes.