Across 110th Street Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Across 110th Street" presents a visually mixed experience with its 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encoded image. Displayed in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the presentation reveals a film that hasn't entirely escaped the ravages of time. While the source print is generally in good shape with minimal damage and speckling, viewers will note a pronounced layer of grain that is sometimes noisy and fuzzy. This inherent softness and occasional haziness limit the extent of fine detail, though facial features and costume textures remain discernible.

Color reproduction is among the transfer's stronger points, featuring a natural urban palette punctuated with bold period costumes that offer refreshing bursts of color. Skin tones are rendered naturally, contributing to an overall welcoming aesthetic. However, issues with black levels and white balance detract from the visual experience. Blacks tend to solidify and shift towards a blue and noisy hue, making dark scenes slightly distracting, while whites can appear overexposed and blown out, which affects the balance of high contrast scenes. Despite these drawbacks, the visual quality holds a rugged charm that aligns with the film's gritty narrative.

Ultimately, this Blu-ray does faithfully adhere to the film's original visual aesthetics but stops short of delivering a pristine presentation. The rough, low-budget nature of the film is evident, yet fittingly preserved. Viewers seeking a visually polished and dynamic transfer may find the presentation somewhat lacking in cutting-edge clarity and depth, yet it remains an authentic and commendable preservation effort.

The audio presentation of "Across 110th Street" on Blu-Ray is delivered through a 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix. This mix does show its age, with the source material contributing to occasional muddiness in group dynamics. However, dialogue exchanges remain largely clear, with the emotional resonance accurately conveyed. One of the standout elements is the soundtrack, with Bobby Womack's iconic title track coming through with impressive clarity and depth. The sound effects, particularly in action sequences, are sharp and forceful, adding a vibrant dimension to scenes.

Despite being limited by the film's age and budget, the English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono track is solid and free from significant age-related issues like crackles, pops, or hissing. Though it lacks the crispness and range of modern soundtracks, it still delivers a decent auditory experience. Ambient street noises are pronounced, creating a lively atmospherics that enhances the film's gritty urban setting. The audio mix faithfully captures the essence of the era while preserving the technical quality, providing an overall engaging auditory experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Across 110th Street" provide a comprehensive and engaging set of supplementary materials that enhance the viewing experience. The inclusion of the high-definition theatrical trailer allows viewers to appreciate the film's original promotional content in pristine quality. Additionally, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound enriches the sensory experience, capturing the essence of the film's original audio design. This collection of extras serves as a valuable resource for both enthusiasts and scholars interested in the film's historical context and cinematic craftsmanship.

Extras included in this disc:

Theatrical Trailer (HD): The film's trailer is included in 1080p with DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound.

1972's "Across 110th Street" is often categorized under the blacksploitation genre, but its gritty cops-and-criminals narrative is more akin to "The French Connection." Adapted from Wally Ferris's novel, it dives deep into police procedures and NYC's criminal underworld, painting a harsh picture of power struggles and desperation. Racial tensions and skin color are pivotal themes, but director Barry Shear doesn't resort to overt racial commentary. Instead, he crafts a compelling streetwise adventure with an emphasis on character, corruption, and survival. The story surges rather than flows, maintaining a relentless pace through energetic chases and intense confrontations.

The narrative follows three low-level Harlem thieves who rob the Italian mafia, igniting a violent quest for retribution. New York City cops Lt. Pope (Yaphet Kotto) and Capt. Mattelli (Anthony Quinn) take on the case, racing against time to catch the criminals before the mob does. The film seamlessly transitions between mafia reprisals and police pursuits, with both groups employing brutal tactics. At the same time, the movie offers a fairly effective layer of social commentary that highlights the racial tensions prevalent during the period.

Visually, "Across 110th Street" excels with its raw 70s aesthetic and stylistic choices such as frantic handheld shots, live zooms, dramatic low angles, and deliberate cuts which enhance its action scenes. The film's initial heist sequence perfectly sets the tone with close-up cuts and escalating violence. Though the performances by Anthony Quinn and Yaphet Kotto are commendable, the film's script spreads focus thin, leading to underdeveloped central conflicts and relationships. Overall, despite its slow pace and adherence to crime thriller clichés, the movie’s unique old-school style and social commentary make it a noteworthy piece of 70s cinema. And let's not forget – its iconic theme song is irresistibly memorable.

The Blu-ray release of "Across 110th Street" captures the gritty essence of this classic 70s crime thriller with a certain degree of technical fidelity, despite its dated and somewhat problematic elements. The film's transfer showcases the raw, urban backdrop, retaining the authenticity of the original cinematography. While the video quality exhibits signs of wear reflective of its low-budget roots, it maintains sufficient clarity to support the narrative's harsh aesthetic. Similarly, the audio track, though limited in dynamic range, competently conveys the film’s powerful score and dialogue.

Unfortunately, the Blu-ray edition is rather sparse in terms of supplementary materials, offering just a requisite trailer as an extra. This lack of additional content may disappoint collectors and enthusiasts eager for deeper insights into the film's production and legacy. Despite these shortcomings, the fundamental aspects of the disc do justice to the source material, preserving the visceral impact that defines "Across 110th Street."

Performances are uniformly strong, with Kotto and Quinn a tempestuous duo, creating an unusual balance of antagonism and ambition in their respective roles, adding a welcome dimension of begrudging respect that pays off in the fantastically blunt ending. However, Paul Benjamin steals the movie, delivering sensational work as a man out of options turning to crime. Intimate scenes with this character drip with desperation and defiance, generating a precise tone of distress for "Across 110th Street" that feeds into the rest of the film, giving it a lasting thematic snap.