The Postman Always Rings Twice Blu-ray Review

Warner’s 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" presents a visually engaging experience, albeit not without its nuances. The film, which predominantly features brightly lit settings atypical of film noir, exhibits excellent fine detail and well-defined contrast in these high-key scenes. Sidney Wagner's black-and-white cinematography retains its effective suspenseful atmosphere, with standout moments such as the cat and ladder sequence demonstrating exceptional staging and lighting. The natural grain structure remains unobtrusive, preserving the film's original texture without introducing any compression artifacts or digital manipulation.

While the brightly lit scenes benefit from an enhanced gray scale and solid black levels, some exterior daytime shots occasionally appear overexposed due to a dusty white glare. However, interior scenes excel in contrast and clarity, capturing the subtleties of Wagner’s cinematographic style. Whites are rendered with impressive gradation and crispness, particularly evident in Turner’s platinum hair and monochromatic wardrobe. Despite the inherent variability of vintage film grain, it is managed effectively here, ensuring textures and background elements remain clear without becoming overwhelming.

This Blu-ray transfer, though originating from a similar master as the 2004 DVD, offers a marginally brighter and more vibrant viewing experience. Certain night scenes might fall short in terms of contrast and brightness, likely a result of "day for night" shooting methods from the original footage. However, the absence of digital doctoring and transfer anomalies underscores an authentic preservation effort. Overall, while this transfer may not reach the pinnacle of Warner's black-and-white Blu-ray catalog, it delivers enough subtle improvements over the previous DVD release to warrant an upgrade for devoted enthusiasts.

The audio presentation of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" on Blu-ray is delivered through a DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track, showcasing the film's original mono soundtrack effectively. The dialogue is exceptionally clear and possesses a commendable dynamic range, capturing the full spectrum of vocal inflections. The score by George Bassman is prominently featured, though opinions on its quality may vary. While some may find Bassman's scoring lurid and overly dramatic, the technical delivery handles these musical shifts adeptly. The tonal depth and fidelity of the soundtrack are maintained well, despite occasional hints of distortion. Any pops, crackles, or surface noise artifacts have been thoroughly cleaned up, ensuring a smooth listening experience.

Anchored upfront, the track also succeeds in delivering environmental accents with precision. Notably, the screams and sounds such as the pounding waves of the Pacific offer a room-penetrating depth that enhances immersion. Although there are slight instances of hiss, they are minimal and do not detract from the overall audio quality. For a soundtrack hailing from over six decades ago, this restoration demonstrates a remarkable robustness and clarity. Compared to previous DVD releases, this Blu-ray audio track presents a more vibrant and cleaner soundscape, providing viewers with an enriched auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" retains most extras from the 2004 DVD, minus the trailer for the 1981 remake and a behind-the-scenes image gallery. New substantial inclusions enrich this edition. Richard Jewell offers a crisp yet insightful introduction, while "Lana Turner: A Daughter's Memoir" and "The John Garfield Story" deliver in-depth documentaries about the film's stars, making it an ideal choice for classic film aficionados. Other intriguing additions include a campy 1945 PSA, an entertaining Tex Avery short, and a vintage radio adaptation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by Richard Jewell: Film historian provides context and historical insights.
• Lana Turner: A Daughter's Memoir: TCM-produced documentary on Turner's life.
• The John Garfield Story: Documentary narrating Garfield's career and struggles.
• Phantoms, Inc.: Fictional PSA warning against confidence men.
• Red Hot Riding Hood: Urban fairy tale by Tex Avery.
• 6/16/1946 Screen Guild Theater Broadcast: Radio adaptation starring Turner and Garfield.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original preview emphasizing key plot points.

The 1946 film noir classic, "The Postman Always Rings Twice," directed by Tay Garnett, is an adaptation of James M. Cain’s 1934 novel. The film's plot is seemingly straightforward: drifter Frank Chambers (John Garfield) takes a job at a California roadside restaurant owned by Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) and his much younger wife, Cora (Lana Turner). An affair ensues between Frank and Cora, leading to murderous intentions to remove Nick from the equation. However, the narrative's complexity unfolds through false starts, detours, and subplots that intricately weave a tale of doom and despair.

Lana Turner's portrayal of femme fatale Cora Smith stands out as quintessential in the femme fatale genre. Dressed in her iconic white outfits that contrast her calculating nature, Turner's performance adds layers of sincerity and softness to the hard-boiled character, keeping audiences guessing her true intentions till the end. John Garfield's portrayal of Frank Chambers captures the essence of a naive everyman trapped by desire and manipulation. Their chemistry brings depth to their roles, fooling viewers into rooting for them despite their morally ambiguous actions.

Supporting performances bolster the film's complexity, especially Hume Cronyn's portrayal of the morally flexible lawyer Arthur Keats and Leon Ames as the relentless District Attorney Sackett. Cecil Kellaway, though deviating from the novel's depiction of Nick Smith, effectively portrays a man who believes in dominating his wife. The film's score may occasionally overreach with its melodrama, but the assured direction, exceptional performances, and dense atmosphere of sex, violence, and intrigue make "The Postman Always Rings Twice" a cornerstone of film noir that remains engaging and richly entertaining to this day.

The Postman Always Rings Twice on Blu-ray offers a remarkable representation of one of the quintessential film noirs from the 1940s. Tay Garnett's directorial mastery, coupled with outstanding performances by Lana Turner and John Garfield, ensures that this classic retains its powerful grip on contemporary audiences. The Blu-ray delivers an above-average video transfer, ensuring the iconic black-and-white cinematography preserves its depth and nuance, essential for such a stylistic genre piece. Moreover, the solid lossless audio significantly enhances the overall experience, bringing the intensity of James M. Cain's gripping narrative to life.

The Blu-ray is also replete with an impressive collection of extras, making it an enticing upgrade for both long-time enthusiasts and new appreciators of the genre. The inclusion of new supplements alongside those from the prior DVD release provides a comprehensive insight into the film’s production and historical context. The restoration quality is commendable, ensuring that the visual and auditory elements complement the film's intrinsic storytelling prowess, making the purchase an obvious choice for noir aficionados.

The Postman Always Rings Twice is one of a handful of essential film noirs of the 1940s, and Warner's Blu-ray is a superior presentation with an unusually rich complement of extras. Unless you're allergic to black and white, there's no good reason to pass on this one. Highly recommended.