They Live by Night Blu-ray Review
Score: 80
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Nicholas Ray's tender, tragic They Live by Night shines in Criterion's Blu-ray release with superb 2K restoration, restored audio, and extensive bonus features. Highly recommended!
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Disc Release Date
Video: 85
Criterion's 1080p transfer of Nicholas Ray's 'They Live by Night,' presented in 1.37:1 aspect ratio and sourced from a strong 2K restoration, excels with its cinematic quality, rich grayscale, and well-balanced contrast, despite minor density fluctuations inherent to the original film elements.
Audio: 83
The Criterion remastered LPCM mono track of 'They Live by Night' delivers clear dialogue and atmospheric effects, with no age-related hiss or distortion, though occasional compression suggests extensive restoration work.
Extra: 71
The Blu-ray extras offer a comprehensive dive into 'They Live by Night,' featuring an insightful 2007 commentary by Eddie Muller and Farley Granger, a richly analytical interview with Imogen Sara Smith, and a historical perspective from John Houseman’s 1956 audio interview, complemented by an enriched featurette and detailed leaflet.
Movie: 81
Nicholas Ray's debut 'They Live by Night,' restored on Criterion Blu-ray, intricately blends romantic melodrama and classic film noir with exceptional performances by Farley Granger and Cathy O'Donnell. The film’s innovative narrative and technical prowess, from deep focus photography to creative aerial shots, capture the heartache of doomed love against societal odds.
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Video: 85
Criterion's presentation of Nicholas Ray’s They Live by Night on Blu-ray is an exceptional example of film restoration. Encoded in 1080p with an AVC MPEG-4 transfer, the film is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1. The new digital transfer was created in 2K resolution from a 35mm safety fine-grain positive, meticulously scanned using a Lasergraphics Director film scanner. Thousands of imperfections were manually removed using MTI Film's DRS, complemented by Digital Vision's Phoenix for jitter, flicker, small dirt, grain, and noise management. The overall stability of the image is outstanding, although there are minor density fluctuations, reflecting the varied shooting conditions of the original footage.
The grayscale range is impressively captured, showcasing healthy and balanced grays, whites, and blacks that maintain the film’s cinematic quality. The rich black levels only occasionally show minor instances of crush, while the whites remain bright without blooming. Grain levels fluctuate but enhance the film's organic feel rather than distract. Criterion's efforts have essentially eliminated large debris and damage marks, making age-related artifacts nearly absent. The visual sharpness is consistently high except for a few scenes where the original photography was not precise.
The mix of gritty location shoots and polished studio interiors poses significant challenges, yet the Criterion restoration team adeptly surmounts them. Close-ups reveal superb detail and classic Hollywood glamour, particularly in the faces of Granger and O'Donnell. Rich contrast and clarity further elevate the viewing experience, blending outdoor location scenes seamlessly with studio shots. With only a few discrete markings remaining on the restored source material, They Live by Night never looked better on Blu-ray. This release stands as a testament to Criterion's dedication to preserving cinema history with technical finesse and respectful authenticity.
Audio: 83
Criterion's Blu-ray release of "They Live by Night" features a newly remastered LPCM mono track that stands out for its clarity and lack of distortion. The dialogue is exceptionally clean and stable, making it consistently easy to follow. Although minor variations in depth and fluidity can be noticed, these are likely inherent to the original audio mix rather than a flaw. Environmental sounds, such as crickets, car engines, and flames, are rendered effectively, adding to the film's atmospheric quality. Leigh Harline's score, known for iconic pieces like those in Walt Disney's "Pinocchio," fills the room with a warm, enveloping presence.
Technical fidelity of the LPCM mono track is commendable, despite slight compression that hints at significant restoration efforts. Fortunately, this results in an audio experience free of age-related hiss, pops, or crackles. The PCM 1.0 (1.1 Mbps) track ensures a robust yet balanced portrayal of the era’s pop songs and Harline's original score intertwined seamlessly with the film's atmospheric effects. While not the most dynamic or active track, it complements the film’s tone perfectly and should impress both cinephiles and audiophiles alike.
Extra: 71
Criterion’s Blu-ray release of "They Live by Night" includes a meticulous array of extras, providing insightful context to the film. Eddie Muller's commentary with Farley Granger, though occasionally hampered by Granger's reticence, delivers rich historical insights and comparisons to other noir classics. Imogen Sara Smith's interview delves into the film's innovative approach within the genre and Nicholas Ray's directorial nuances. The disc also features a 1956 audio interview with producer John Houseman, providing historical context to the production roles at the time. The archival featurette, "They Live by Night: The Twisted Road," supplements these with observations from notable film industry figures and historians. An informative leaflet authored by Bernard Eisenschitz rounds out the collection.
Extras included in this disc:
Audio Commentary: Eddie Muller and Farley Granger discuss the film's production and its novel origins.
Interview with Imogen Sara Smith: In-depth analysis of the film’s unique noir elements and Nicholas Ray.
Audio Interview with John Houseman: Insights from the producer on his career and film production.
They Live by Night: The Twisted Road: Featurette with perspectives from film experts and industry figures.
Leaflet: Bernard Eisenschitz’s essay on the film’s impact and importance.
Movie: 81
Nicholas Ray’s debut, They Live by Night, intricately melds romantic melodrama with the unwavering fatalism of classic noir cinema. The film opens with an innovative aerial helicopter shot that thrusts viewers into the escape of three convicts, establishing its technical prowess early on. Among them, Bowie (Farley Granger) stands out as a young man unjustly imprisoned for murder. As he recuperates on a secluded farm, Bowie forms a delicate bond with Keechie (Cathy O'Donnell), Chickamaw's niece, who faces her own struggles with an abusive father. Their resulting relationship and attempt to achieve a semblance of normalcy injects warmth into the stark reality of their circumstances.
Ray’s nuanced direction ensures that the movie transcends typical genre boundaries. He deftly balances tender moments enriched by lush lighting and close-ups with a muscular style marked by dynamic camera work and gritty settings. This balance is evident as the narrative shifts from noir to romantic fantasy territory, coining what can be termed as "romance noir." The film’s raw emotional core is brought to life through the compelling performances of Granger and O'Donnell, whose chemistry delivers a palpable sense of vulnerability and determination. They embody not just tortured souls but hopeful youths longing for safety and stability amidst relentless adversities.
The supporting cast, including Howard Da Silva and Jay C. Flippen, further elevate the film, depicting a world teetering between rough criminal undertakings and fleeting moments of grace. George Diskant’s deep focus photography allows actions and reactions to unfold seamlessly within single frames, enriching the visual storytelling. Overall, Ray’s strong insights into human suffering and resilient hope make They Live by Night a standout piece that resonates deeply, encapsulating the director’s vision of outsiders navigating a world of grime and corruption in their quest for tranquility.
Total: 80
Nicholas Ray’s They Live by Night is a standout entry in the film noir genre, uniquely blending post-World War II realism with a poignant, tragic romance. The film follows the tale of an escaped convict trying to break free from a life of crime and his earnest girlfriend who believes in his potential for redemption. Ray's directorial debut strikes a deep emotional chord, combining tender moments with the familiar tension and darkness of noir. Farley Granger and Cathy O'Donnell deliver stellar performances, driving the film's powerful narrative.
Criterion's Blu-ray release of They Live by Night is sourced from an exceptional new 2K restoration. This upgrade offers a significant improvement in both video and audio quality compared to Warner Bros.' decade-old North American DVD release. The presentation showcases high-definition transfers that capture Ray’s nuanced direction and the film’s atmospheric details with remarkable clarity. Additionally, the release is packed with a comprehensive array of supplementary materials, offering an immersive experience for both new viewers and long-time fans.
What makes Nicholas Ray’s They Live by Night a special film—aside from the fact that it is truly a stunning directorial debut—is the simplicity and effectiveness with which it rearranges major genre elements. It really has the heart of a rebel, though admittedly it is not quite as bold as Ray’s groundbreaking western Johnny Guitar. Criterion’s Blu-ray release of They Live by Night is an essential upgrade for any film enthusiast. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 90
The darker footage also boasts wonderful nuances that give the transfer a very nice cinematic quality, defined by healthy and properly balanced grays, whites, and blacks....
Audio: 90
Some minor variations in terms of depth and fluidity can be noticed, but the quality of the original audio mix is probably directly responsible for them....
Extras: 70
Imogen Sara Smith - in this brand new video interview, film critic Imogen Sara Smith (In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City) discusses They Live by Night and the novel by Edward Anderson that inspired...
Movie: 90
While Bowie recovers Keechie falls madly in love with him, but she has a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he is a fugitive from justice and is even planning to participate in a dangerous robbery...
Total: 90
What makes Nicholas Ray's They Live by Night a special film -- aside from the fact that it is truly a stunning directorial debut -- is the simplicity and effectiveness with which it rearranges major genre...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Contrast and clarity are quite good - the close-ups of O'Donnell and especially Granger drip with Hollywood glamour despite the dusty settings - and superior gray scale variance highlights details and...
Audio: 80
Atmospherics, such as crickets, are especially effective, but revving car engines, screeching wheels, and dancing flames also come through clearly....
Extras: 40
In this vintage 1956 interview, the producer of They Live by Night relates how he got into films, how he expanded the role of a producer into the creative realm, and the evolution of artistic material...
Movie: 80
The first half of They Live by Night follows the traditional trajectory of film noir, but the second half takes a sharp turn, veering off into romantic fantasy territory, as Bowie and Keechie try to escape...
Total: 60
Rarely does film noir strike such an intense emotional chord, and Criterion's high-quality Blu-ray presentation (featuring restored video and audio transfers and a diverse array of supplements) coupled...
Home Theater Forum review by Matt HoughRead review here
Video: 100
Sharpness is outstanding throughout except in scenes where the original photography was ill-focused, and the image is remarkably free from age-related scratch and dirt artifacts....
Audio: 90
The PCM 1.0 (1.1 Mbps) sound mix is typical of its era with the dialogue well-recorded and blended with surety with some pop songs of the era and Leigh Harline’s original score along with the proper atmospheric...
Extras: 80
Enclosed Pamphlet: contains cast and crew lists, a couple of stills, information on the audio and video transfers, and an enlightening analysis of the movie and its impact by film scholar Bernard Eisenschitz....
Movie: 80
With a screenplay by Charles Schnee adapted by director Nicholas Ray from depression era novelist Edward Anderson’s Thieves Like Us (later to be remade with a completely different mood by Robert Altman...
Total: 90
A strangely tender tragedy of young love and its hopeless optimism, They Live by Night is one of the more memorable small films to emerge from the postwar period from enterprising young director Nicholas...
Director: Nicholas Ray
Actors: Cathy O'Donnell, Farley Granger, Howard Da Silva
PlotBowie, a young convict serving time for a crime he committed as a minor, escapes from prison with two hardened criminals, Chicamaw and T-Dub. They plan to lay low and plot a big robbery. During their hideout, Bowie crosses paths with Keechie, a young woman who helps her uncle run a gas station. Despite Bowie's past and the ongoing plans for the robbery, the two form an instant connection and eventually fall in love. Against the backdrop of Bowie's criminal activities and the pressure from law enforcement closing in on them, the pair decides to run away together in search of a peaceful life.
As the couple attempts to leave their troubled lives behind, Bowie and Keechie find themselves constantly on the move, pursued by both the police and Bowie's former accomplices. Their bond grows stronger with each passing day, but the shadow of Bowie's criminal past continually threatens their hopes for a new beginning. Their love story unfolds amidst escalating tension and mounting danger, navigating a world filled with mistrust and looming peril.
Writers: Charles Schnee, Nicholas Ray, Edward Anderson
Release Date: 05 Nov 1949
Runtime: 95 min
Rating: Passed
Country: United States
Language: English