The Oblong Box Blu-ray Review

The 1.85:1 AVC encoded image presentation of "The Oblong Box" on Blu-ray offers a nuanced experience that does justice to this atmospheric horror classic. Despite mild filtering, the transfer maintains a respectable level of detail, evident in facial close-ups and the fibrous textures of costumes. Colors are carefully calibrated, transitioning smoothly from the vibrant primaries seen in the African hut scenes to the more muted and period-appropriate hues in the English setting. Noteworthy is the rich, syrupy red of the blood, adding a striking visual punch consistent with the era's horror films. The black levels are impressively inky, contributing to a perceptible depth, especially in confined, darkly lit spaces.

However, the transfer isn't without its minor flaws. While fine film grain enhances the film's texture and never overly dominates, some scenes, particularly during evening excursions, struggle with delineation. Rare softer moments and minor speckling do surface but are largely non-intrusive. Around the 20-minute mark, a couple of shots do exhibit rougher quality but are fleeting and do not significantly detract from the overall visual experience.

Overall, the transfer refrains from overt damages, preserving the filmic integrity while delicately managing color grading to avoid overwhelming any primaries. This balance ensures that whether it’s the deep blues of Vincent Price's costume or the ghoulish particulars, the visual fidelity remains compelling throughout.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track for "The Oblong Box" delivers a satisfactory blend of suspense elements and crisp, clean dialogue. Maintaining a rich and resonant sound quality, the track avoids any age-related issues, hiss, dropouts, or lulls. Dialogue exchanges are stable and expressively capture the dramatics and varied accents, ensuring intelligibility throughout the film. The scoring is louder but remains supportive with an acceptable range of instrumentation and pronounced placement that emphasizes conflict effectively.

Atmospherics and environmental sounds are managed proficiently, particularly in sequences involving horror creaks and groans, contributing to a satisfactory listening experience. Although the track primarily remains in midranges with minimal channel movement due to the film’s frequent closed-space settings, there is ample spatial dimension noticeable in scenes where characters venture out into open settings like London’s streets or during horseback riding. Overall, the consistency and balance of the audio elements make this a fine track that serves the film’s narrative and suspenseful ambiance well.

The Blu Ray of "The Oblong Box" boasts a commendable selection of extras, enriching a solid package with valuable insights and historical charm. The audio commentary by Steve Haberman, an authoritative film historian, stands out for its depth and articulation, providing substantial background on the film’s production and subtle nuances. The highlight is the short film adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee," narrated by the legendary Vincent Price. Despite its student film vibes, it captivates with its eerie atmosphere. A collection of theatrical trailers from various associated films rounds off the extras, showcasing vintage promotional techniques that emphasize mood and intrigue without revealing too much plot.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Film historian Steve Haberman provides insightful analysis and production trivia.
• Annabel Lee: A 1969 short film adaptation narrated by Vincent Price.
• The Oblong Box Trailer: A succinct trailer that teases the film without spoiling its pivotal twists.
• Twice Told Tales Trailer: Presents a bloody, enticing setup.
• Madhouse Trailer: Classic trailer emphasizing the film's horror elements.
• Tales of Terror Trailer: A comical yet creepy take on Poe's works.
• House of the Long Shadows Trailer: Vincent Price's compelling narration promoting the film.

1969's The Oblong Box utilizes the rich, eerie tapestry of Edgar Allan Poe's storytelling, adapting it loosely into an unsettling narrative centered on sibling guilt, voodoo, and retribution. Directed by Gordon Hessler, this film cleverly diverges from Poe's original ocean voyage tale, opting instead to plunge into the macabre dynamic between Julian Markham (Vincent Price) and his disfigured brother Sir Edward (Alister Williamson). The film's opening pivots on a harrowing incident involving indigenous rituals in Africa that leaves Edward physically and mentally scarred, catalyzing the horror that unfolds. Julian's desperate attempts to conceal his brother's condition and the subsequent burial mishap add layers of suspense and gothic intrigue, albeit unevenly paced throughout the film.

The Oblong Box benefits from the formidable presence of Vincent Price, whose portrayal of Julian Markham serves as a vital anchor to the narrative. Price's ability to oscillate between victim and villain with nuanced sophistication lends credibility and gravitas to the film's chilling atmosphere. Alister Williamson's physically menacing performance as Sir Edward, though dubbed, complements Price's role, capturing the aristocratic yet terrifying essence of his character. The crimson red hood Edward dons becomes a focal point of the film's suspense, symbolizing both his monstrosity and tragic humanity. Despite its narrative inconsistencies and a tendency toward a "talky" execution, The Oblong Box sustains intrigue through its character-driven horror and atmospheric dread.

Overall, while The Oblong Box strays significantly from its literary roots, it captures the essence of Poe’s grim thematic elements and expands upon them with cinematic finesse. The film ultimately shines as a darkly effective thriller that manages to engage through its performances, haunting visuals, and the psychological tension inherent in its storyline. Though not the purest adaptation, it stands as an inspired cinematic exploration that adds depth and dimension to Poe's macabre imagination.

"The Oblong Box" delivers a compelling albeit uneven horror experience, blending Poe's macabre narrative style with captivating performances, especially from Vincent Price. While director Gordon Hessler struggles at times to construct a cohesive nightmare, the film gradually finds its stride, sustaining black humor and horror with enough visual finesse to maintain viewer unease. Hessler’s direction might falter occasionally in imbuing the film with a forceful horror identity, yet it compensates through effective exploration of more grotesque elements such as serial killing and live burials.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release offers a considerable upgrade over previous formats, significantly enhancing the viewing experience. Although the picture and audio quality are not groundbreaking, they represent marked improvements over older versions. This Blu-ray includes an engaging commentary track and an intriguing short film, supplemented by a collection of Vincent Price-related movie trailers that enrich the overall package. Price's presence is a notable highlight, his performance injecting credibility and allure into the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Oblong Box" improves as it goes along, and the acting does a tremendous job selling the nightmare director Gordon Hessler has difficulty constructing. Poe's black humor and horror are sustained to satisfaction, and there a handful of visual achievements that cause necessary unease. However, "The Oblong Box" isn't forceful enough with its genre ingredients, trying to remain weirdly respectable as it explores the feral highlights of serial killing and live burials.