Wake Island Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Wake Island" boasts a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition transfer, presented in the film's original 1.36:1 aspect ratio. The transfer is commendable, delivering a clear and crisp visual experience. This high-definition scan preserves a fine layer of film grain, contributing to the cinematic authenticity. Despite occasional marks and thin scratches, the majority of the presentation is impressive, with the black and white cinematography faithfully reproduced. Noteworthy is the window-boxed opening credits, an original feature maintained in the transfer.

However, it's essential to note that this is not a remastered transfer, leading to some visible wear and tear on the print. The grain can be thick, especially in scenes featuring expansive skies, and there are flurries of scratches and speckling present. Nevertheless, the underlying quality shines through with excellent clarity, rich blacks, and well-defined whites. The grayscale enhances depth and detail, providing a realistic portrayal of day-for-night and nocturnal scenes. Despite occasional crush and rough elements diminishing some of the impact of the renowned cinematography by William C. Mellor and Theodore Sparkuhl, the overall visual fidelity remains impressive, delivering sharp close-ups and crisply rendered explosions.

In summary, while minor imperfections do persist, Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release likely presents "Wake Island" in its best visual format to date. The organic film grain and faithful grayscale representation stand out, making it a significant improvement over previous DVD releases.

The DTS-HD Master Audio mono track of "Wake Island" offers an outstanding auditory experience that complements the high-quality video scan perfectly. Dialogue is consistently crisp and clear, never sounding muffled or thin, which ensures that conversations are easily understood. High-resolution encoding helps the track to sound its absolute best, delivering detailed and vibrant audio despite having less bass than a modern production. Optional English subtitles are available for those who prefer them.

The audio presentation enriches the viewing experience, especially in the intense battle scenes. The whirring plane engines, exploding bombs and grenades, and the sharp rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun fire are rendered with a clarity and distinction that make viewers feel as though they are in the thick of the action. Strong bass frequencies effectively capture the rumbles of these explosive sequences, and a wide dynamic scale handles artillery effects and David Buttolph's rousing music score without any distortion. There's no age-related hiss, pops, or crackle, making this likely the best the movie has ever sounded on home video—significantly improving over previous DVD releases.

The Blu Ray release of "Wake Island" includes a well-rounded selection of extras that offer informative and engaging content for enthusiasts. The audio commentary by filmmaker/historian Steve Mitchell and Combat Films: American Realism author Steven Jay Rubin stands out as particularly valuable. It delves into the production, cast and crew insights, the movie's various locations, and geographic and historical context of Wake Island. The commentators also discuss the brutal treatment of American POWs, historical inaccuracies, and the nature of war over time. Their dynamic interaction and passion for the film adds an infectious enthusiasm to the commentary track.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell and Author Steven Jay Rubin: In-depth discussion on film production, historical context, and cast insights.
• Wake Island Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical trailer promoting the film.
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: Additional trailers for films such as The Eagle and The Hawk, Fixed Bayonets!, Run Silent, Run Deep, Time Limit, Ten Seconds to Hell, and Calcutta.

"Wake Island" is a riveting exploration of the perils of wartime, tracing back to 1941. Based on true events, this John Farrow-directed masterpiece dives into the lives of a group of U.S. Marines battling against the Japanese forces post-Pearl Harbor. With commendable cinematography by William C. Mellor and Theodor Sparkuhl, every shot is visually captivating. The realism brought forth by art directors Hans Dreier and A. Earl Hedrick enhances the film's authenticity, while the score by David Buttolph perfectly complements the tense atmosphere.

The editing by Frank Bracht and LeRoy Stone heightens the film’s intensity, seamlessly transitioning between aerial and ground combat scenes, making it a memorable cinematic experience. The screenplay, crafted by W.R. Burnett and Frank Butler, effectively portrays the struggle and brotherhood of men during war, despite initial segments of misplaced humor. The narrative builds to a gripping climax, showcasing both valor and vulnerability among the characters.

Performances are solid across the board, with Brian Donlevy delivering a nuanced portrayal of Major Geoffrey Caton and William Bendix earning an Oscar nomination for his role as a troublemaking Marine. The authentic depiction of events unfolds with a notable mix of staged scenes and location work, making it one of the more credible war films of its era. While the film introduces some patriotic embellishments deviating slightly from historical accuracy, "Wake Island" remains a distinguished piece of WWII propaganda cinema, notable for its commitment to realism and emotional depth.

"Wake Island" remains one of the most honored war films from World War II, capturing the intense battle by U.S. Marines to defend a critical Pacific island shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack. While the film begins with somewhat outdated comedic scenes that might feel incongruent, it quickly pivots to a compelling narrative underscored by noteworthy performances and direction. Despite these initial tonal inconsistencies, the impact of the historical events portrayed ensures the film regains its footing.

The Blu-ray release by Kino presents a mixed bag: viewers will find a video transfer that, while improved over previous iterations, displays occasional lapses in quality. However, this is balanced by an outstanding lossless audio track that enlivens the intense combat scenes, fully immersing audiences in the unfolding drama. The addition of an insightful commentary track further enriches the viewing experience, providing valuable context and depth to the film’s events and production.

In conclusion, "Wake Island" is an impressive war-time film with a pulse-pounding conclusion. The final act of the film is worth the price of admission alone. The experience is one that is worth taking. There are many great visuals in the film: the aerial shots are a sight to behold. The Blu-ray release features an impressive video-audio presentation and comes recommended.