Touch of Evil Blu-ray Review

Universal's Blu-ray release of "Touch of Evil" features an impressive 1080p, AVC-encoded presentation that excels in delivering outstanding visual quality. The detail is superb, with gorgeously deep blacks and precise reproduction of Russell Metty's critical interplay of light and shadow. This meticulous attention to detail supports Orson Welles’s trademark deep focus photography, revealing layers of intricacies in scenes such as the climactic sequence where Vargas tails Quinlan. Minutiae in the set design, even during dark sequences, remain distinctly visible, enhancing the viewing experience significantly.

Restored and remastered from the original 35mm elements for its reconstructed version, the film bypasses Universal's typical digital processing. The result is a presentation that closely resembles film, featuring a fine grain pattern without high-frequency filtering or artificial sharpening. A well-balanced contrast and clean, crisp whites are evident throughout. This clarity allows for distant objects like building lines and billboards to be seen with remarkable precision. However, it's worth noting that this release only presents the film in the commonly debated 1.85:1 aspect ratio, not offering the original 1.37:1 format as an option.

In summary, this Blu-ray release of "Touch of Evil" showcases excellent definition and sharpness, revealing lifelike textures in faces and costumes. Although minor imperfections related to aged footage are present, the overall video quality is exceptional. Black levels are inky rich, with shadows showing splendid gradations. The high-definition transfer faithfully honors Metty’s deep-focus photography, providing an engaging and immersive viewing experience that is sure to please fans of this noir classic.

The audio presentation of "Touch of Evil" on Blu-ray is captured in two-channel lossless DTS-HD MA, preserving the film's original mono sound. The Reconstructed Version, crafted by Oscar-winning sound mixer Walter Murch, particularly shines in its dedication to Orson Welles's intended sound design. Welles's vision for the opening sequence emphasized environmental sounds and diegetic music from car radios and nightspots, a departure from the traditional Henry Mancini score used in other versions. This meticulous recreation makes for a markedly different auditory experience, one that enriches the narrative atmosphere significantly. Additionally, synchronization tweaks throughout the film highlight an impressive attention to detail while maintaining the authenticity of a 1958 mono mix.

While the DTS-HD MA mono soundtrack may not match the visual impact, it still delivers a robust and satisfying audio experience. The mix proficiently captures each element of the environmental soundscape, providing vivid clarity and detail that enhances the film’s setting. The bass is well-balanced, adding appropriate weight to the score and action sequences. However, some minor technical drawbacks persist. Certain vocal elements occasionally sound hollow, imparting an empty quality to specific dialogues. The dynamic range, though competent, tends to be slightly flat and uniform. Despite these minor issues, the overall audio track remains effective and should meet the expectations of fans seeking an authentic cinematic experience from this classic film.

The Blu-ray edition of "Touch of Evil" includes a substantial suite of extras, all expertly ported over from the 50th Anniversary DVD release. The short documentary "Bringing Evil to Life" details the film's production with insightful contributions from key actors and filmmakers. "Evil Lost & Found" offers a comprehensive look at the reconstruction process featuring editor Walter Murch and restorationist Bob O'Neil. Four separate audio commentaries enhance the experience, each providing unique perspectives—from Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh's recollections to Rick Schmidlin's detailed recount of the reconstruction efforts—alongside a defense of the original theatrical cut by F.X. Feeney and an analysis of the preview version by Welles historians Jonathan Rosenbaum and James Naremore. Additionally, Orson Welles's 1957 memo is included as a convenient printed booklet, integral for understanding the film’s intended reconstruction.

Extras included in this disc:

• Bringing Evil to Life: Focus on the film's production with interviews from cast, crew, and filmmakers.
• Evil Lost & Found: Overview of the reconstruction process.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original film trailer.
• Commentaries: Four insightful tracks with film stars, producers, and historians.
• Orson Welles's 1957 Memo: Printed booklet detailing Welles’s instructions for the film’s reconstruction.

Orson Welles' noir masterpiece "Touch of Evil" stands as an exceptional portrayal of a crime thriller, bringing a starkly stylized vision of human corruption to the screen. The convoluted production history, marked by significant studio interference, has resulted in multiple versions of the film. Initially released in 1958 in a heavily edited 95-minute Theatrical Version, the film did not fully reflect Welles' original intent. It wasn't until Welles' detailed 58-page memo and subsequent reconstructions, particularly the 112-minute Reconstructed Version assembled in the late 1990s by producer Rick Schmidlin and editor Walter Murch, that audiences began to appreciate Welles’ true vision. These versions are now available in diverse aspect ratios including 1.85:1 and 1.37:1, preserving Welles' intricate mise-en-scène and narrative complexity.

The plot begins with a masterfully executed long take depicting a bomb being planted in a car—a sequence celebrated for its technical brilliance in direction, editing, and sound design. This set piece introduces the perpetual tension maintained throughout the film. Central to the narrative is the clash between Mexican Narcotics Officer Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston) and American Police Captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles). Their confrontation escalates against a backdrop of cross-border crime while themes of morality and ethical compromise pervade the storyline. Vargas' idealistic pursuit of justice intertwines with Quinlan's corrupt tendencies, creating a morally ambiguous tableau underscored by Welles' complex characterizations and Russell Metty's striking cinematography. The interplay of light and shadow in every frame, combined with Henry Mancini's dynamic jazz score, amplifies the film's atmospheric tension.

Throughout "Touch of Evil," Welles infuses layers of narrative and visual texture—his penchant for overlapping dialogue and intricate framing creates a rich, immersive experience. The moral decay and personal vendettas driving the characters resonate through every scene, making each viewing revealing of new intricacies. Critics and scholars have reevaluated "Touch of Evil" as a defining film within the noir genre, not merely for its thematic depth but also for Welles' masterful execution amidst significant creative challenges.

Orson Welles' Touch of Evil is a seminal work in the film noir genre, showcasing a rich tapestry of corruption and moral ambiguity. With its stark cinematography, intricate narrative, and exceptional performances by Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Welles himself, this crime thriller remains astoundingly relevant. The Blu-ray release of Touch of Evil offers a pristine visual experience, retaining the film's original grain structure and delivering an impressive range of contrasts that highlight its stark visual style. The audio is equally robust, with clear dialogue and atmospheric sound effects that enhance the moody tension of the film. The included bonus features are robust and insightful, providing context and depth for both long-time fans and newcomers.

The restoration efforts to bring Touch of Evil closer to Welles' original vision have been meticulous: each frame reflects careful consideration for authenticity and quality. The high-definition transfer showcases the film's shadowy allure, while the audio restoration amplifies the haunting score and crisp dialogues. Notably, the Blu-ray package includes multiple versions of the film, allowing viewers to appreciate Welles' complex narrative from different editorial perspectives. The supplementary content, including interviews, documentaries, and commentary tracks, enriches the viewing experience, offering an educational glimpse into the intricate process behind this masterpiece.

It's unfortunate that we will never have the final version of Touch of Evil that Orson Welles envisioned when he was shooting the film for Universal. What we have, though, is a unique and memorable creation of such compelling power that an unprecedented effort was mounted to bring the film as close to its creator's vision as the existing materials would allow. In whatever version you choose to see it, Touch of Evil makes a lasting impression. Universal's Blu-ray presentation is first-rate and highly recommended.