The Naked City Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC specifically for a 1080p transfer, The Naked City's Blu-ray presentation is a hallmark of meticulous restoration efforts. Spearheaded by TLEFilms Film Restoration & Preservation Services in Berlin, this new 4K digital restoration utilized four separate elements —primarily a 35mm nitrate fine-grain master positive from the British Film Institute and a safety duplicate negative. Utilizing advanced film scanners such as the IMAGICA Imager XE Advanced Plus and Scanity HDR, the restoration team has delivered visuals with outstanding consistency and stability. Digital enhancements were conducted using industry-leading tools like Pixel Farm's PFClean 2017 and Foundry's Furnace 4, ensuring that the noir aesthetics and cinematic depth were preserved and polished effectively.

The resulting presentation is nothing short of impressive. The image clarity is remarkably crispy and textured, creating a fresh appearance that belies the film’s age. The dynamic range of grays, whites, and blacks notably enhances the perception of depth in numerous scenes, lending a healthy vibrancy to the visuals. Noteworthy is the impeccable grading job, which reconstructs the atmospheric noir shadows and darkness quintessential to the era. Black levels are rich and natural, enabling intricate patterns, textures, and details on darker surfaces to be discerned clearly without any crushing. The spatial dynamics are pronounced, with natural, smooth camera movements that capture the expansive ambience of New York's exteriors and the remarkable scale of the film's climactic scenes.

Overall, Criterion's Blu-ray release of The Naked City boasts an excellent restoration, free from encoding anomalies and artifacts. The flicker-free, stabilized visuals combined with the improved clarity create a viewing experience that fans will undoubtedly appreciate. This release stands as a testament to the detailed and painstaking work behind film preservation and restoration.

The audio presentation of "The Naked City" Blu-ray features an English LPCM 1.0 track, staying true to the film's original mono mix. Optional English SDH subtitles are available for accessibility. Upon comparative analysis with the Region-B release, the audio on this Blu-ray offers a slightly more opened-up sound stage, benefitting from enhanced clarity in certain areas. However, the dynamic intensity remains conservative, consistent with the era's limitations, and exhibiting no significant dynamic contrasts. The restoration effort is noteworthy as there are no encoding anomalies, ensuring a faithful and clean representation of the original audio.

The mix is centered on the front center channel speaker, maintaining fidelity to its mono origins. Despite the absence of low-frequency extension and surround sound presentation, the separation of effects, score, and vocals is well-articulated, creating an impressive depth and layered soundscape. The clarity and natural quality of sound effects stand out in this restoration. Dialogue reproduction is particularly praiseworthy; vocals are delivered with a crispness that integrates seamlessly with the analog source's slight hiss. The voice-over narration blends impeccably with dialogue, often creating the illusion that the narrator is an on-screen character, either slightly out of sync or speaking with their back to the camera.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Naked City" provide an in-depth and engaging exploration of the film's creation and impact. Noteworthy features include a 2004 interview with director Jules Dassin at LACMA, where he recounts compelling anecdotes about filming in New York City and his relationships with key figures like producers Mark Hellinger and Darryl F. Zanuck. Additionally, archival interviews with film experts such as James Sanders and Dana Polan offer insightful perspectives on the film's authentic depiction of 1940s New York and its social themes. Writer Malvin Wald's audio commentary provides a comprehensive look at the creative process behind the film, touching on its unique narrative structure and the blacklisting of certain cast and crew members. Complementing these features is a rich collection of production stills and a detailed, illustrated booklet that contextualizes the movie's historical and technical background.

Extras included in this disc:

• Jules Dassin at LACMA: 2004 interview recounting the making of the film and director's experiences.
• James Sanders: Archival interview discussing the film's depiction of 1940s New York.
• Dana Polan: Archival interview analyzing the film’s social commentary.
• Stills Gallery: Collection of production stills, posters, and behind-the-scenes photos.
• Audio Commentary: Writer Malvin Wald discusses the film's creation and the blacklisting of its director.
• Booklet: 14-page booklet with essays by Luc Sante and Mark Hellinger, including technical credits.

"The Naked City," directed by Jules Dassin, exemplifies masterful film noir and police procedural storytelling, captured vividly in this Blu-ray release. Shot entirely on location in New York City, the authenticity and grittiness of the urban landscape are starkly mesmerizing. Dassin's use of real environments, combined with the unaware crowds of the time, creates a documentary-like feel that immerses viewers deeply into the narrative. The film is narrated by producer Mark Hellinger, whose casual yet authoritative commentary contrasts sharply with the genre's typical glamorized danger, adding a layer of trust and focus on procedural intricacies.

The film’s structure and narrative style break from traditional film noir through their methodical, almost mundane portrayal of detective work. Barry Fitzgerald as Detective Dan Muldoon and Don Taylor as Jimmy Halloran deliver performances that thrive on happening in raw situations rather than rehearse dramatic flair. This effectively complements the realistic narrative tone. The film's score by Miklós Rózsa and Frank Skinner, along with William Daniels' Oscar-winning cinematography, enhances the metropolitan heartbeat of the story. Their contributions ensure that the suspense and action sequences maintain a timeless quality.

"The Naked City" also deviates from genre norms by stripping away any fantasy or sexiness typical of film noir in favor of brutal realism. Scenes like the opening murder feel disturbingly naturalistic, embodying an unfiltered glimpse into criminality. This blend of gripping procedural drama with realistic character portrayals and unpredictable plot twists make it a landmark in the genre. It's a testament to Dassin’s directorial prowess that the film’s themes and execution remain relevant, providing a historical snapshot that resonates with contemporary audiences while laying the groundwork for future police dramas.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "The Naked City" is a masterful amalgamation of technical prowess and historical significance. The film, directed by Jules Dassin, provides an authentic portrayal of 1940s New York, brought vividly to life through meticulous on-location shooting. The 4K restoration executed by TLEFilms in Berlin elevates this noir classic to contemporary standards, ensuring crisp visuals and enhanced details that previously went unnoticed. The Criterion Collection has outdone itself in preserving the raw essence of this booming metropolis, making it a visual treat for both long-time aficionados and new viewers alike.

In addition to the stunning restoration, Criterion has curated a comprehensive suite of supplementary materials. These include insightful interviews, detailed analyses of the film’s impact on the genre, and a fascinating vintage commentary track. Each feature contributes to a deeper understanding of the film’s legacy and demonstrates Criterion's commitment to celebrating cinema in its finest form. The supplementary materials not only enhance the viewing experience but also provide invaluable context that enriches appreciation of this seminal work.

It is not the murder case or its resolution but the on-location shooting and authentic atmosphere that make Jules Dassin's "The Naked City" such a unique film. And this is why it is still so fascinating to behold -- it offers a raw glimpse at a booming metropolis that no longer exists. Criterion's upcoming release is sourced from a brand new 4K restoration that was completed by TLEFilms in Berlin. It is the best technical presentation of the film that I have seen to date. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.