The Stranger Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Stranger" features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, derived from a 35mm print. While it's evident that significant restoration work was involved, the result offers mixed outcomes. Film Chest has managed to clean the print considerably, making it nearly free of dirt and debris. However, this has come at the expense of almost all film grain, leading to a textureless appearance. The transfer suffers from an overall softness and overblown contrast, especially noticeable in outdoor scenes where whites nearly bloom. On the positive side, black levels are frequently exceptional, enhancing Welles' shadowy scenes. Despite some impressively sharp close-ups, the overall image quality feels underwhelming given the capabilities of high-definition.

Technical issues further complicate the presentation. Significant digital tampering is evident, including excessive noise reduction that removes natural grain, resulting in an unusually smooth image devoid of fine details. The transfer's contrast is poorly managed, leading to whitewashing on several objects and clipped highlights around faces and clothes. Shadows and daylight exterior shots reveal hints of posterization. Nonetheless, deep blacks remain a strong point in this release. Comparing this Blu-ray version to previous DVD releases, one might find the latter more appealing, as the high-definition upgrade falls short in delivering the expected clarity and detail of an archivally preserved film.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "The Stranger" has notable shortcomings. The source elements for both the Dolby 5.1 and 2.0 tracks exhibit considerable wear, with persistent issues like overwhelming hiss, pops, and cracks. At times, these anomalies become quite disruptive, and there are also brief synchronization issues that further detract from the listening experience. While the dialogue remains clear and crisp, the overall sound quality suffers from a rather boxy characteristic, with severely compressed highs and lows. This is unfortunate given Bronislaw Kaper's beautiful underscore, which loses much of its depth and richness in this compromised audio environment.

The absence of a lossless audio offering exacerbates the issues, especially for a film that relies heavily on its dialogue and score. The 5.1 mix, in particular, feels underwhelming and unnecessary, providing little to no immersion. In contrast, the 2.0 track fares slightly better, adhering closer to the film's original sound design. However, neither option manages to convey a strong aural presence. The mid-range is decently balanced, giving some clarity to the film’s acoustics, but the track lacks any substantial low-end, which diminishes the fullness of the voices and ambient sounds. Additional problems arise with sporadic static towards the end of the movie, pulling viewers out of the story's suspenseful atmosphere.

Ultimately, while "The Stranger" remains an entertaining classic, this Blu-ray edition's audio presentation leaves much to be desired. The damage to the source tracks combined with the lossy codec results in a subpar listening experience that fails to do justice to the film's original soundscape and Kaper's evocative score.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Stranger" are minimal but effectively demonstrate the film's restoration process and provide a contemporary take on classic promotional material. The Restoration Demo vividly showcases a split-screen comparison, highlighting the extensive work undertaken to bring the film’s visuals to their pristine condition. The trailer included follows a retro style, offering a nostalgic nod to classic cinema previews, though it is a modern creation. Additionally, the inclusion of a postcard featuring the Blu-ray cover art serves as a small but appreciated collectible for fans. While the selection of extras may appear scant, they contribute valuable insights and memorabilia related to the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Restoration Demo: Split-screen comparison showing the restoration process.
• Trailer: Contemporary preview emulating classic trailer styles.
• Postcard: Collectible postcard with Blu-ray cover art.

Orson Welles' 1946 film "The Stranger" provides a mesmerizing and intricately layered presentation of post-World War II America, specifically during a pre-McCarthy era. Set against the backdrop of a sylvan Connecticut town, the film serves as an incisive examination of the American psyche during a time when the scars of war were still fresh. Its protagonist, Nazi war criminal Franz Kindler, portrayed by Welles himself, lives incognito as a prep school professor named Charles Rankin, drawing viewers into a proto-noir atmosphere full of implied menace and political tension. The film’s brilliantly literate script, co-written by Welles and others, astutely parodies the sanguinity and burgeoning paranoia that characterized post-war America. Notably, it includes pioneering cinema techniques and innovatively shot scenes that compel viewers to peer beyond the surface to uncover deeper truths.

"The Stranger" showcases stellar performances from Edward G. Robinson as government agent Mr. Wilson and Loretta Young as Mary, Rankin’s unsuspecting bride. Robinson's portrayal of an Ahab-like hunter trailing a cunning fugitive adds layers of tension and psychological intrigue, while Young’s luminous performance helps ground the film’s emotional stakes. Welles’ directorial prowess is evident throughout, especially in scenes filled with rich visuals and symbolic undertones—for instance, the integration of concentration camp footage presenting a stark reminder of recent atrocities. His inventive use of camera angles and foreground objects enriches the narrative and augments its noir-esque quality. While the climax may slip into a bit of grandiose posturing—attributed to producer Sam Spiegel's (working as S.P. Eagle) final cut—the film remains a testament to Welles' genius, seamlessly blending a political thriller into a captivating story that appeals to both casual viewers and critical cinephiles.

The film also reflects on Germany’s post-war reformation through pointed dinner table dialogues, offering critical commentary on international complacency. Despite Rankin's complex, grisly nature—as a man depicted as an architect of genocide manipulating his surroundings with alarming ease—Welles ensures the narrative momentum is never compromised. Cinematographer Russell Metty adds visual depth, using shadows and light to enhance the film’s chilling mood. Ultimately, "The Stranger" stands out for its compelling depiction of a high-stakes cat-and-mouse dynamic set in the darker recesses of American suburbia, illustrating Welles' exceptional ability to meld compelling storytelling with innovative cinematic techniques.

The Stranger" is a 1946 film noir masterpiece directed by Orson Welles, featuring a stellar cast including Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young, and Welles himself as a fugitive war criminal. The film delves into the moral complexities and dark undertones of post-war America while subtly interjecting Welles' directorial genius without overshadowing the narrative. A prescient piece of political philosophizing, it anticipates the McCarthy era and the placid yet uneasy 1950s.

The Blu-ray release by Virgil Films & Entertainment, however, falls short of doing justice to this classic. The video transfer is marred by noticeable digital tampering, impacting the visual integrity of Welles' work. Despite being a high-definition format, the image quality disappoints, lacking the sharpness and clarity expected from a Blu-ray transfer. The audio also performs subpar, with average sound quality that fails to elevate the viewing experience to modern standards. When it comes to supplements, the Blu-ray is deeply lacking, providing minimal additional content to enhance the understanding or appreciation of the film.

In conclusion, "The Stranger" is a fascinating film for numerous reasons, particularly its prophetic socio-political commentary and Welles' restrained yet impactful direction. While the film itself is worthy of recommendation, this Blu-ray edition, unfortunately, suffers from significant image and audio issues, making it a less-than-ideal purchase for fans and collectors. Recommended primarily for the film's historical and artistic significance rather than its technical presentation on this particular release.