Prince of the City Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive's Blu-ray presentation of "Prince of the City" delivers an impressive 1080p visual experience synonymous with their commitment to quality. The film retains its gritty, unvarnished aesthetic while enhancing its finer details and natural grain structure. Sun-dappled exteriors and more luxurious interiors now appear with rich textures that highlight the distinctive architecture and style of the late 1970s and early 80s. The image is predominantly film-like, with a disciplined use of saturated colors where necessary, yet it maintains a deliberate muted palette in keeping with the movie's tone. While many scenes take place in dimly-lit, murky settings, shadow details remain crisp without succumbing to blurring or muddy low-resolution issues. Additionally, skin tones are accurately rendered throughout, complementing the film's authentic visual intent.

The technical aspects of the Blu-ray are exceptional, owing to its dual-layered BD-50 disc format that ensures high bit rate playback. The resolution stands robust with no sign of banding, artifacts, or edge enhancements disrupting the viewing experience. Despite not mentioning a full restoration, the transfer assumes at least a 2K level of quality, delivering a sharp and well-defined image with smooth motion transitions. Black levels are notably deep, providing excellent contrast and preserving detail without any crushing in darker scenes. The film's earthy color scheme, featuring tones such as browns, greens, and grays, is vividly full, with blues—particularly in police uniforms—appearing strong and distinct.

Although largely devoid of defects or debris, there is a slight frame jump observed around the 1:34:40 mark. This minor disturbance is brief and unlikely to impact overall enjoyment. In conclusion, this release exemplifies a purist's aspiration for a high-quality Blu-ray experience, making it a valuable upgrade for enthusiasts.

The audio presentation of "Prince of the City" on Blu-ray is captured through a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track, staying true to its original mono source. While the film’s modest one-channel design might not demand a complex audio mix, the stereo representation smartly divides the sound between the left and right speakers. This gives a refined and clean auditory experience, indicative of a dialogue-driven drama stretching nearly three hours, punctuated only occasionally by moments of sonic excitement such as intense rain scenes and heated altercations. The audio remains intelligible and well-balanced, retaining clarity with every spoken word, despite being a tad thin on the high end. This purist approach, preserving the film as it was originally intended, ensures that fans of the era will find it both familiar and satisfying.

Certain peculiarities in the source material have been noted, such as the brief re-dubbing instance at around 34:30 involving a character named Tiny. Interestingly, this anomaly persists from the 2007 DVD edition, confirming its long-standing presence in the film’s audio history. Although this minor glitch may be overlooked in some instances due to its subtlety, having optional English (SDH) subtitles available assists in maintaining clarity for the audience.

Overall, the original mono track delivers an engaging experience with its crisp dialogue reproduction that stands as the highlight of this audio mix. Despite lacking low-frequency extensions or surround sound presentations, the cleaned-up clarity and effective balance among vocals, music, and effects make "Prince of the City" a commendable effort for an authentic listening experience.

The Blu-ray edition of "Prince of the City" offers a noteworthy selection of extras, each contributing invaluable context to the film's intricate narrative and technical artistry. Central to this collection is "Prince of the City: The Real Story," a documentary directed by Laurent Bouzereau, featuring insights from key figures involved in both the true events behind the film and its cinematic portrayal. It encompasses interviews with Sidney Lumet and others, detailing the film's development while exploring Lumet’s innovative use of visual techniques like lens distortion to reflect the protagonist's psychological journey. Although not entirely focused on real events, the documentary bridges the story to its inspirations. Complementing this is a vintage theatrical trailer, providing a nostalgic promotional glimpse of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Prince of the City: The Real Story: A documentary exploring the film's background, featuring interviews with cast and crew.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage promotional piece for the movie.

Sydney Lumet's "Prince of the City" is a sprawling cop drama that deftly examines themes of corruption and betrayal within the NYPD's Special Investigations Unit. Anchored by Treat Williams' compelling portrayal of Detective Danny Ciello, the film dives deep into the murky waters of moral ambiguity as Ciello grapples with his own corrupt past while working with U.S. Attorney Rick Cappalino to expose police corruption. Lumet succeeds in creating a narrative that, while dense and complex with over 100 speaking parts, never loses its focus on Ciello's internal struggle. Despite its challenging 167-minute runtime, which some may find excessive, it captures the grittiness and intricacy of New York City's crime world with precision.

The storytelling is contemplative and deliberate, often reminiscent of HBO's "The Wire," allowing viewers to experience the labyrinthine process of internal affairs investigations without resorting to overly dramatized theatrics. Williams delivers one of his most potent performances, showcasing a cop caught in the throes of doubt and ethical quandary. This nuanced depiction elevates "Prince of the City" beyond typical police procedural films, offering a layered exploration of a man trapped by his own decisions.

Though it underperformed at the box office and received limited recognition during award season, the film remains relevant and gripping, with its strong foundations still resonating today. Warner Archive's Blu-ray release offers a robust audiovisual presentation that both returning fans and newcomers will appreciate. It provides an opportunity to (re)discover an underappreciated gem in Lumet's catalog—a film that bridges the gap between the director’s earlier work like "Serpico" and more contemporary crime epics akin to "Goodfellas." "Prince of the City" is not just a tale of corruption but a profound meditation on the human condition and the fine line between right and wrong.

Sidney Lumet's "Prince of the City" is a compelling exploration of police corruption, a theme as pertinent today as when the film was released. The narrative intricately weaves through the morally ambiguous lives of its characters, encapsulating the complexities of systemic corruption that slowly infiltrates public services, wreaking havoc on personal relationships. The film’s profound storytelling presents an engaging experience, enhanced by Warner Archive’s exceptional Blu-ray transfer that boasts impressive audiovisual fidelity. Moreover, the inclusion of extras from the 2007 DVD release adds significant value, offering insightful context for both newcomers and long-time fans.

Despite its underwhelming box office performance and limited recognition during awards season—with only one Academy Award nomination for its screenplay—"Prince of the City" remains a standout in Sidney Lumet's repertoire and showcases Treat Williams in one of his most notable performances. Williams' portrayal is crucial to grounding the complex narrative, and while the cast features seasoned actors such as Jerry Orbach and Bob Balaban, it is Williams’ compelling performance that truly anchors the film. This Blu-ray release from Warner Archive provides an opportunity for a broader audience to discover this hidden gem.

Overall, "Prince of the City" is an essential watch for enthusiasts of crime dramas like "The Wire". The Warner Archive’s Blu-ray edition is technically proficient and enriched with well-curated bonus material, making it a valuable acquisition. While it may not be frequently revisited due to its daunting length and heavy themes, its meticulous restoration and narrative depth ensure it holds a prominent place in any collection. Firmly recommended for fans and first-time viewers alike, this release helps cement the film's legacy and highlights its enduring relevance in contemporary discussions on law enforcement ethics.