Gentleman's Agreement Blu-ray Review
Fox Studio Classics
Score: 66
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
A must-watch for fans of classic Hollywood drama, 'Gentleman's Agreement' offers dynamic performances and a remarkable Blu-ray restoration, despite its didactic approach to anti-Semitism.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 71
The Blu-ray of 'Gentleman's Agreement' boasts an exceptional 1080p/AVC transfer with pristine restoration; natural film grain and strong black-and-white gradation enhance Arthur C. Miller's cinematography, ensuring rich detail and clarity with minimal digital artifacts or debris.
Audio: 71
The DTS-HD Master Audio mono track delivers clear and balanced dialogue, devoid of crackles or muffling, with minimal age-related hiss. Alfred Newman's orchestral score is richly reproduced, creating a vibrant auditory experience. The track is free from distortions, offering a pristine listening experience consistent with the era's original audio.
Extra: 56
The Blu-ray extras for 'Gentleman's Agreement' provide an insightful and comprehensive exploration of the film's context and impact, featuring an informative if critical audio commentary by Richard Schickel, an engaging AMC Backstory mini-documentary, vintage newsreel footage, and the original theatrical trailer.
Movie: 71
"Gentleman's Agreement," directed by Elia Kazan, offers a stark, powerful examination of post-war American anti-Semitism with Gregory Peck's compelling portrayal and an award-winning ensemble cast. Although the film's blunt force honesty and simplistic presentation might feel dated to modern viewers, its socially conscious narrative and fine performances solidify its status as a classic in studio filmmaking.
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Video: 71
Fox has meticulously restored "Gentleman's Agreement," delivering a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that preserves the integrity of its original 35mm film grain with no digital noise reduction or edge enhancement. The print is impressively clean, with damage and debris effectively removed, apart from a few minor white specks that are scarcely noticeable. The black-and-white gradation stands out for its excellence, sporting robust but not overpowering blacks and flawless highlights. Arthur C. Miller's exemplary cinematography is beautifully showcased, with the transfer capturing his masterful use of light and shadow. Close-up shots reveal a remarkable level of detail, from the facial nuances of Gregory Peck to the textures of mid-century attire.
The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer highlights intricate details with commendable sharpness, though some scenes exhibit a slight softness. Grain levels provide a warm, film-like experience, enhancing the authenticity of the visual presentation. Rich and inky blacks deliver depth throughout, though there are rare instances of crush. The image maintains excellent stability, resisting shimmer in detailed patterns. Rear projection in exterior scenes is discernible but serves to emphasize the era-appropriate techniques. The overall clarity and contrast remain consistently strong, ensuring a compelling visual experience that remains true to the original material.
No digital artifacts or enhancements mar this pristine transfer, making it a faithful and natural rendering of the source material. The attention to detail in this video presentation not only does justice to Arthur C. Miller's cinematographic artistry but also reinforces the timeless quality of this Best Picture winner, ensuring it remains a visually engaging experience for contemporary audiences.
Audio: 71
The audio presentation of the "Gentleman's Agreement" Blu Ray is handled by a DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track, which provides a remarkably clear and dynamic soundscape for a film originally released in the 1940s. This lossless mono mix excels in delivering perfectly balanced dialogue that remains comprehensible even during emotionally heightened exchanges between characters. Impressively, the track is free from high-end crackles, muffling, pops, and other unwelcome artifacts—issues that are often intrinsic to recordings from this era. Furthermore, Alfred Newman's orchestral score is presented with a full-bodied richness, avoiding the tinny quality that can plague older soundtracks.
Listeners will appreciate the meticulous effort put into eliminating age-related hiss, making it noticeable only in the quietest scenes. The ambient noises, such as typewriters and traffic, come through with pristine clarity, adhering closely to the original audio while offering an engaging experience. Although the audio is anchored up front consistent with mono soundtracks, Newman's string-laden score impressively achieves a pseudo-stereo feel that enriches the auditory experience by filling the room with a pleasing purity of tone. All dialogue remains clear and literate, unobstructed by score or background elements. While the track does not offer significant bass or dynamic range, its unobtrusive and polished nature serves to anchor the film's audio excellently.
The additional presence of Spanish and French Dolby Digital mono dubs and optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles adds further value and accessibility. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track delivers an exemplary representation of the "Gentleman's Agreement" soundtrack, maintaining historical authenticity while ensuring contemporary clarity and enjoyment.
Extra: 56
The Blu-ray extras for "Gentleman's Agreement" provide a robust and insightful addition to the main feature, offering both critical analysis and historical context. The audio commentary by Richard Schickel is particularly noteworthy, providing a balanced critique of the film while offering behind-the-scenes insights about director Elia Kazan and the era. Co-stars June Havoc and Celeste Holm contribute with personal anecdotes, making the commentary enriching. The AMC Backstory is an essential featurette that delves into the making of the film, highlighting the socio-political climate of the time. Additional features include vintage Movietone newsreels and the original theatrical trailer, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the film’s initial reception.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: Patchwork commentary featuring co-stars and critic Schickel.
- AMC Backstory: Gentleman's Agreement: Mini-documentary exploring historical context.
- Movietonews: Newsreel clips from 1947.
- Theatrical Trailer: Post-Oscar promotional preview.
Movie: 71
Review of 'Gentleman's Agreement'
Elia Kazan's 'Gentleman's Agreement' is a crucial cinematic examination of the ingrained anti-Semitism in post-war America. Released in 1947, the film bravely confronts the unspoken and institutionalized discrimination prevalent at the time, using the narrative device of a Gentile journalist, Philip Schuyler Green (Gregory Peck), who pretends to be Jewish to write an exposé on the subject. Supported by a cast that includes Dorothy McGuire as his conflicted love interest and Celeste Holm, who won an Oscar for her role, Gregory Peck delivers a nuanced performance that reflects both simmering indignation and resolute perseverance as he navigates personal and professional challenges.
Based on Laura Z. Hobson's novel and adapted by Moss Hart, the screenplay occasionally veers into preachiness with its forthright depictions of anti-Jewish sentiment—incidents ranging from casual prejudice to overt discrimination cloud Green's everyday life. His relationships become strained, particularly with McGuire’s Kathy, who suggests the article but balks when confronted with her own latent prejudices. The episodic structure further emphasizes the pervasiveness of bigotry, from whispered warnings against Jewish doctors to children absorbing and replicating societal biases. While these scenes might seem heavy-handed by contemporary standards, their blunt-force honesty was necessary to shatter the silence surrounding such issues in the era.
'Gentleman's Agreement' won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director in 1948. Although some elements of Kazan’s film feel dated today, its core message remains resonant. The black-and-white cinematography by Arthur C. Miller heightens the film's dramatic tension, and the performances, particularly Peck's solid portrayal, lend credibility and depth. Despite moments of didactic dialogue, the film’s exploration of subtle bigotry—expressed through hesitant stammers and raised eyebrows—adds layers of complexity often missing in straightforward moral narratives. This classic retains its place in American film history, not only for its bold storytelling but also for spotlighting the moral imperative to confront prejudice head-on.
Total: 66
Elia Kazan's "Gentleman's Agreement," the director’s first major cinematic issue endeavor, remains a notable study of post-war America's pervasive anti-Semitism, confronting the topic head-on by candidly exposing the baseless prejudice. While the film’s didactic nature may feel a tad heavy-handed to contemporary audiences, this approach was necessary during an era when Americans tended to deny such racial and ethnic biases. Despite not being Kazan’s finest work, it garnered Best Picture and Directing Oscars in 1947, bolstered by strong performances from Gregory Peck and Dorothy McGuire.
Although "Gentleman's Agreement" may not stir the same level of controversy as it did upon its release, the film effectively conveys a meaningful message with intelligence and sensitivity. Its portrayal of enduring and insidious prejudice offers a sobering reflection on how deeply-rooted discrimination can flourish. The movie’s earnest presentation sometimes feels overly weighty, but its construction and the powerful acting from its cast keep it engaging and significant.
20th Century Fox's Blu-ray restoration of "Gentleman's Agreement" shines with an impressive transfer that enhances the film's visual and auditory aspects, along with a well-curated selection of supplements. This Oscar-winning drama may have dulled slightly over the years, but its potent message still resonates. The Blu-ray edition makes it an easy recommendation for both enthusiasts of classic mid-century cinema and those interested in memorable social commentary.
In conclusion, "Gentleman's Agreement" serves as an important reminder of past societal issues while continuing to offer valuable lessons today. The Blu-ray release ensures that Kazan’s bold narrative and the remarkable performances are preserved and presented exceptionally well, making it a worthwhile addition to any classic film collection.
Blu-ray.com review by Casey BroadwaterRead review here
Video: 80
And although there are a few softish shots here and there, most of the film is wonderfully sharp and detailed in closeup, from the chiseled good looks of Gregory Peck's face to the visible clothing textures...
Audio: 80
Most importantly, dialogue is perfectly balanced and always easily understood, with no high-end crackles or muffling, not even during the few instances where Schuyler and Kathy raise their voices at one...
Extras: 60
AMC Backstory: Gentleman's Agreement (SD, 24:27): A made-for-TV mini-documentary that explores the making of the film and its historical context, from the attitudes of Jewish Hollywood execs to the The...
Movie: 80
Instead of merely regurgitating the facts and figures of pervasive anti-Jewish sentiment, he decides to become a Jew�or, at least, pose as one�and write about the discrimination he experiences on a daily...
Total: 80
The first of Elia Kazan's "big issue" films, Gentleman's Agreement expresses righteous indignation at the widespread anti-Semitism in post-war 1940s America, taking on the then-hush-hush topic by baldly...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The opening credits look wonderfully crisp against a textured background, and contrast and clarity continue strong across the board, with fabrics, fine details, and close-ups all sporting a nice degree...
Audio: 80
Though bells and whistles are absent from this track, it nevertheless serves the film well, and its unobtrusive nature is a plus....
Extras: 40
He addresses the stagy screenplay, overbearing attitude, plot conventions, and stylized performances, but also lauds the authentic moments, analyzes the society that influenced the movie, and talks about...
Movie: 80
(Ironically, though, not a single black face can be seen anywhere in the film, which speaks volumes about the unwillingness of 'Gentleman's Agreement' - and Hollywood - to even hint at the nation's gaping...
Total: 60
'Gentleman's Agreement' may not be as incendiary as it was upon its release in 1947, but this message film still tackles a meaningful subject with tact, intelligence, and sensitivity....
Director: Elia Kazan
Actors: Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, John Garfield
PlotA journalist named Phil Green is tasked with writing an article on anti-Semitism for a progressive magazine. To understand the subject deeply, he decides to pose as a Jew, adopting the identity of "Phil Greenberg." His new identity soon exposes him to the bigotry and prejudice that Jewish people face, affecting both his personal and professional life. Through various interactions and experiences, he begins to see how pervasive discrimination is, even among those who consider themselves enlightened.
Green’s fiancée, Kathy Lacey, supports his assignment but struggles with her own ingrained biases. The social scenarios they find themselves in reveal the subtle and often unspoken ways in which prejudice manifests. Green's venture not only challenges his own beliefs but also tests the moral fiber of those around him. Although he gains valuable insights, the emotional toll and ethical dilemmas he faces grow increasingly complex as the assignment progresses.
Writers: Laura Z. Hobson, Moss Hart, Elia Kazan
Release Date: 01 Mar 1948
Runtime: 118 min
Rating: Approved
Country: United States
Language: English