Storm Fear Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Storm Fear" on Blu-ray offers an AVC encoded image with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, providing a fresh and appealing look for its HD debut. The 1080p/AVC-MPEG-4 encoded transfer ensures that detail is robust throughout the viewing experience, with notable sharpness in close-ups and an impressive depth in location shots. The opening exterior scenes particularly highlight the snow-covered ground, with the bright whites contrasting sharply with the inky blacks, creating a visually striking image. This clarity extends to the building textures, such as wood and stone, allowing fine details to be discernible.

However, the video does present some imperfections. While the image offers strong contrast and satisfactory shadow delineation, allowing mood lighting to register effectively, the source material does show its age with expected scratches, speckling, and occasional debris. Interior set decorations are rendered with enough clarity to be thoroughly inspected, adding to the film's visual depth. That said, the clear depth and sharp focus can sometimes make rear projection effects appear notably artificial. Yet, despite these minor drawbacks, the spectrum of gray shades and detail retention across winterscapes are commendable highlights of this transfer.

The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix provides an authentic representation, accommodating the period-specific limitations effectively. Elmer Bernstein’s dramatic score punctuates scenes with a robust orchestral presence, enhancing the overall atmosphere without overwhelming the dialogue. The sound mix maintains clarity, ensuring that dialogue exchanges remain crisp and direct, even during intense dramatic moments, without any noticeable distortion.

However, some technical imperfections are evident. For instance, there's a discernible softening of volume during certain scenes, such as the sequence in the hospital room. Additionally, a faint crackle can be detected during quieter moments, though the track largely exhibits minimal signs of age or wear. The interior and exterior sounds, including weather changes and mountain activity, are convincingly rendered, contributing to the environment's authenticity. Nevertheless, the harmonica dubbing for Charlie feels flat and distracts from the otherwise immersive experience.

The Blu Ray release of "Storm Fear" provides a limited but precisely curated selection of extras. Each element complements the main feature effectively, ensuring enthusiasts get a taste of similar thematic works. The included trailers transport viewers back to the classic era of noir cinema, offering glimpses of suspense-laden storytelling which echoes the tone of "Storm Fear". Despite a minimalist approach, the selection is valuable for aficionados of the genre.

Extras included in this disc:

Trailers: Previews from related film noir titles such as ‘He Ran All The Way’, ‘A Bullet for Joey’, and ‘Witness to Murder’.

"Storm Fear" (1955), Cornel Wilde’s directorial debut, is a potent mixture of home-invasion thriller and intimate family drama. Adapted by Horton Foote from Clinton Seeley's novel, the film compellingly explores themes of isolation and deep-seated psychological dysfunction within a family. Central to the plot is the fraught reunion between failed writer Fred (Dan Duryea) and his wounded bank-robbing brother, Charlie (Wilde), who brings along two unsavory accomplices and significant emotional turmoil. The isolated mountaintop setting becomes a cauldron for paranoia, emasculation, and long-buried hostilities. Fred’s wife, Elizabeth (Jean Wallace), and their son, David (David Stollery), are drawn into a masochistic familial dynamic, enriched by strong performances.

The storytelling is adeptly buttressed by Wilde's primal direction, which elevates him from a somewhat undistinguished actor to a director of undeniable talent. The film eschews expected man-against-nature tropes suggested by its title, leaning instead towards intense psychosexual tension and familial conflict. The cast delivers credible portrayals that prevent the drama from slipping into melodrama, with Duryea particularly standing out in his atypical role as a beleaguered and cowardly patriarch. Elizabeth's complex behavior towards Charlie, subtly suggestive of infidelity and unresolved desires, deepens the familial rifts and adds an engaging layer to the narrative.

Supporting characters, while somewhat stereotypical, fulfill their roles without upsetting the story’s balance. Charlie’s dynamism and Elizabeth's ambiguous intentions are especially noteworthy, providing the central thrust for much of the film’s dramatic tension. Unique revelations and intricate interpersonal dynamics maintain viewer interest throughout. Overall, "Storm Fear" is a gripping drama that showcases Wilde's nascent yet impressive directorial prowess and presents a darkly intricate portrait of a family under siege.

"Storm Fear" is an engaging crime drama that successfully transcends standard genre cliches through distinct narrative choices and strong performances. The film evolves from claustrophobic tension to an intense mountain chase, providing a mix of psychological depth and traditional suspense. The later shift to a more visceral confrontation adds an expected, though less intriguing, element that heightens viewer engagement. Yet, the film's return to sincerity and emotional resolution breaks away from conventional violent endings, infusing it with refreshing tenderness.

The cinematography by the esteemed Joseph La Shelle beautifully complements the film’s noir aesthetic. Known for his future work on classics like "The Apartment," La Shelle masterfully uses stark contrasts in lighting and black-and-white tones to craft visually striking scenes. The Blu-ray transfer is particularly impressive, preserving sharp details and deep blacks effectively, albeit occasionally highlighting some mismatched effects shots. The 2.0 sound mix is competent if unremarkable, although Elmer Bernstein’s exceptional score shines through prominently.

Kino’s Blu-ray release stands as a commendable effort that brings this relatively obscure title into the limelight. While extras are sparse, consisting only of trailers for other classic thrillers, the HD presentation is noteworthy. Overall, "Storm Fear" is a rewarding watch that balances classic noir elements with a unique emotional depth. Recommended for enthusiasts of the genre seeking something a bit different.