King Creole Blu-ray Review

"King Creole" makes its Blu-ray debut with a new 4K master, framed in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, despite the packaging listing 1.85:1. The black-and-white cinematography is striking, revealing deep shadow details and minimal crush. The finely-tuned grayscale impresses with solid black levels and crisp whites, considerably enhanced from previous DVD releases. The encoding, presented in MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p resolution on a BD-50 layer, averages around 32 Mbps and maintains excellent clarity and detail, bringing out textures in clothing and surroundings. Facial detail remains notably sharp, although very mild DNR application appears to soften the grain slightly in some instances, resulting in smoother skin tones.

The AVC encode faithfully reproduces the film's natural grain structure, enhancing "King Creole's" rich noir atmosphere. The film captures deep blacks and inky shadows beautifully, illuminating finer details such as hair textures and fabric weaves. The grain is present but well-controlled, maintaining a healthy filmic quality throughout. Consequently, this Blu-ray release stands as the best home media presentation the film has ever received, with minimal print anomalies and no major encoding issues. The clean-up work eliminates almost all artifacts like tears, dirt, or scratches, contributing to a nearly pristine visual experience that feels refreshingly preserved yet modernized.

Overall, "King Creole" on Blu-ray is a success story of diligent restoration work. The 4K master has been sourced from high-quality elements, and despite the original camera negative no longer existing, the resulting image quality is sure to please most viewers. Film output is consistent, and the naturally film-like visual presence adds depth to the city streets and interiors, making Elvis Presley's performance come alive in the most visually compelling platform available yet—this Blu-ray promises a treat for both cinephiles and Elvis fans alike.

The audio presentation of "King Creole" offers two main tracks: a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD mix and a restored mono Dolby Digital track. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track excels in its delivery, despite the challenges of adapting a 1958 original mix to modern standards. Notably, this track does a commendable job with musical sequences, enriching them with robust bass, strong mids, and clean highs. While primarily front-heavy, it occasionally utilizes all six channels to create a fuller sound during musical numbers. Dialog clarity is generally excellent, though there can be minor fluctuations as characters move about, causing some drops in volume.

For purists, the restored mono track offers a more confined but well-balanced experience. It may lack the expansive soundstage of the 5.1 mix, but it provides an authentic feel true to the film’s original release. Both tracks are devoid of hiss, crackle, or significant distortion, ensuring an immersive listening experience. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix shines most in musical segments, capturing the energetic ambiance of Elvis's performances and the New Orleans backdrop, while dialogue remains firmly centered and clear.

Secondary audio options include German, Spanish, French, and Italian mono Dolby Digital tracks, supported by a range of subtitle options in English, English SDH, German, Spanish, French, and Italian. The Dolby TrueHD track is recommended for those seeking a modern, dynamic audio experience that breathes new life into the musical scenes, whereas the mono track retains the nostalgic authenticity of the original theatrical presentation. Both tracks contribute to making this Blu-ray release the best audio presentation of "King Creole" to date.

The "King Creole" Blu-ray, part of the Paramount Presents series, offers a single but insightful extra feature. "Filmmaker Focus" with Leonard Maltin provides an engaging six-minute overview, where the film critic discusses director Michael Curtiz’s vision, Elvis Presley's performance, and the film's overall aesthetic. Maltin effectively conveys the significance of producer Hal Wallis’ contributions as well. This featurette serves as a concise yet informative resource that highlights the cultural impact and technical prowess of "King Creole". Notably absent is the original theatrical trailer, which was included in previous DVD releases. For those focusing on Elvis’s musical performances, the scene selection menu identifies specific scenes featuring his songs.

Extras included on this disc:

• Filmmaker Focus: King Creole: Leonard Maltin provides an insightful look at the film's direction, acting, and cultural significance.

"King Creole," directed by the iconic Michael Curtiz, stands out as a unique and compelling film in Elvis Presley’s career. Set against the vibrant, yet perilous backdrop of New Orleans' Bourbon Street, the movie transcends its initial appearance as a mere star vehicle for Presley. Despite the staple elements of an Elvis movie – musical interludes and charisma – "King Creole" offers depth with strong narrative themes of ambition, betrayal, and moral conflict. Elvis shines in the role of Danny Fisher, a young man navigating the fraught transition from troubled youth to budding star under the looming threat posed by local gangster Maxie Fields, played by Walter Matthau. Supported by a talented cast, including Carolyn Jones and Dean Jagger, the film deftly intertwines music and serious drama.

Curtiz’s direction plays a pivotal role in extracting one of Presley’s most nuanced performances. He successfully curtails Presley’s characteristic stage exuberance, encouraging a portrayal that is restrained yet intensely human. This approach heightens the film's gravitas, shifting it from potential kitsch to a poignant exploration of a young man's struggle for identity and integrity amidst adversity. The screenplay, adapted from Harold Robbins' novel A Stone for Danny Fisher, retains its soul while cleverly tailoring the narrative to suit Presley’s strengths. Backed by robust supporting performances and meticulously scripted dialogue, the film moves seamlessly through its nearly two-hour runtime.

"King Creole" is distinguished not just by Elvis’s sublime musical performances but by its engrossing plot and layered character dynamics. The film’s atmospheric black-and-white cinematography enhances the gritty realism and noirish tones, making it more than just a platform for Presley to sing his hits like "Hard-Headed Woman" and "Trouble." It is a serious dramatic work punctuated by authentic musical moments. Its engaging storytelling remains timeless, cementing its status as arguably Elvis Presley’s finest cinematic achievement.

"King Creole" represents a significant addition to Paramount's catalog series, Paramount Presents, marking the film's debut on Blu-ray with a commendable 1080p transfer. Michael Curtiz’s sharp direction and a gripping screenplay elevate this musical drama, and Elvis Presley's impressive acting alongside a talented cast including Walter Matthau and Carolyn Jones. The film narrates the journey of a young man navigating his way in the complex world of fame and personal adversities, resonating well even in contemporary times. The presentation preserves the visual charm of New Orleans in the late 1950s, offering an immersive experience that both fans and cinephiles will appreciate.

Paramount’s Blu-ray release features the film in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 AVC with audio tracks including English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, French, Spanish, German, Italian DD Mono 2.0, and more. Supporting subtitles are provided in diverse languages, enhancing accessibility for international audiences. Although the extras are limited to a brief six-minute featurette hosted by Leonard Maltin, the appreciative tone and retrospective insights add value. However, the absence of additional substantial bonus materials such as a commentary by film historians or marketing memorabilia is noticeable. This may leave some enthusiasts yearning for a more comprehensive package.

Despite the minimalistic approach to supplementary content, the excellent video and audio restoration make this edition a must-have for fans. "King Creole" on Blu-ray underscores Elvis Presley’s capacity as a dramatic actor, providing his finest performance on film. Paramount’s focus on reviving classic gems is praiseworthy, and there’s hope they will continue to unearth more treasures from their expansive library. In conclusion, this release stands out in quality and presentation, making it highly recommended for both Elvis aficionados and those seeking quality classic cinema.