Ride the Pink Horse Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of Robert Montgomery's "Ride the Pink Horse" offers an impressive visual experience, maintaining the film's original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC for a pristine 1080p transfer. The restoration, conducted in 2K resolution using a Lasergraphics film scanner from 35mm nitrate fine-grain and safety duplicate negatives, showcases meticulous attention to detail. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, warps, jitter, and flicker were manually addressed, complemented by Digital Vision's Phoenix for small dirt, grain, and noise management. This has resulted in a high-definition transfer where contrast levels are well-balanced and stable, ensuring that no problematic sharpening or degraining corrections mar the viewing experience.

The image quality is notably lush and healthy, with fine detail particularly prominent in close-ups, revealing intricate textures in facial features and clothing. Even in wider shots, background elements retain significant detail without sacrificing overall visual clarity. The film’s excellent black-and-white photography benefits hugely from this restoration, with blacks appearing rich and full-bodied while varying across the gray scale without any distortion like crush or banding. Whites effectuate a warm glow without running too hot. Despite some minor density fluctuations and very light grain presence throughout the film, these do not detract from the overall image stability and depth, which remain convincingly fluid.

Large debris, cuts, damage marks, and stains have been expertly minimized, leaving only a few specific frames with visible traces of wear. This careful and thoughtful restoration ensures that the film retains its historical authenticity while providing modern audiences with a smooth and immersive viewing experience. While this release is Region-A locked, requiring a Region-A or Region-Free player, it stands as a stellar testament to Criterion's dedication to preserving and presenting classic cinema.

The Blu-ray of "Ride the Pink Horse" features a single audio track, an English LPCM 1.0, which covers most of the film flawlessly. Criterion has also included optional English SDH subtitles, enhancing the accessibility of this release. The audio restoration work is commendable, showcasing a cleaned and stabilized track with high frequencies that are effortlessly balanced and free from distortion. There is no noticeable background hiss, a testament to the meticulous cleaning process. Depth and clarity are impressive for a monaural track, but as expected, the nuanced dynamics remain limited. Dialogue is stable and remarkably clear, which is crucial for a film where conversations drive much of the narrative.

The LPCM 1.0 track effectively balances dialogue with Frank Skinner's musical score, producing an atmospheric sound that aligns perfectly with the film's intentions. The sound effects, while not particularly powerful, contribute to the immersive experience without drawing unnecessary attention. Scenes set in crowded spaces, such as busy restaurants and the pivotal festival, benefit from a notable sense of place and ambiance, enriching the overall viewing experience. Ultimately, this monaural track delivers a surprisingly rich auditory experience, ensuring that dialogue remains the focal point while providing sufficient atmospheric support.

The Extras in the Blu-ray release of "Ride the Pink Horse" present a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the film noir genre and its specific articulation through Robert Montgomery's vision. Key features include an engaging commentary by noted film noir historians Alain Silver and James Ursini, who deeply analyze the deviations from Dorothy B. Hughes' novel and cinematographer Russell Metty’s techniques. Imogen Sara Smith provides an in-depth video interview examining the unique elements that set this film apart within the noir canon. Furthermore, the complete Lux Radio Theater adaptation re-engages the original cast, adding a nostalgic audio experience. Accompanied by a richly illustrated leaflet with an essay by Michael Almereyda, this collection is indispensable for film noir aficionados and scholars alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary Featuring Film Noir Historians Alain Silver and James Ursini: Analysis of thematic deviations, script, and cinematography.
• In Lonely Places: Imogen Sara Smith discusses film noir elements in "Ride the Pink Horse."
• Lux Radio Theater Adaptation of 'Ride the Pink Horse': Features original cast members in this radio drama.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by Michael Almereyda.

Robert Montgomery's 'Ride the Pink Horse' (1947), adapted from Dorothy B. Hughes' novel, is a compelling entry into the film noir genre, leveraging its unique southwest locale to carve out a niche within American border noir. The narrative follows the embittered GI Lucky Gagin (Montgomery), seeking retribution against crime boss Frank Hugo (Fred Clark) in the vibrant yet shadowy town of San Pablo during its annual fiesta. The atmospheric visuals are meticulously crafted by Oscar-winning cinematographer Russell Metty, known for his work on 'Touch of Evil.' The film deftly blends striking silhouette shots with a soundtrack by Frank Skinner that effectively captures the brooding tone of the story.

Central to the film's allure is its complex character dynamics and cultural contrasts, underscored by a script from the acclaimed Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer. Gagin's interactions with the morally ambiguous FBI agent Bill Retz (Art Smith) and the affable carousel owner Pancho (Thomas Gomez) paint a picture of post-war disillusionment and an arduous journey toward redemption. Wanda Hendrix's portrayal of Pila, the naive yet earnest Indigenous girl, introduces a poignant layer of empathy and humanity, contrasting Gagin’s cynical outlook. The film diverges from typical noir by allowing these secondary characters to guide Gagin back towards his lost humanity, imbuing the film with an unexpected glimmer of hope amidst the prevalent darkness.

Montgomery's directorial choices are notable for their immersive quality, often framing scenes over Gagin's shoulder to engage viewers directly with his perspective. As Gagin’s moral transformation progresses, so does his visual representation, evolving from a detached antihero to a more relatable figure framed with increasing transparency. This technique, combined with the engaging narratives of Pila and Pancho who transcend their initial roles to become pivotal players in the film’s climax, allows 'Ride the Pink Horse' to stand out not just as a film noir but as a rich tapestry of emotional and cultural exploration.

Criterion’s release of "Ride the Pink Horse" on Blu-ray is nothing short of a revelation for film noir aficionados. Directed by and starring Robert Montgomery, this long-hidden gem from 1947 is finally given the meticulous restoration it deserves. The film centers around Lucky Gagin, a war veteran who gets embroiled in a complex plot of revenge and betrayal against the stark backdrop of post-war America. The script by Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer stands out as particularly strong, weaving an intricate story that smartly balances elements of cynicism and optimism.

The technical quality of the Blu-ray is exceptional. Criterion’s remastering process has breathed new life into the film’s superb cinematography, capturing the stark interplay of light and shadow that is a hallmark of noir. Every frame, from the dusty streets to the dimly lit interiors, is sharp and well-defined. The sound is also clear, preserving the gritty dialogue and atmospheric musical score. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes a rich array of special features, such as interviews and documentaries, which provide valuable context and deepen appreciation for this classic film.

Ultimately, "Ride the Pink Horse" is a must-have for fans of the genre and classic cinema in general. With its top-notch restoration and insightful extras, Criterion has truly done justice to this underappreciated film. Highly recommended for any serious film collection.

For a long period of time, Robert Montgomery's "Ride the Pink Horse" was very difficult to see, but thanks to Criterion, there is finally a legitimate release that does the film justice. There is a lot to like in the film, but I personally think it works as well as it does because Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer’s script is absolutely phenomenal. Do not miss it, folks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.