The Stranger Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Stranger" by Kino-Lorber showcases a marked improvement over previous releases, including the 2011 edition from Film Chest. Sourced from a 35mm print preserved by the Library of Congress, this 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode prioritizes maintaining the film's original texture and grain structure, eschewing heavy digital noise reduction (DNR) and contrast boosting that plagued earlier transfers. While this means viewers will encounter specks, vertical scratches, and the occasional missing frame, it also ensures a more natural, filmic look. The resulting image demonstrates high clarity and strong detail, particularly in close-ups of faces and fabrics. Contrast is better balanced compared to past editions, presenting less tampering and achieving a more authentic black and white photography.

Despite these improvements, some imperfections remain. The image displays a thin layer of natural grain consistently throughout the film’s runtime, enhancing the authentic viewing experience. However, there are persistent white specks, dirt, and scratches that can at times be distracting. Notably, a thin scratch appears on the left side of the frame at the beginning and shifts to the right side toward the film’s conclusion. While black levels exhibit good gradational details with occasional blooming in highlights, some scenes appear slightly faded and murky. Overall, while it may not reach the hypothetical "Criterion treatment" levels of restoration, this release is arguably the best presentation of "The Stranger" available to date, retaining its cinematic integrity and offering an appreciably improved visual experience.

The audio presentation of "The Stranger" on Blu-ray, provided by Kino-Lorber, features an uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 mono mix. This is a notable upgrade from the previously available lossy audio track. Despite being true to its original source, some age-related quirks like crackling and low-level hisses persist. These issues, however, are minimal and do not detract significantly from the overall experience. Dialogue remains clear and comprehensible, and Bronislaw Kaper's tense score is rendered with impressive presence and clarity, albeit with occasional high-end brashness. An oversight worth mentioning is the absence of subtitle options, which could be a drawback for some users.

The uncompressed PCM monaural soundtrack delivers clean and intelligible vocals centered within the soundstage, characterized by strong acoustical details and well-balanced mid-range frequencies. The overall imaging is broad, providing the soundstage with a certain depth. The bass is somewhat limited but sufficient to lend a mild weight to both dialogue and music. Nonetheless, the audio track includes a noticeable amount of background air and noise, with intermittent popping, crackling, and hissing that can be distracting. Additionally, there are moments where the overall volume drops slightly. Despite these minor flaws, the audio quality represents a substantial improvement over previous versions, maintaining a faithful representation of the original material.

Kino’s Blu-ray release of "The Stranger" impresses with its well-curated suite of extras, clearly outdoing previous editions. Noteworthy is the compelling audio commentary by filmmaker and historian Bret Wood, offering an insightful exploration of Welles' techniques and narrative depth. Another highlight is the harrowing documentary "Death Mills," produced by Billy Wilder, which delves into Nazi atrocities with stark footage. The disc also includes four illuminating wartime radio broadcasts by Orson Welles. These broadcasts range from dramatic narratives to thought-provoking commentary on contemporary issues. Additionally, the disc features a user-directed still gallery and a selection of trailers in HD. Collectively, these extras provide both enriching historical context and deep cinematic insights, making it a must-have for aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Expert analysis by Bret Wood.
• Death Mills: A documentary on Nazi death camps.
• Welles' Wartime Radio Broadcasts: Four WWII-era broadcasts.
• Still Gallery: A collection of sixteen stills and storyboards.
• Trailers: Previews for "The Stranger," "White Zombie," and "Night Tide."

Orson Welles' "The Stranger" stands as a fascinating and essential part of his filmography, despite being somewhat overlooked compared to his other masterpieces. Released in 1946, it is Welles' most commercially successful film and ventured into the noir genre with a slick, directorial precision that still impresses. The deeply political narrative navigates post-war fears of fascism's resurgence. Here, Welles dons multiple hats—writer, director, and actor—to deliver a story centered on Nazi war criminal Franz Kindler, who has shed his former identity to emerge as Charles Rankin, a respected history professor in an American town. This setup allows Welles to transform what might have been a straightforward thriller into a thoughtful examination of ideological evil lurking beneath a facade of normalcy.

The film's plot revolves around a conventional yet gripping cat-and-mouse game between Rankin and Mr. Wilson (Edward G. Robinson), an Allied War Crimes Commission agent diligently working to expose Rankin's true identity. The narrative builds tension with remarkable efficiency, particularly in scenes like the dinner table monologue, where Rankin points to German victimhood as an excuse for previous atrocities. Highlighting the sociopolitical undercurrents, Welles inserts real footage of concentration camps to confront the audience directly with the horrors of the Nazi regime, aligning with his belief in showing the brutal reality to prevent fascism's recurrence.

Welles' characteristic visual style remains unmistakable throughout "The Stranger." He employs deep focus, chiaroscuro lighting, and elaborate tracking shots to create a haunting atmosphere. Verticality is a recurring motif, emphasizing power hierarchies and moral descent. The climactic confrontation in the clock tower—a symbol of inevitable judgment—underscore Welles' meticulous craftsmanship. While some studio interference is evident in the editing, "The Stranger" retains its sophisticated aesthetic and thematic depth, reaffirming Welles' prowess in wielding film as both art and social commentary.

Kino Lorber's release of "The Stranger" on Blu-ray provides a notable enhancement for enthusiasts of classic cinema and Orson Welles’ filmography. The film – a post-war noir thriller starring Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young, and Welles himself as a fugitive war criminal – stands alongside the best of its genre. The high-definition transfer offers a detailed visual improvement over previous home video versions, elevating the textural and atmospheric elements that are pivotal to noir. Furthermore, the lossless audio track significantly enhances the auditory experience, moving past the limitations of earlier releases that suffered from lossy audio.

This Blu-ray edition features an insightful audio commentary that delves into the film's thematic and historical context, as well as a series of vintage radio broadcasts that enrich the understanding of its era. While the supplementary materials are somewhat sparse, they are thoughtfully curated and provide substantive value. Kino Lorber's transfer marks a vast improvement over the heavily processed 2011 Film Chest edition, which was notably criticized for its overuse of digital noise reduction.

Though not as celebrated as Orson Welles' two previous films, The Stranger is a crucial part of the director's filmography, proving he could create a commercial success without (fully) sacrificing his artistic integrity. It's a slick, thematically substantial post-war thriller, and it holds up well next to some of the best noir films of its day. The checkered history of The Stranger in the home video market makes this release particularly significant. Kino Lorber's respectful treatment ensures that this film gets the quality presentation it deserves. Recommended for both aficionados of Welles' work and fans of classic film noir.