Blood on the Sun Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, "Blood on the Sun" arrives on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber with a commendable 1080p transfer. Sourced from a recent 4K master prepared by Paramount Pictures, this presentation marks a significant upgrade from its previous public domain versions. The film showcases impressive clarity, depth, and delineation across a range of lighting conditions. The blacks are lush and stable, and the grayscale remains convincing overall. However, viewers may notice subtle density fluctuations and occasional nicks or blemishes. Despite these minor imperfections, the image stability is consistent throughout.

Shot by Theodor Sparkuhl on black & white 35mm film with spherical lenses, "Blood on the Sun" offers a nostalgic visual experience enriched by a satisfying grain structure that retains the feel of celluloid. The nuanced contrasts and sharpness deliver a noirish appeal, particularly in scenes shot on backlots resembling fog-shrouded piers with reflected light that accentuates the period-specific automobiles and costumes. Close-ups highlight Sylvia Sidney’s captivating presence and James Cagney’s rugged features, though the Asian makeup on non-Asian actors becomes more apparent in these detailed shots.

While the restoration is not flawless—various print damages such as scratches and occasional softness are evident—the transfer’s overall quality stands out. Rich blacks, vibrant whites, and diverse ranges of grays contribute to the film’s vintage allure, successfully enhancing its atmospheric essence. Fans of "Blood on the Sun" will find this Blu-ray release a remarkable visual treat, notwithstanding some lingering issues stemming from the film's age and tumultuous history in public domain distribution.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Blood on the Sun" features a single English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track with optional English SDH subtitles. This lossless track delivers a commendable auditory experience, ensuring clear, sharp, and stable exchanges throughout. A barely noticeable light background hiss appears fleetingly, but age-related imperfections and distortions are absent. Volume adjustment reveals a nicely balanced sound with apparent dynamic contrasts, satisfying discerning listeners.

Miklós Rósza's dramatic score benefits immensely from the robust DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track. The soundtrack captures the richness of the music alongside precise sound effects, such as ambient noise, car engines, and physical confrontations. Sonic details, including gunfire, sirens, and shattering glass, come through with impressive clarity and no signs of distortion. Dialogue remains consistently distinct and easily comprehensible, maintaining clarity even in scenes with varied audio elements or silence-induced suspense.

Overall, this audio track successfully immerses the audience into the film's action, with clear dialogue and forceful musical cues enhancing the viewing experience considerably.

The Blu-ray extras for "Blood on the Sun" provide a deep dive into the film's historical context and production elements. The featured audio commentary by Julie Kirgo and Peter Hankoff is especially enlightening, offering insights into the film’s place in World War II history and its portrayal of Japanese characters by non-Asian actors. Kirgo’s frequent interruptions can be distracting, but the track remains highly informative, discussing everything from Cagney's career to the controversial Tanaka Memorial plot device. Additionally, the vintage theatrical trailer offers a nostalgic glimpse into the film’s original promotion. Overall, these extras significantly complement the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: An insightful audio track by Julie Kirgo and Peter Hankoff that delves into historical and production aspects.
• Trailer: A vintage theatrical trailer showcasing James Cagney’s performance and the film’s promotional highlights.

"Blood on the Sun," directed by Frank Lloyd, is a 1945 film that finds itself entrenched in ideologically charged narratives. At its core, the movie revolves around Nick Condon (James Cagney), an American journalist in Japan who stumbles upon the Tanaka Memorial, a fictitious Japanese plan for world domination. The script, penned by Lester Cole, who was later blacklisted as one of the Hollywood Ten, is laden with anti-Japanese propaganda that can feel overwhelming. The film portrays China as a beacon of freedom, starkly contrasting it with the imperialist caricature of Japan. This propagandistic approach complicates the storytelling, as even strong performances are diluted by the lopsided and cartoonish representations of Japanese characters.

Cagney’s portrayal of Condon is predictably robust, filled with his characteristic blend of toughness and intellect. However, he is left to navigate an uneven supporting cast that struggles to bring depth to the ideologically charged material. While the final act manages to pull together some semblance of a competent espionage thriller, much of the film feels bogged down by its manipulative narrative. The clunky portrayal of Asian characters by Caucasian actors in heavy makeup further strains credibility and adds an unsettling layer to this historical drama. Despite these flaws, elements such as Miklós Rósza’s riveting score and Oscar-winning art direction inject some vitality into the adaptation.

Despite its problematic elements, "Blood on the Sun" does manage to deliver moments of genuine intrigue and action, which are bolstered by Cagney’s compelling performance and some effective supporting roles, particularly Sylvia Sidney’s as a half-Chinese double agent. Historical inaccuracies and propagandistic overtones render it difficult to wholeheartedly recommend. However, for those interested in mid-century political thrillers or Cagney’s filmography, it offers a provocatively skewed glimpse into a turbulent time in history. The Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber ensures the technical aspects are sharp with English SDH subtitles and an engaging audio commentary from critic Julie Kirgo and filmmaker Peter Hankoff.

"Blood on the Sun," available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, offers a gripping narrative set against the background of WWII. While the film is ideologically tainted, presenting Japanese characters in a propagandist manner, it serves as an intriguing time capsule. The highlight is undoubtedly James Cagney, who excels in an unconventional role as Nick Condon, a journalist embroiled in political intrigue involving the significant but poorly explained Tanaka memo. The remastered 4K transfer by Paramount Pictures provides a strong visual experience despite originating from somewhat rough source material.

Critically, the screenplay's vagueness in portraying real-life Japanese characters and their historical importance complicates the plot. Yet, the film’s historical context enriches the suspense, making it a rare WWII production attempting to balance depictions of Japanese policymakers. For Cagney enthusiasts, "Blood on the Sun" is an essential viewing that showcases the actor in top form amid action-packed sequences and exotic settings.

The Blu-ray release is further enhanced by KLSC’s high-quality video and audio transfers, bringing new life to this underappreciated classic. Additionally, the informative commentary track is invaluable for understanding the story’s historical facets. Despite its flaws and controversial portrayal, "Blood on the Sun" remains recommended for fans of wartime cinema and James Cagney alike.

Every single Japanese character of some importance is intentionally made to appear brainwashed beyond repair and/or intolerably cartoonish so that the clash of ideas that materializes as James Cagney begins playing the dangerous spy game is as lopsided as desired. In 1945, this unabashed smear of the Japanese probably made perfect sense to some, like screenwriter Lester Cole, but it was just an awful propaganda. I do not automatically dismiss films that are so ideologically tainted because some can be illuminating time capsules, but Blood on the Sun is not effective as such. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from a somewhat rough but strong recent 4K master that was prepared at Paramount Pictures.