Blood Alley Blu-ray Review

The Warner Archive Collection's Blu-ray presentation of Blood Alley offers a mixed visual experience reflective of both the technical limitations of its original production period and the meticulous restoration efforts that have been applied. Originally shot in Cinemascope by William H. Clothier and processed in the inferior Warnercolor, this 1955 film faces inherent challenges such as graininess, spatial distortions, and color inconsistencies. The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer was mastered from a new 2K scan of a recently struck interpositive, followed by rigorous digital restoration to eliminate dirt, scratches, and other imperfections.

While the restored color palette accurately replicates the nuanced earth tones and occasional splashes of vivid color designed for the Chinese peasant village setting, the film's grain structure remains noticeably coarse, and certain scenes lack sharpness—particularly those involving smoke and fog. The high average bitrate of 34.99 Mbps ensures a capable encoding without undue electronic grain reduction. Despite improvements, issues such as yellow layer collapse and color anomalies persist, manifesting in imbalanced hues and less vibrant yellows. However, details are sufficiently strong to allow for an appreciation of facial features and close-ups.

Overall, Blood Alley on Blu-ray is a serviceable but somewhat flawed visual experience. While not reaching the quality of other contemporaneous restorations, it still marks an improvement over previous formats, providing the best possible presentation given the source material's baked-in issues.

Presented in a lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo track, the audio of the Blu-ray release of "Blood Alley" benefits from Warner Brothers' dedicated effort in the 1990s to archive and preserve multi-track mixes from older films. Originally released with both a mono track and a four-track stereo mix, the latter unfortunately lost, this Blu-ray edition showcases a meticulously preserved stereo mix derived from the optical tracks of release prints. The result is an audio experience that belies the film's age, offering robust stereo separation and clear dialogue throughout.

The soundtrack, scored by Roy Webb, is particularly enhanced by the preservation process. Webb's compositions, known for their work in films like "Bringing Up Baby" and "Out of the Past," exhibit a satisfying depth and clarity, enriching the film's dramatic moments. Dynamic range is notably expanded, adding significant impact to scenes involving sound effects like the Chinese destroyer's gunfire. The mix imparts a tangible sense of space and dimension, making the perilous voyage feel more immersive.

Overall, the Blu-ray's audio track is free from age-related artifacts such as hiss or pops, enhancing the viewer's experience with its clean and effective sound profile. Despite being over sixty years old, "Blood Alley" benefits immensely from this robust stereo mix, ensuring that the film is presented with auditory fidelity that honors its historical significance.

The Blu-ray of "Blood Alley" presents a commendable array of extra features, all meticulously remastered in 1080p from the 2005 DVD. While the range of content isn't extensive, the included materials offer invaluable insights into the film and its era. Particularly noteworthy are the segments hosted by Gig Young, featuring John Wayne. These provide a rich historical perspective and an engaging tour behind the scenes. The technical upgrade to high definition enhances the overall viewing experience, despite some minor drawbacks, such as gaps and periods of silence in the Pathé newsreel footage.

Extras included in this disc:

• Pathé Newsreel Footage: A selection of 1950s news clips showcasing John Wayne, including a visit to the "Blood Alley" set.
• 1955 Promo on Blood Alley (#1): A segment from the Warner Bros. Presents TV series with John Wayne discussing his film industry origins.
• 1955 Promo on Blood Alley (#2): Another segment where Wayne details Cinemascope technology and tours the movie locations.
• Trailer: Theatrical trailer for "Blood Alley".

John Wayne steps into the role of Captain Tom Wilder in "Blood Alley," a 1955 film that was initially marked by Robert Mitchum's departure and directed by William Wellman. Famed for his on-screen persona, Wayne effortlessly transitions from his usual Western roles into the seafaring adventure setting. Wayne convincingly portrays Wilder, a Captain in the American Merchant Marine who is released from a Communist Chinese prison by a group of peasants. Together, they hatch a plan to navigate the treacherous waters to Hong Kong, despite the perilous journey filled with enemy gunboats and natural obstacles. This film, though originally dismissed as formulaic, now plays better within its genre, encapsulating a unique blend of Cold War politics and adventurous escapism.

The chemistry between Wayne and co-star Lauren Bacall, who plays Cathy Grainger, an American doctor's daughter awaiting her father's return, is surprisingly effective. Despite some noted absence of romantic chemistry, both actors deliver solid performances. Bacall's character is dynamic, adding depth to her interactions with Wayne’s Captain Wilder, who converses with an imaginary girlfriend named Baby to maintain his sanity under duress. Surrounding them is a cast that enriches the plot with colorful characters, although Paul Fix and Mike Mazurki are somewhat miscast as Chinese characters, a reflection of the period's casting norms.

Wellman's direction seamlessly combines location photography and soundstage setups to create an engaging and visually coherent film. Despite the controversial casting and dated Cold War themes, "Blood Alley" remains compelling due to Wayne's reliable performance and inventive staging of the escape sequence. The Blu-ray release by Warner Archive emphasizes these qualities, presenting an era-specific adventure that captivates with its blend of political intrigue, strategic navigation, and classic cinematic bravado. The production intricacies and reliable entertainment value make "Blood Alley" a noteworthy entry in John Wayne's illustrious filmography.

The Blu-ray release of "Blood Alley" by Warner Archive Collection (WAC) offers a fascinating glimpse into a less celebrated part of John Wayne's filmography. The film itself, directed by William A. Wellman, marries action sequences with narrative drama, navigating the treacherous waters both literally and metaphorically. While the story and Wayne's performance may not stand among the pinnacle of his career, they reflect the unique charm and cinematic flair typical of mid-20th-century adventure flicks. The transfer to Blu-ray is largely commendable, delivering a clear and crisp visual experience that honors the original film's aesthetic. Nonetheless, the image quality is not without faults, stemming primarily from imperfections present in the available source material.

Technical aficionados will appreciate WAC's efforts to remaster "Blood Alley" to the highest possible quality. The Blu-ray features a solid stereo mix that elevates the auditory experience beyond its original mono sound design, offering a richer and fuller soundscape. Picture quality sees a significant improvement in terms of sharpness and clarity, although some baked-in issues such as occasional grain and minor artifacts persist. These are not overly distracting but worth noting for keen-eyed viewers. Additionally, the set includes a modest selection of bonus features that, while not extensive, provide valuable context and behind-the-scenes insights that enrich the viewing experience.

While "Blood Alley" is a superior entertainment to "The Sea Chase," it remains a lesser effort in John Wayne's filmography. WAC appears to have made the best of a problematic source, but as I have previously noted, the company has set such a high benchmark with its Blu-ray offerings that anything subpar stands out by comparison. Buyer's choice.