The Asphalt Jungle Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of John Huston’s "The Asphalt Jungle" delivers an impeccable video presentation, retaining the film’s original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC in 1080p. The new digital transfer, created in 2K resolution from a 35mm fine-grain master positive using a Lasergraphics Director film scanner, exhibits substantial improvements. After extensive restoration by L'Immagine Ritrovata, the film surfaces flawlessly, free from dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps. The meticulous cleaning process involving DaVinci's Revival and Digital Vision's Phoenix ensures stability and removes age-related anomalies. The grayscale is excellently balanced, providing commendable depth in shadows and highlighting subtle details.

The exemplary transfer enhances Harold Rosson's Oscar-nominated cinematography, capturing the fusion of film noir and naturalism with superb clarity, contrast, and gray scale variance. Grain is aptly preserved, maintaining the film's gritty authenticity without overshadowing the visual integrity. Blacks are rich and deep, while shadow delineation is precise, drawing viewers into the film’s immersive world with a refined sense of depth. Close-ups reveal intricate facial details and background elements are sharp, enhancing character portrayals and environmental context. Importantly, this transfer avoids any problematic sharpening, preserving the film’s natural look and feel.

Overall, Criterion's effort provides a pristine presentation worthy of the film’s historical and artistic value. The Blu-ray’s 31 chapter divisions offer seamless navigation through the high-quality restoration, making "The Asphalt Jungle" a visual testament to classic cinema’s enduring legacy.

The audio presentation of "The Asphalt Jungle" on this Blu-ray release features a single standard audio track: English LPCM 1.0, with optional English SDH subtitles. Remastered from the 35 mm optical soundtrack positive and a 35 mm composite print, the audio quality delivers a highly authentic listening experience. Overall clarity is impressive, though there are minor segments where efforts to minimize crackle and background hiss are discernible. Despite this, there are no balance issues, digital distortions, or audio dropouts.

The monaural soundtrack allows for an immersive auditory experience, accentuating the dialogue and ambient sounds, such as jangling keys and distant police sirens. The sparse yet wide dynamic range, particularly in the dramatic score by Miklos Rosza, competently handles highs and lows, including jazzy jukebox tunes during critical scenes. Sound effects like gunfire and chisel chipping are crisp and layered effectively, offering a sonic landscape that enhances the film's atmospheric tension. Notably, no age-related imperfections like hiss, pops, or crackles intrude upon the experience, maintaining a clear and compelling presentation that stays true to the film’s era.

While line looping is occasionally noticeable, the PCM 1.0 (1.1 Mbps) sound mix remains well-balanced with its blend of engaged dialogue and atmospheric effects, especially evident during the intense heist sequence. Although some muffled crackle can be detected in quieter moments, the restoration team has successfully managed the aged sound elements to provide fans with an enjoyable and faithful audio reproduction.

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of "The Asphalt Jungle" presents an impressive suite of extra features. These extras extensively cover the film’s craft and cultural impact through a mix of contemporary interviews and archival footage. Highlights include insightful commentaries from film historians, deep dives into the visual style by industry experts, and an in-depth documentary on Sterling Hayden. John Huston’s contributions are thoroughly explored with various clips and interviews, offering a multidimensional understanding of his methodology.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Drew Casper delves into the film’s genre significance and directorial nuances.
• Trailer: Original theatrical preview.
• John Huston: Brief archival interview clip.
• Pharos of Chaos: Extensive documentary on Sterling Hayden’s life.
• Eddie Muller: Expert analysis by the film noir historian.
• John Bailey: Cinematographic breakdown by the acclaimed cinematographer.
• City Lights: Archival TV episode featuring John Huston.
• The Huston Method: Compilation of Huston’s audiobook interviews.
• Leaflet: Illustrated essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien.

John Huston's "The Asphalt Jungle" stands as a quintessential piece of the heist film genre, widely regarded for its impeccable craftsmanship and nuanced character development. The film, an adaptation of W.R. Burnett's novel, is a detailed procedural on executing a high-stakes jewelry heist. Its strength lies in its deliberate pacing and patient storytelling, allowing the narrative and characters to evolve naturally without rushing to force atmosphere or tension. Sterling Hayden’s portrayal of Dix Handley, a burly gambler dreaming of his pastoral Kentucky life, and Sam Jaffe’s Oscar-nominated performance as the methodical yet flawed Doc Riedenschneider are particularly noteworthy, infusing the film with authenticity and gravitas.

The plot intricately weaves through the meticulous planning and the subsequent unraveling of the heist, driven by each character's distinct motivations and moral ambiguities. The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, with James Whitmore as the hunchback diner owner Gus Minissi and Louis Calhern as the duplicitous attorney Alonzo Emmerich adding depth to their roles. Marilyn Monroe, in a brief yet memorable appearance as Emmerich's mistress Angela Phinlay, foreshadows her future stardom with a captivating presence that belies her limited screen time.

Cinematographer Harold Rosson’s work amplifies the film's noir aesthetic, blending stark realism with a haunting atmospheric quality. The screenplay, co-written by Huston and Ben Maddow, masterfully balances tension and character study, further elevated by the lack of a traditional musical score, which sharpens the film’s raw edge. "The Asphalt Jungle" remains a high-water mark in crime cinema, not only for its stylistic finesse but also for its profound exploration of complex human behavior within a meticulously plotted heist narrative.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of The Asphalt Jungle showcases John Huston's timeless film noir in an exceptional 2K restoration, ensuring both visual and audio presentations are of the highest quality. This release not only preserves the stark, moody aesthetics of the 1950 classic but enriches the viewing experience through sharp, detailed imagery and robust soundscapes. The restored transfer highlights the film’s engrossing story, taut suspense, and masterful direction, which has cemented its status as arguably the greatest heist film in Hollywood history.

Huston’s adaptation of W.R. Burnett's novel is a meticulous character study, focusing on the damaged and desperate individuals who populate this gritty underworld. Criterion’s dedication to honoring The Asphalt Jungle is evident in the outstanding array of both new and archival supplements. Highlights include yet another superb interview with cinematographer John Bailey, providing deep insights into the film’s visual strategies. The ensemble cast provides superior performances, each contributing to the film’s rich tapestry of impending doom and palpable tension.

In conclusion, The Asphalt Jungle on Blu-ray is an essential addition to any serious film fan’s collection. The combination of a superior 2K restoration, excellent bonus features, and Criterion’s trademark high-quality presentation makes this release a definitive version of a true cinematic masterpiece. Very highly recommended.