Desert Fury Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Desert Fury" by Kino Lorber is offered in a 1.36:1 aspect ratio, utilizing a 1080p transfer and MPEG-4 AVC encoding. The transfer showcases a mix of positive and negative attributes. Close-ups exhibit commendable density and fine detail, particularly in subdued lighting conditions, suggesting intermittent meticulous restoration. However, panoramic shots tend to show an artificial sharpness with boosted contrast, which detracts from the visual fluidity. Issues with Technicolor registration result in periodic halo effects, and the color balance is often disrupted by an unnatural yellow/green hue, while blues lack convincing saturation. Although the image stability is generally good, slight background pulsations are occasionally noticeable, accompanied by minor blemishes and specks.

Contrastingly, comments highlight the preservation of the film’s original 1:37:1 aspect ratio and a sturdy, organic film grain that renders fine details faithfully. The color palette is robust, with consistent skin tones and minimal black crushing in some scenes. Misregistration issues are rare, and instances of scratches, dirt, dust, speckling, or flickering are infrequent. For a film making its debut on home video, this is considered a strong transfer for a three-strip Technicolor film, showcasing another quality effort from Kino Lorber. Despite the discrepancies noted in certain areas, the overall technical presentation can be deemed satisfactory, though it has room for improvements to match the visual impact of exemplary restorations like "A Matter of Life and Death."

The Blu-ray release of "Desert Fury" features a single audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Additionally, optional English SDH subtitles are available for the main feature. The original mono soundtrack is preserved, ensuring a faithful representation of the film’s audio experience. Miklós Rózsa’s dramatic score is delivered with impressive fidelity and ambiance, enhancing the overall viewing experience without overpowering the dialogue.

Dialogue clarity and stability stand out, making it easy to follow every conversation. However, a slight increase in volume reveals minor imperfections such as tiny pops and hiss. While these could have been mitigated with modern digital tools, they are minimal and do not significantly detract from the overall audio quality. Despite these small flaws, the audio maintains its integrity with no notable issues like cracking or distortion, making it a commendable effort for this home video release.

The Blu-ray release of "Desert Fury" offers a robust selection of extras that are both informative and engaging, enhancing the viewer's appreciation of this film. The commentary by film historian Imogen Sara Smith is a standout feature, providing an in-depth analysis of the film's production history, stylistic elements, and its enduring cult status. This commentary is exclusive to this release, showcasing Smith's detailed examination of the narrative construction and thematic depth of the movie. The inclusion of trailers provides additional context for Burt Lancaster’s expansive career, featuring a curated selection from Kino Lorber's catalog.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Imogen Sara Smith: Exclusive discussion on production history, style, and narrative.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical trailer.
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: A collection of trailers from other Burt Lancaster movies including "The Kentuckian," "Trapeze," "Run Silent Run Deep," "Separate Tables," "The Devil’s Disciple," "Elmer Gantry," "Judgment at Nuremberg," "A Child is Waiting," and "The Train."

Lewis Allen's "Desert Fury" (1947) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The film is an alluring blend of crime drama and melodrama, punctuated by Miklos Rozsa’s intense and evocative score, which stands out in vivid Technicolor—a rare choice for noir films of that era. The desert setting of Chuckawalla, Nevada, gives a distinctively atmospheric backdrop that's well-captured, enhancing the thematic and visual departure from typical urban noirs.

The plot revolves around Paula Heller (Lizabeth Scott), who becomes entangled with gangster Eddie Bendix (John Hodiak) upon her return to Chuckawalla. This relationship stirs conflict with her mother, Fritzi Heller (Mary Astor), casino owner and local powerhouse, as well as lawman Tom Hanson (Burt Lancaster) and Eddie’s sidekick, Johnny Ryan (Wendell Corey), who all have vested interests in its dissolution. While the narrative structure follows familiar noir tropes, its unique context and subtext—most notably the implied homoerotic tension between Eddie and Johnny—give it a fresh and intriguing angle, challenging the norms enforced by the Production Code of the time.

Although the film suffers somewhat from underdeveloped character arcs and an unconvincing romantic subplot between Paula and Eddie, the strong performances elevate the material. Mary Astor’s portrayal of Fritzi stands out as particularly compelling, while Wendell Corey makes a memorable debut as Johnny. The integration of western themes within this noir framework, combined with the striking desert visuals and Rozsa’s score, creates an aesthetically captivating experience despite its narrative weaknesses. Overall, "Desert Fury" is a visually arresting film that intrigues with its layered subtext and stands out within its genre.

"Desert Fury," a film blending elements of film noir and western genres, delivers a fascinating audiovisual experience, masterfully restored for Blu-Ray by Kino. The striking desert landscapes juxtapose urban crime drama, while the Technicolor presentation enhances the film's visual allure. Miklos Rozsa’s score injects an invigorating energy that elevates every scene, though some viewers might find the melodramatic undertones slightly overwhelming. The Blu-Ray release excels in both audio and video quality, showcasing meticulous restoration work that brings out the film's nuanced textures and vibrant colors.

Additional features on the Blu-Ray include a rich commentary track that provides valuable insights into the production and thematic elements, enriching the viewing experience. The effort to bring this relatively obscure gem to modern audiences is commendable, as it allows new viewers to appreciate the unique blend of genres and the captivating performances by Burt Lancaster, Lizabeth Scott, and John Hodiak.

I find the blending of film noir and western qualities in "Desert Fury" very attractive, and Miklos Rozsa's score instantly adds a big dose of special energy that is absolutely perfect for the film. However, I also find its drama almost unbearably artificial. It is unfortunate because with a bit of mystique and darker ambience this film could have been quite the jewel. I still think that it is very much worth tracking down because some of its desert footage is magnificent, but I don't think that it is the major classic that many of its fans have argued it is. RECOMMENDED.