Film Noir Classics [DVD] [1945]

Fine collection of noir gems, 27 Jan 2010

The films presented in this box set are perhaps not the most famous of noir, but they are worthy additions to anyone who loves the style. Three of the films are by Otto Preminger, and one by Jules Dassin, so quality is assured. Most of the films are typical noir, with themes of crime, drifters and dangerous women abundant.

My favourite in the collection is Dassin’s Night and the City, which is a fantastic character study and perhaps one of the darkest in the collection, the story is truly gritty and explores the underbelly of 40s London to fantastic effect.

The weakest film in the collection is Whirlpool, it’s not too bad, but lacks a bit of edge and isn’t noir in the normal sense as many of the other films in the collection, and leans a bit too heavily on psychoanalysis. However, the other two Preminger films are excellent, especially Where The Sidewalk Ends, which explores Dana Andrews as a violent cop who doesn’t do things by the book.

The image quality of these films is also really good, which is always a big plus as there are many collections with poor quality. There may not be many films in this box as some others, but the films are very worthwhile to watch and are well presented, a must for fans of classic noir.

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Night and the City proves the gem, 20 July 2011

The two Dana Andrews films are decent, ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ perhaps more so. ‘Whirlpool’ is glossy but a little shallow. But ‘Night and the City’ proves to be a real undiscovered classic. For one, any film with Googie Withers is worth watching, her relationship with her Sidney Greenstreeet-alike husband is the high-point. Widmark is good, the film showcasing a different side to London than was seen at the time.

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