The Big Steal [1949] [VHS]

William J. Walker

at 1:39 am

Review by William J. Walker for The Big Steal [1949] [VHS]
Rating: (2 / 5)
The biggest letdown is the way that releases like this are handled by the studios. Surely the value of great films is on a par with the most important paintings and sculptures. It is hard to imagine a museum or gallery managing the works with which they are entrusted in such a shambolic and cavalier way. I suppose that when universally acknowledged master-works such as “Vertigo” are allowed to deteriorate to the point of near destruction before being ‘rescued’ then it should come as no surprise when, comparatively, minor works (such as this) are treated shabbily. Oh and we should be grateful that they release anything anyway.

The handling of this film is a prime example of the scant regard the studio has for both its customers and the material it releases.

Firstly it is released as ‘classic noir’ when in fact it’s about as ‘noir’ as “Romancing the Stone”. Then we are informed (on the cover no less) that the film is also known as “Build My Gallows High” when in fact that is the alternate name for “Out of the Past”(even a trainee should be able to get this sort of thing right). These are minor irritations when compared to the fact that this is the colourised version of the film, this would be inexcusable at the best of times, but for a film described as ‘classic noir’?!.

I sat down to watch this film and, with a growing sense of disbelief and dismay, realised I had been sold a colourised version of the film. I at first assumed that I may have made a mistake and ordered the wrong copy but close examination of the packaging showed that it was clearly stated as being the B+W edition.

The thing about colourised films is that they fail to deliver on the one claim made for them. Instead of a reasonable approximation of how the film might have looked, had it been originally shot in colour, we get a washed out and very artificial looking picture. I don’t know anyone who finds colourised films acceptable, even those who dislike B+W say they find it preferable to colourisation. The whole principal behind this approach is that the material is of such low-grade entertainment that the viewer won’t even notice. It is comparable to dubbing (but probably worse!).

My immediate reaction was, after a few moments watching, to return the film for a full refund. Before doing so I thought I would check the product page (something I hadn’t done previously as I’d placed the product in my basket at the pre-order stage and then bought it subsequently) to see if there was an explanation. I found from the customer reviews that mine was far from a one-off case. At this stage I decided to take the advice of one reviewer who suggested watching the film with the colour turned down on the TV, thus restoring the original B+W. I found the picture contrast to be poor and there seemed to be a slight fuzziness to the images. This may have been due to the colourisation process or may have had nothing to do with it. Put quite simply; I shouldn’t have to worry about such things with a professionally produced product.

I think the film is worth four stars but I’m deducting two for the above. It’s a good ‘chase’ movie and will certainly be of interest to fans of Robert Mitchum. The film is ‘just barely acceptable’ when viewed as described.

I’ve decided, in the end, to keep the DVD as it seems unlikely that the studio will release an improved version any time soon, if at all.

I will leave it to you to decide whether your need to see the film out-weighs the negatives described above.

Celia

at 2:46 am

Review by Celia for The Big Steal [1949] [VHS]
Rating: (1 / 5)
I “pre-ordered” this travesty, so was not able to benefit from the above warnings. A flagrant case of misrepresentation of goods as both the back cover, and printed on the disc itself, states “B&W”. It is not until you starts viewing that a disclaimer appears stating “This is a colorized version of the film originally marketed and distribted in black & white. It has been altered without the participation of the principal director, screenwriters, and other creators of the original film.” Pity that wasn’t on the packaging which would have saved me the irritation of having to return this rogue product.