‘Double Indemnity’ 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray [Criterion Collection] Review: iconic film noir gets the deluxe treatment it deserves with new release.
Film noir remains one of the most compelling cinematic genres in film history. Between the stark black and white cinematography, and characters who exist in shades of gray, it allowed for more complexity than other films during the genre’s heyday in the 40s and 50s.
And if one were to choose a singular film that typifies and elevates the noir movement, it is certainly Billy Wilder’s 1944 classic Double Indemnity, which saw costars Fred McMurray and Barbara Stanwyck play against type as doomed lovers Walter Neff and Phyllis Dietrich, who craft an insurance scheme involving the murder of Dietrich’s husband.
Both actors’ are at the top of the game, aided by the addition of Edward G Robinson as Barton Keyes, Neff’s fatherly coworker at an insurance company, who seems intent on unraveling the murder plot that festered due to Neff’s lust for a woman who may or may not have his best interests at heart.
While Wilder cut his teeth on screwball comedies, Double Indemnity saw a staggering acceleration in his craft, as he hit on all the major tenets that typify the best film noir and continues to inspire modern neonoirs as well.
Given the film’s exalted status, getting the deluxe 4K Ultra HD treatment seemed inevitable, and leave it to none other than Criterion to give the film the definitive edition it deserves.
The release (out May 31st) is a two disc set: one disc features the film in both 4K and 1080p and a host of extras, while the second disc contains a 3 part BBC docuseries on Wilder. So let’s breakdown everything on the special edition in more detail.
The Picture:
It’s safe to say that John Seitz’s dynamic, moody cinematography (for which he received an Oscar nomination, but bafflingly didn’t win) has never looked as sumptuous, seductive and grand as it does in 4K. Enhanced with Dolby Vision HDR, the liner notes for the disc states that the 2160p/HEVC H.265 transfer came from a “new 4K digital restoration…created from a 35 mm nitrate composite fine-grain held by the British Film Institute, which was scanned in 4K resolution on an ARRISCAN film scanner, in painless/archival mode due to shrinkage of the film. A 35 mm safety duplicate negative, created in 1986 from a fine-grain that no longer exists, was used to replace frames missing from the BFI’s element.”
This painstaking process pays off, with a crackling clarity, even when film grain is present, making all the film’s textures and light sources pop. Even during inky nocturnal scenes such as the train sequence you will find more detail and definition than ever before.
The Blu-ray copy is a carryover from the 2014 Universal Blu-ray, which is also an exceptional transfer for those who still haven’t made the 4K upgrade.
Sound:
This Criterion edition features a monaural audio track, listed in the product details as “remastered from the nitrate fine grain.” The result is as pristine a sound presentation as one would think possible for a film of this age, with the mixing of the score and dialogue far superior than pretty much any modern film where dialogue seems to be constantly drowned out by the music. The end result is audio that rivals the picture in terms of clarity.
Special Features:
Criterion rarely skimp on extras, and the featurettes contained on Double Indemnity do not disappoint (although those hoping for all features to be ported over from the 2014 Universal release will find certain segments not included).
Commentary Track: The audio commentary from Richard Schickel is an informative deep dive, with the late critic discussing why Double Indemnity is ground zero for film noir, the differences between the script and the novel from which it was adapted, numerous trivia factoids, the film’s thematic elements, and how it has grown in stature over the decades.
Words, Words, Words: Noah Isenberg on Billy Wilder: a look into the career of Billy Wilder, including his influences and how his journey to America as an immigrant helped shape his unique cinematic worldview.
Imogen Sara Smith and Eddie Muller on Double Indemnity: two esteemed film critics discuss why (and why not) the film is the definitive film noir, including character studies, the rocky relationship between Wilder and screenwriter Raymond Chandler and much more.
Documentary: Billy, How Did You Do It?: The aforementioned 3-part 1992 documentary is a fascinating chronicle of Wilder’s filmography, including the 1945 short Death Mills, which documents the horrific legacy of concentration camps in Nazi Germany.
Documentary: Shadows of Suspense: the best special feature included on this release, Shadows features a host of film-noir experts (including novelist James Ellroy and filmmaker William Friedkin) discussing the legacy of Double Indemnity, including multiple behind the scenes facts (including an alternate ending).
Other extras: in addition to the previously mentioned bonus material, also included are two radio adaptations of the film (both featuring MacMurray and Stanwyck in their original roles), the movie’s trailer, and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Angelica Jade Bastién.
Final Verdict: any serious film noir fan with 4K capability deserves to add this Criterion edition to their collection. It remains one of the most fascinating films from the golden age of Hollywood, and Criterion has immortalized it appropriately with this essential release,
