Double Indemnity is what is considered The Godfather of film noir. It’s a fantastic film through and through thanks to a tight and suspense-filled script from Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler and exceptional performances by MacMurray, Stanwyck and Robinson.
Double Indemnity
— The Criterion Collection —
(1944)
Genre(s): Drama, Suspense, Crime
The Criterion Collection | PG – 108 min. – $49.95 | May 31, 2022
Date Published: 05/22/2022 | Author: The Movieman
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The Criterion Collection provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
Note: The screen captures were taken from the included Blu-ray disc.
THE MOVIE — 4¾/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Insurance salesman Walter Neff (FRED MACMURRAY) gets roped into a murderous scheme when he falls for the sensual Phyllis Dietrichson (BARBARA STANWYCK), who is intent on killing her husband (TOM POWERS) and living off the fraudulent accidental death claim. Prompted by the late Mr. Dietrichson’s daughter, Lola (JEAN HEATHER), insurance investigator Barton Keyes (EDWARD G. ROBINSON) looks into the case, and gradually begins to uncover the sinister truth.
Quick Hit Review: Double Indemnity is a film I’ve seen once prior but probably 15+ years ago and seeing again after all this time and it’s still a fantastic film noise suspense crime thriller with amazing performances from Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck as well as Edward G. Robinson in a supporting role. This Billy Wilder helmed film — based on the novel of the same name which he co-adapted Raymond Chandler (author of “The Big Sleep”) — is a master work in suspense, surpassed only by Alfred Hitchcock. I was riveted from the very beginning and MacMurray’s narration was pitch perfect without coming across heavy-handed (at least by 1940s standard) and Stanwyk makes for a wonderfully seductive femme fatale (coincidentally, I re-watched De Palma’s Femme Fatale which featured a clip).
On the whole, Double Indemnity is one of my favorite film noirs. It’s well paced and has some great, suspense-filled scenes with Wilder doing a great job in projecting dread with each passing moment. If this is one that has escaped your watch list, make sure to check it out. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4½/5 |
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This release comes housed in the usual (and personally preferred) clear HD keep case. Inside is a fold-out booklet with an essay by critic Angelica Jade Bastien. 4K ULTRA HD DISC: Audio Commentary with Film Scholar Noah Isenberg (editor of “Billy Wilder on Assignment”). This is pretty much a professorial track giving background on the production with, obvious, special focus on director Billy Wilder. BLU-RAY DISC ONE: Interviews
Shadow of Suspense (37:57) — Documentary from 2006 features authors, filmmakers, and film historians discussing film noir and the making of Double Indemnity. Radio Plays are adaptations from The Screen Guild Theater (March 5, 1945) and Lux Radio Theatre (October 30, 1950), both featuring MacMurray and Stanwyck reprising their roles. Trailer (2:14) BLU-RAY DISC TWO: |
4K VIDEO – 4¾/5, BLU-RAY VIDEO – 4¾/5 |
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Double Indemnity debuts on 4K Ultra HD from The Criterion Collection, presented in the original 1.37 full frame aspect ratio and a 2160p high-definition transfer which was taken from a 35mm nitrate composite fine-grain (and received a 4K restoration). This is an amazing looking picture, near perfect if not for a few very minor specs that I did notice from time to time. However, detail is incredibly sharp throughout and the dynamic between the blacks and whites are very well balanced with the natural grain and noise still has been retained. Doing a quick comparison with the included Blu-ray and I really couldn’t discern a significant difference, perhaps the 4K UHD was slightly sharper, but otherwise if you don’t have a 4K player or 4K television yet, the Blu-ray disc will be more than impressive. |
AUDIO – 4½/5 |
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The movie comes with a PCM Mono track which was remastered from the nitrate fine-grain. Dialogue comes across with excellent clarity and while there was some minor hissing or white noise, this was an otherwise well done uncompressed soundtrack. |
OVERALL — 4¾/5 |
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Double Indemnity is what is considered The Godfather of film noir. It’s a fantastic film through and through thanks to a tight and suspense-filled script from Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler and exceptional performances by Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson. This 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray combo pack comes packed with solid bonus features and outstanding video and audio transfers. |