Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons star in this film noir thriller about a man trapped in the web of an alluring, deadly, remorseless woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants and who conceals the evil within behind her beautiful Angel Face. Heiress Diane Tremayne (Simmons) arranges for an ambulance driver to whom she’s attracted, Frank Jessup (Mitchum), to be hired as her family’s chauffeur. And Diane lures Frank away from his girlfriend even as she becomes increasingly jealous of her stepmother. When Diane’s parents die in an automobile accident–and the police find evidence of tampering to the car–Diane and Frank are arrested as prime suspects. After Diane convinces Frank to marry her in jail, the two are both acquitted of murder. Now, as Diane realizes that she may have been able to seduce Frank but cannot make him truly love her, she decides she would rather kill again than lose him…
For thoughts on Angel Face, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
[youtube https://youtu.be/Bx4vP5G81XY?t=1056]
Video Quality
Warner Archive presents Angel Face for the first time on Blu-Ray with 1080p transfer sourced from a lovely 4K restoration of the best preservation elements. While the team at Warner Archive may not have had the original negative to work with, they manage to provide a remarkably consistent transfer that continues their reign as one of the best in the business for vintage restorations. There is the odd moment when you might catch a subtle decline in quality, but the label has done a great job at hiding all of the seams.
The frame showcases a great amount of texture within the outfits and the production design which gives the picture more dimension. This black and white feature shot by Harry Stradling Sr. allows for this by providing a magnificent layer of natural film grain throughout. You will not believe the depth on display within the shadows especially, no doubt buoyed by the absence of black crush. Print damage is not an issue in the slightest after the careful manual cleanup, while at the same time retaining its organic filmic qualities. This transfer is quite a sight to see.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray release comes with a restored DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that accomplishes what it needs to do. The score from Dimitri Tiomkin is one of the first things you will latch onto, and it holds up well with only minor abrasion in the upper registers. Otherwise, there does not appear to be any significant damage to the track outside of some fleeting age-related wear and tear such as light hissing. Dialogue comes through clearly in relation to the sound effects and the score. There are a couple of lively sequences which are a bit more prominent in the speakers. While there are some baked in limitations, this one sounds really good overall. There are optional English SDH subtitles available on the disc for those who need it.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Film Historian Eddie Muller provides a commentary track over a standard definition version of the film that is very informative as he shares anecdotes from the production, the careers of the performers, analysis of the themes of the story and more.
- Original Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
Angel Face is a well-rounded melodrama which impresses on nearly every front. There are some heavy-hitter performers spotlighted here, so it should come as no surprise that Robert Mitchum commands the screen opposite a luminous Jean Simmons. Thankfully, their chemistry and the work of the remainder of the ensemble is not squandered on a lackluster narrative. The development and ultimate conclusion of this dramatic arc is carefully nurtured to a very satisfying execution. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray featuring a wonderful A/V presentation and a nifty commentary track. If you want a formidable old Hollywood melodrama to sink into, this is a fine viewing opportunity. Recommended
Angel Face can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
