‘Odds Against Tomorrow’ (Special Edition) Blu-Ray Review – A Visceral Film Noir Gem

Nerve-snapping suspense, gritty style, and an unsparing look at racial tension unite this “thunderbolt of a film” (Los Angeles Examiner) from legendary director Robert Wise (The Set-Up, The Day the Earth Stood Still) and screenwriters Abraham Polonsky (Force of Evil) and Nelson Gidding (The Haunting), based on the novel by William P. McGivern (The Big Heat). Acting greats Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan, Shelley Winters, Ed Begley, and Gloria Grahame deliver superb performances in this taut and absorbing crime melodrama, often cited as the first film noir to feature a black protagonist. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars, ready for the taking. It’s too much to resist for bigoted ex-con Earl Slater (Ryan). He agrees to take part in a bank robbery with former cop Burke (Begley)—but hesitates when he finds out that one of his partners (Belafonte) is black. As tensions mount and the men get closer to their biggest score ever, Earl’s hatred erupts, resulting in violent consequences for the heist…and their lives.

For thoughts on Odds Against Tomorrow, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic: 

[youtube https://youtu.be/yU3bl8Lufgs?si=TxTGf5odh4nhZaHX&t=2294]

Video Quality

Odds Against Tomorrow comes to Blu-Ray thanks to Kino Classics with a 1080p transfer that looks pretty solid but exhibits some definite room for improvement. This film has previously been released on Blu-Ray through Olive Films in 2018, and all evidence points to this using the same older master. While the source Kino Classics is working with may not be ideal, we can say with some degree of certainty that this new disc maximizes its potential. The natural film grain remains intact with only a bit of noise interfering with the moody black-and-white photography.

The new transfer shows off a favorable amount of depth and enhanced detail within the film’s composition. Contrast is capably defined with few instances of flicker or density fluctuation in the print. Black levels showcase some welcome depth with no obvious occurrence of crush or compression artifacts. There is some occasional softness to the image, but you still get an agreeable amount of texture on the clothing and within the production design. Nicks and scratches are the most intrusive downside to the viewing experience, but it is not egregious enough to ruin the experience. Kino Classics has released a fine disc even if we wish it could have been cleaned up more.  

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray comes with a good DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that delivers a pleasant enough listening experience. Dialogue and background noises remain in balance with all competing elements so that everything has a chance to have the proper prominence. This track shows little in the way of age-related wear and tear with only a few fragile moments. The score does not overshadow the dialogue or other vital information. The track can sound the slightest bit weak when it comes to its musical peaks, but even this is not as problematic as some older feature films. Kino Classics has delivered a nice effort. There are optional English SDH subtitles included for the feature film. 

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: Author/Film Historian Alan K. Rode provides an informative commentary track in which he discusses the history of this production, the groundbreaking nature of the narrative, the background of the performers, how the film was changed from the source material, and much more. 

• Post-Screening Q&A with Harry Belafonte: A 49-minute Q&A from a Chicago film noir festival from August 2009 is provided in which the performer discusses what drew him to the material, his friendship with Sidney Poitier, the decision to take a much more cynical approach to the material compared to the book, the development of the script, the influence of Robert Wise, anecdotes about his fellow performers, and so much more that makes this an essential watch. 

• Post Screening Q&A with Actress Kim Hamilton, Part 1: A nearly ten-minute Q&A with actress Kim Hamilton from 2007 in which she discusses how she got cast in Odds Against Tomorrow, working with Robert Wise and Harry Belafonte, her early career, and more. 

• Post Screening Q&A with Actress Kim Hamilton, Part 2: A ten-minute continuation of the previous conversation in which the actress discusses her roles in other projects like To Kill A Mockingbird, her relationship with her husband Werner Klemperer, and more. 

• Trailers: The three-minute trailer for Odds Against Tomorrow is provided here. There are trailers for Lonelyhearts, Day of the Outlaw, Human Desire, Naked Alibi, He Ran All The Way, The Night of the Hunter, I Want to Live!, and The Killing. 

Final Thoughts

Odds Against Tomorrow is a visceral film noir that breaks free of some of the conventions of the genre to explore more unique areas that pack a substantial punch. The performances from Harry Belafonte and Robert Ryan in particular are so magnetic and captivating in a way that draws you in until the very end. The cynical nature of the narrative allows the narrative to avoid moments that might water down the commentary of the film. Kino Classics has delivered a Blu-Ray release that shows off a decent A/V presentation and a strong assortment of supplemental features. If you are a fan of the talent involved, be sure to snag this one. Recommended 

Odds Against Tomorrow will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray on January 9, 2024. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Classics 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.