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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Arthur Lubin
USA 1949
The 2025 VCI Blu-ray of Impact is compared to this DVD HERE
| As far as 'modest' Film Noirs go, this is one of the best. A simple plot idea is twisted to the max for late 1940's audiences. Millionaire-industrialist, cool as a cucumber-bigshot, Walter Williams (Brian Donlevy) has an unscrupulous young wife (Helen Walker) who is out to see him dead. With the help of her nefarious lover/boyfriend, enlisted for the deed - the plan crumbles to pieces and not only does Williams survive a bash on the noggin, but the would-be culprit wrecks himself up in a fireball with the intended targets auto. Now everyone thinks Williams IS dead. After figuring what has transpired Walter has settled as an auto mechanic in a gentle quiet village leaving his mystery to a dogged, close-to-retirement detective, Lt. Tom Quincy (Charles Coburn). Walter succumbs to 'doing-the-right-thing' and returns with garage owner and boss/girlfriend Ella Raines (Marsha Peters), the sweet and sexy girl-next-door. Trouble is now HE has been charged with murder of the hidden lover, thanks to his wife's abilities to lie. He needs assistance from ex-housekeeper Su Lin (silent screen goddess Anna Mae Wong). Impact is one of those clandestine gems that you love to unravel. A true Noir masterpiece. |
Posters
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Theatrical Release: March 20th, 1949 - USA
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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The Third Man by Graham Greene |
The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir by Foster Hirsch |
Somewhere in the Night: Film Noir and the American City by Nicholas Christopher |
Shades of Noir: A Reader by Joan Copjec |
The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the
Classic Era of Film Noir by Eddie Muller |
The Little Black and White Book of Film Noir:
Quotations from Films of the 40's and 50's by Peg Thompson, Saeko Usukawa |
Film Noir by Alain Silver |
Film Noir Guide: 745 Films of the Classic Era,
1940-1959 by Michael F. Keaney |
DVD Comparison:
Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC
Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for the Alpha Screen Caps!
(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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| Distribution |
Image Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC |
Alpha Region 0 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 1:51:16 | 1:50:48 |
| Video |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Image Entertainment
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Bitrate:
Alpha
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| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono) |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) |
| Subtitles | None | None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 16 |
Release Information: Studio: Alpha Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: March 18th, 2003 Chapters 6 |
| Comments |
The 2025 VCI Blu-ray of Impact is compared to this DVD HERE The Image Entertainment release is slightly cleaner and sharper showing some film grain where the Alpha is a bit soft with a sepia/blue haze. Overall the Image Entertainment is better, but it will be comparative depending on your pocketbook - the Alpha is very cheap. I really like the film and the Image Entertainment was the way to go for me, those with just a passing interest in Noir may prefer the Alpha edition and use the $ savings elsewhere. Ohhh, the Alpha is slightly cropped on the left edge. Gary Tooze |
DVD
Menus
(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC
- LEFT vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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Gary Tooze
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Thank You!
