Pickup on South Street Richard Widmark

(aka "Blaze of Glory")

USA 1953

Petty crook Skip McCoy (Richard Widmark) has his eyes fixed on the big score. When the cocky three-time convict picks the pocketbook of unsuspecting Candy (Jean Peters), he finds a haul bigger than he could have imagined: a strip of microfilm bearing confidential U.S. secrets. Tailed by manipulative Feds and the unwitting courier’s Communist puppeteers, Skip and Candy find themselves in a precarious gambit that pits greed against redemption, Right versus Red, and passion against self preservation. With its dazzling cast and director Samuel Fuller’s signature raw energy and hardboiled repartee, Pickup on South Street is a true film noir classic by one of America’s most passionate cinematic craftsmen.

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Theatrical Release: June 17th, 1953

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DVD Comparison:

Carlotta - Region 2- PAL vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Optimum Releasing - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Vincent L. and Henrik Sylow for the Region 2 captures !

(Carlotta - Region 2- PAL LEFT vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE vs. Optimum Releasing - Region 2 - PAL- RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Carlotta Films Region 2- PAL	Criterion Collection Spine # 224 - Region 1 - NTSC	Optimum Releasing Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:17:00 (4% PAL speedup)	1:20:27	1:17:08 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.14 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 7.85 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.84 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Carlotta
Bitrate: Fox
Bitrate: BFI
Audio	English 1.0 Mono, French 1.0 Mono	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Subtitles	French, None	English, None	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Carlotta Films Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: - Introduction by Arthur Penn (6:04 / English with removable subtitles) - The French dub (8:12 / French) - Film Noir, Interview of François Guérif (22:27 / French) - The Fuller Style, Interview of Hervé De Luze (15:46 / French) - Interview of Samuel Fuller (11:14 / French and English with subtitles) - Trailer (1'48 English with removable subtitles DVD Release Date: June 16th, 2004 Keep Case Chapters: 9	Release Information: Studio: Criterion / Home Vision Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Exclusive interview with the late Samuel Fuller, made by renowned film critic Richard Schickel • Excerpts from the Cinéma Cinémas series with Fuller discussing the making of the film • Illustrated biographical essay on Fuller by Jeb Brody (Scenario, Print magazines) • Stills gallery of photos, posters, lobby cards, and original paintings by noted artist Russell Christian (The NY Times, The New Yorker) • Trailers for Pickup on South Street and other Fuller features • Booklet including excerpts from Fuller’s award-winning autobiography A Third Face, featuring Martin Scorsese’s introduction and Fuller on Pickup on South Street, plus a new essay by acclaimed cultural historian Luc Sante (Low Life, Evidence) DVD Release Date: February 17, 2004 Keep Case Chapters: 21	Release Information: Studio: Optimum Releasing Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: None DVD Release Date: July 19, 2004 Keep Case Chapters: 9

Comments:

ADDITION: well the Carlotta looks excellent, and at times superior to the Criterion, but overall consistency goes to the Criterion which shows a nice light film grain where the Carlotta is smoother. It's hard to make a definitive statement on which is positively the best, but I lean towards the Criterion - if, for example, you dislike visible film grain, then the Carlotta is the best option. Criterion have brought up the blacks a shade giving the impression of a sharper image, but the differences between the two releases is negligible. On the extras front the Carlotta offers some interesting supplement material, but 3 of the 6 are in French with no English sub option. Personally I am always partial to English subtitles on the feature (even on English language film!) so its the Criterion for me - you may differ, especially if you require French subtitles.

NOTE: Vincent did his best but a few of his captures are not exact matches (as indicated). We appreciate his effort.

******

The Criterion is only slightly superior in the image department. In fact it almost looks like a direct port with the NTSC / PAL being the only real separation. Sharpness may be marginally in Criterion's favor, but I suspect that contrast is the key issue with Criterions nudging out on top. The Criterion's blacks are deeper and it shows more film grain. The Criterion is cropped minutely on the top edge. The Optimum has no subtitles and no Extras - where the Criterion is once again flourishing. Criterion if you can afford (and want the extras) - Optimum if it's on sale!

- Gary W. Tooze

Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

Film Noir: An Encyclopedia Reference to the American Style
by Alain Silver, Elizabeth Ward

The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir

by Foster Hirsch

Somewhere in the Night: Film Noir and the American City

by Nicholas Christopher

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

More Than Night: Film Noir in Its Contexts
by James Naremore

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Carlotta - Region 2- PAL

(Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Optimum Releasing - Region 2 - PAL- RIGHT)

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