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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Otto
Preminger
USA 1944
The sleekest of noirs, the chicest of murders, and deliciously twisted--the detective is a necrophiliac, two of the title character's suitors seem gay, and the Laura all the men are vying for is a corpse with no face. Indeed LAURA, goes the genre one further by taking apart the conventions, then putting them back together, and diving wholeheartedly into them for the finale--a cocktail party denouement to name the killer.
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Posters
Theatrical Release: October 11th, 1944
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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 |
Detours and Lost Highways: A Map of Neo-Noir by Foster Hirsch |
Comparison
:Fox - Region 1 - NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
1) Fox - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT 2) 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema Spine #196 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray RIGHT
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Box Cover |
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A Digibook Edition is available on Blu-ray in France: |
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Distribution | Fox Home Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC | 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray | Masters of Cinema Spine #196 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:27:00 | Theatrical: 1:27:06.428 Extended: 1:28:09.324 | Theatrical: 1:27:06.930 Extended: 1:28:09.826 |
Video | 1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.91 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 36,673,723,198 bytesFeature: 27,469,068,288 bytesVideo Bitrate: 37.48 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 48,226,520,800 bytesFeature: 21,333,565,440 bytesVideo Bitrate: 27.99 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate: |
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Bitrate: Fox Blu-ray |
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Bitrate: MoC Blu-ray |
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 1.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 1.0) |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1034 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1034 kbps / 24-bit (DTS
Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio French 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Commentaries:
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1082 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1082 kbps / 24-bit (DTS
Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 863 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 863 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 832 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 832 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit) |
Subtitles | English, Spanish, None | English (SDH), Dutch, French, Spanish, None | English (SDH), None |
Features |
Release Information: Edition Details:
• Commentary
by David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger
• Commentary
by Rudy Behlmer
• A&E
Biography: Gene Tierney - A Shattered Portrait (44:20)
• A&E
Biography: Vincent Price - The Versatile Villian (44:13)
• Extended
Version (With the Deleted Scene) (1:28:03)
• Deleted
Scene / with optional Commentary by Rudy Behlmer
(1:37)
• Theatrical
Trailer (2:32)
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Release Information: 1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 36,673,723,198 bytesFeature: 27,469,068,288 bytesVideo Bitrate: 37.48 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details:
• Commentary
by David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger
• Commentary
by Rudy Behlmer
• A&E
Biography: Gene Tierney - A Shattered Portrait (44:10)
• A&E Biography: Vincent Price - The Versatile Villain (44:03) • The Obsession (12:36)
• Extended
Version (With the Deleted Scene) (1:28:03)
• Deleted
Scene / with optional Commentary by Rudy Behlmer
(2:36)
• Theatrical
Trailer (2:31)
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Release Information: 1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 48,226,520,800 bytesFeature: 21,333,565,440 bytesVideo Bitrate: 27.99 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details:
• Audio
commentary by composer David Raksin and film professor Jeanine Basinger
• Audio commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer • Laura: The Lux Radio Theater broadcasts Two radio adaptations of Laura from 1945 [59 mins] and 1954 [57 mins], starring Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney and Vincent Price in the 1945 version, and Gene Tierney and Victor Mature in the 1954 version • Laura: The Screen Guild Theater broadcast Adaptation of Laura from radio anthology series, The Screen Guild Theater, originally aired in 1945 [30 mins], starring Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney and Clifton Webb Laura: The Ford Theater broadcast A further radio adaptation of Laura from 1948, starring Virginia Gilmore and John Larkin • A Tune for Laura: David Raksin Remembers an archival interview with the renowned composer (10:30) • The Obsession an archival featurette on Laura (12:37) • Deleted Scene (2:37) with or without Rudy Behlmer commentary PLUS: A collector's booklet featuring a new essay by Phil Hoad, alongside a selection of rare archival imagery
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Comments: |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' Blu-ray - March 2019: The Masters of Cinema transfer - although appearing to be from the same sources - isn't seamlessly-branched for the extended and theatrical cuts - as we have with the Fox Blu-ray. Hence, the disc size is larger but the film-sizes and bitrates for the two features are about 25% smaller than on the Fox BD. This produces a lighter image, black levels are not as rich but the visuals in-motion still look very pleasing. We've compared a few captures below.The audio appears to be the same - a DTS-HD Master mono track at 24-bit in the original English language. It benefits the score by David Raksin (Forever Amber, The Day After, Separate Tables, Bigger Than Life, The Big Combo) and sounds competent and clear. Masters of Cinema provide optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray. The UK package also includes the two commentaries (for the theatrical only) from David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger plus the second by Dr. Rudy Behlmer filling the time with plenty of interesting details. The same as the Fox BD, the Masters of Cinema also include the 12-minute The Obsession archival featurette on Laura and the deleted scene with or without Rudy Behlmer commentary. But MoC also add some new supplements; two hour-long radio adaptations of Laura - the first with Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney and Vincent Price in the 1945 version and the second with and Gene Tierney and Victor Mature in the 1954 version. From 1954 is the 1/2 hour Laura: The Screen Guild Theater broadcast adaptation of Laura from radio anthology series and a further Laura: The Ford Theater broadcast adaptation of Laura from 1948, starring Virginia Gilmore and John Larkin. I've grown to love these radio plays - relaxing with the lights dimmed. There is also the 10-minute A Tune for Laura: David Raksin remembers an archival interview with the renowned composer and the package has a liner notes collector's booklet featuring a new essay by Phil Hoad, alongside a selection of rare archival imagery.
Essential Noir
Blu-ray
and it is nice to have the option with the less robust image
presentation but additional extras in the four radio adaptations and the
Raskin archival interview. We love to have options and 'dark cinema'
fans can choose accordingly.
***
ADDITION: 20th
Century Fox - Region FREE Blu-ray
- January 2013: Fox includes the, minute-longer, 'Extended' version seamlessly branched as an option although you can check the deleted scene as well as a supplement. Fox's new Blu-ray looks quite good of this Noir masterpiece. the image notably brightens but has more layered contrast so detail definitely rises. It dramatically improves over the SD - as I hope the screen captures relate. There is some fine texture and it gave me a wonderful viewing presentation. Nice to have David Raksin's (Bigger Than Life, The Big Combo) score in lossless via the, authentic, DTS-HD Master mono track at 1034 kbps. It is modest - which is probably accurate - but also has no flaws and dialogue is audible and consistent. There are optional subtitles and the Blu-ray disc appears to be region FREE. Supplements duplicate the extensive extras on the 2005 DVD plus an addition. The Blu-ray offers the excellent commentaries from David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger and a second by Rudy Behlmer bombarding us with interesting facts. Included are the two A&E Biographies: Gene Tierney and Vincent Price and a new piece entitled The Obsession running a dozen minutes, plus you get the, aforementioned, Extended Version (With the Deleted Scene) or the Deleted Scene alone with optional Commentary by Rudy Behlmer. There is also a trailer. Aside from the cover and menu image faux-pas (as I see it), this is still an essential release. One of the all-time classics looking and sounding great in HD - and super extras - albeit mostly duplicated. Some will appreciate the opportunity to watch the 'Extended' version straight through as opposed to just the deleted scene etc. Strongly recommended! *** ON THE DVD: This is a shade duller than a Warner special, but Fox has done a commendable job with this DVD package. Black levels are excellent and there is a little softened film grain. I noticed some minor scratches and dirt spots on only 2 occasions and a bit of chroma and shimmering, but nothing extravagant. I dislike the yellow subtitles, but there are a host of extras and 2 commentaries to keep you busy for quite a while. out of Gary W. Tooze |
Menus
Fox - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox - Region FREE -
Blu-ray RIGHT
Masters of Cinema Spine #196 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Subtitle Sample
1) Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema Spine #196 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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Screen Captures
1) Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema Spine #196 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema Spine #196 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP 2) 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE 3) Masters of Cinema Spine #196 - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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Fox - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. 20th Century Fox - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM