The Black Book - Reign of Terror

(aka 'Reign of Terror')

USA 1949

Anthony Mann’s The Black Book (1949). One of the great unacknowledged forms of noir is costume drama. I can’t think of a better example than this campy, hugely enjoyable thriller about the French Revolution—-also known as Reign of Terror, with Robert Cummings, Richard Basehart, and Arlene Dahl--brilliantly shot by John Alton, the greatest noir cinematographer. I even prefer it to Mann’s more conventional noirs in contemporary settings, many of them also shot by Alton.

From Jonathan Rosenbaum's article 'Ten Overlooked Noirs' on DVDBeaver HERE

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Theatrical Release: October 15th, 1949

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DVD Comparison:

Alpha Video - Region 0 - NTSC vs. VCI Classic Noir Vol. 3 - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Punto Zero Film / 20th Century Fox - Region 0 - PAL

1) Alpha Video - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT

2) VCI Classic Film Noir - Vol. 3 - Region 0 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Punto Zero Film / 20th Century Fox - Region 0 - PAL RIGHT

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	Alpha Video - Region 0 - NTSC	VCI Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC	Punto Zero Film / 20th Century Fox Region 0 - PAL
Runtime	1:28:30	1:26:36	1:25:45
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.83 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.72 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.40 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: Alpha Video
Bitrate: VCI
Bitrate: Punto
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0) , Italian dub (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	None	None	Italian, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Alpha Video Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • none DVD Release Date: November 18th, 2003 Keep Case Chapters: 9	Release Information: Studio: VCI Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by Alan K. Rode + Arlene Dahl • Arlene Dahl phone interview • Photo Gallery • The Amazing Mr. X DVD Release Date: March 31, 2009 Keep Case Chapters 12	Release Information: Studio: Punto Zero Film / 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • None DVD Release Date: April 9, 2008 Keep Case Chapters 8

Comments:

ADDITION: Punto - Italian - January 2010: The PAL sources Italian DVD is step up from the alpha disc even if they use their artwork on the package. However, compared to VCI disc, the image has less information on the sides, but the grain is more natural even though print is marred by marks and specks. The sound is another issue - the English soundtrack from time to time is replaced by the Italian dub (which is also available on the disc), so unless you can speak Italian, this disc is not recommend for the first time viewers of the film.

- Gregory Meshman

***

Alpha vs VCI: While the newer VCI looks far superior - it also a deficiency that is stated as a caveat on the DVD box cover. The VCI transfer is from a source that is laced with disruptive splices. These tend to skip short sequences leaving gaps and producing a highly undesirable presentation. So while it has sequences that look infinitely superior to the Alpha transfer - it doesn't flow smoothly at all. It also appears to be from censored print (2-minutes missing). It comes in a Double Feature package with a very weak transfer of The Amazing Mr. X - compared HERE.

With the Alpha Video, I can't recall when I've seen a DVD image this poor - if there is an inferior one out there I don't think I've seen it. Everything is skewed to the left, cropped - the transfer is filled with 'combing' and the image is so hazy it is virtually unwatchable. I'll bet that a VHS tape is superior. No subtitles, no extras, weak audio. I assume this rarity has fallen through the cracks and entered 'Public Domain' territory, which is truly a shame. This DVD has only one redeeming feature: it's price.

The VCI has some extras - a commentary by Alan K. Rode + Arlene Dahl, a phone interview with her (poor audio quality) and a photo gallery. Gregory says - "The Reign of Terror commentary is very good. I just read a book by Alan Rode about Charles McGraw, so I was looking forward to his commentary and it didn't disappoint. Especially were nice contributions from Arlene Dahl taken from the phone interview that is also present in complete form on the disc."

So you know what you are getting yourself in for if you decide to purchase either DVD. The film is certainly very worthwhile but without a superior source - this may be as good as it gets.

Gregory Meshman and Gary W. Tooze