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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Sidney Gilliat
UK 1946

 

In the midst of Nazi air raids, a postman dies on the operating table at a rural English hospital. But was the death accidental? A delightful and wholly unexpected murder mystery, British writer/director Sidney Gilliat's Green for Danger features Trevor Howard and Sally Gray as suspected doctors and Alastair Sim in a marvelous turn as Scotland Yard's insouciant Inspector Cockrill. A screenwriter who had worked with Hitchcock on such films as The Lady Vanishes and Jamaica Inn, Gilliat slyly upends whodunit conventions with wit and style.

*** 

A wartime tale of murder most horrid, with Alastair Sim as the detective sent in to a hospital to sniff out the perpetrator of an operating table death...

When a bomb victim is admitted to an emergency ward for civilians during the Second World War, he leaves in a far worse state: dead. In the seemingly serene environs of a Tudor mansion with its wood beams and manicured gardens, suspicions rise as to whether the unfortunate patient died accidentally or was killed, leaving the surgeon, anesthetist and three attendant nurses under suspicion of murder.

Enter Inspector Cockrill (Sim) from Scotland Yard ready to unravel the mystery, which is further complicated by the sudden death of one of the nurses, who had her own suspicions but didn't live to tell the tale. So the cross-examination ensues, with Cockrill raking over his suspects' dirty secrets while the city suffers constant doodlebug bombardment.

Excerpt from Channel 4 located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 10th, 1947

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

 Network - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion - Region 1- NTSC vs. Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Network - Region 2 - PAL Criterion Collection - Spine # 375 - Region 1- NTSC Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:26:56 (4% PAL speedup)      1:31:27  1:31:08.000  
Video 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.48 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.60 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.37:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 19,926,828,936 bytes

Feature: 19,898,769,408 bytes

Video Bitrate: 25.92 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Bitrate:

Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0) English (Dolby Digital mono 1.0) LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Subtitles None English, None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Network

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• none

DVD Release Date: April 17th, 2006

Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 12

 

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Audio commentary by film and music historian Bruce Eder
• New interview with British film historian Geoff Brown
• Liner notes with essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien and a director's statement

DVD Release Date: February 13th, 2007

Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 21

Release Information:
Studio:
Network

 

1.37:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 19,926,828,936 bytes

Feature: 19,898,769,408 bytes

Video Bitrate: 25.92 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Image Gallery (1:33)


Blu-ray Release Date:
November 18th, 2019
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Network Blu-ray (December 2019): Network have transferred the cracking mystery Green For Danger to Blu-ray. It appears to be from the same master as their 2006 DVD with the same marks - although the higher resolution makes them more prominent (we have 4 examples below). There are mostly frame specific and I, for one, don't mind the scratches very much. There is some contrast flickering in the beginning but it settles into a solid viewing with greatly improved black levels. I love tucking-into this film and appreciate the HD presentation, with the occasional, source-related warts. It need s a film-level restoration and we haven't heard that one is forthcoming (although you never know!). It is in the proper 1.37:1 aspect ratio and shows a shade more information in the frame.

NOTE: We have added 36 more large resolution Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Network use a linear PCM mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's audio and brooding score by William Alwyn (The Running Man, So Evil My Love, Burn, Witch Burn, Odd Man Out, On Approval, A Night to Remember and The Fallen Idol) sounding a bit deeper yet still imperfect. Network offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Network Blu-ray has only a 'stills gallery' as an extra. You may wish to hold onto your picture-boxed Criterion for the Bruce Eder commentary.

One of the most re-watchable Brit 'mystery' films - great performances and a building edginess. Green For Danger makes for a great late night viewing or part of a double feature perhaps with something like It Always Rains on Sunday or Brighton Rock. It's a film I am very happy to revisit on Blu-ray. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze

ADDITION Criterion DVD (January 2007): Not much to say that the screen caps can't tell you - The Criterion DVD is pictureboxed (see our description of 'pictureboxing' in our Kind Hearts and Coronets review), so it immediately gives up some resolution to the PAL DVD (than simply the standard difference). Still though, the Criterion transfer is far superior - sharper and cleaner - massively better contrast. Framing too goes Criterions way as it shows more information in the frame (meaning the Network edition is quite drastically cropped).

Historian Bruce Eder gives a fantastic commentary with no pauses or gaps. He relates plot details that differed from the book and many minute production eccentricities that give a strong appreciation of the film. Really a very professional and prepared commentary. Excellent choice by Criterion!

There is a 15 minute interview with Geoff Brown - he recounts many of the film's unique attributes that give it quite a special place for its era. There are a lot of stills used (as opposed to a talking head).

Liner notes too from Criterion. 18 pages worth with quality photos and nice artwork.

This is an under-appreciated film and the Criterion price is quite reasonable for all you get. Recommended!

***

The Network (2006): The single-layered DVD image is quite weak - there are a lot of instances of dirt and debris - light scratches and digital noise. Contrast is blended but we must remember the film is over 60 years old and there is no sign of restoration or cleaning on the progressive transfer. It is still most definitely tube-watchable. No extras and the price reflects that.

The film is enjoyable - a mystery with a touch of comedy - lots of interesting atmosphere. Trevor Howard and Sim slide perfectly into their roles. It sneaks into the Noir listing and fans of the 'dark cinema' will find this a nice treat.  

 


Network - Region 2 - PAL

 

Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
 

Subtitle Sample - Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

 

1) Network - Region 2 - PAL  TOP

2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Network - Region 2 - PAL  TOP

2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Network - Region 2 - PAL  TOP

2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Network - Region 2 - PAL  TOP

2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Network - Region 2 - PAL  TOP

2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Network - Region 2 - PAL  TOP

2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Network - Region 2 - PAL  TOP

2) Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE

3) Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

Damage, Mark's, Scratches Samples (CLICK to ENLARGE)

 


 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 

Box Cover

 

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Network - Region 2 - PAL Criterion Collection - Spine # 375 - Region 1- NTSC Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray


 


 

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