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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (August 2025): Indicator have also transferred Daniel Taradash's Storm Center to Blu-ray. The 1080P quality on the Indicator Blu-ray edition of Storm Center surpasses the 2022 Imprint, with a higher bitrate, on a dual-layered disc and it is now in the correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio (as opposed to Imprint's bastardized 1.78:1.) Sourced from a new scan, the transfer exhibits a natural filmic texture with appreciable fine detail in many scenes, particularly in close-ups and well-lit interiors, allowing Burnett Guffey's (Bonnie and Clyde, From Here to Eternity, In a Lonely Place, All the King's Men) cinematography to shine through with solid contrast and grayscale depth. However, there are still speckles, and surface scratches, that appear briefly, alongside occasional, inherent, softness that can detract from sharper moments, though these issues do not severely undermine the overall viewing experience for a film of this vintage. Contrast takes an welcome uptick over the previous Blu-ray.

NOTE: We have added 62 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator also use a linear PCM  but in straight 1.0 channel mono and at 24-bit (as opposed to 16-bit) in the original English language. It provides a clean and reliable listening experience that faithfully reproduces the film's dialogue-heavy narrative and George Duning's (The Long Gray Line, Assignment Paris, The Guilt of Janet Ames, The Man From Laramie, 3:10 to Yuma, Jeanne Eagels, The Shadow on the Window, Tight Spot, etc.) subtle score without any noticeable distortions or imbalances. The score is subtle and meticulously crafted, weaving a rich, eerie atmosphere that enhances the mounting tension of McCarthy-era paranoia without drawing undue attention to itself. Overall, the sound design reinforces the narrative's inspirational "sermon" against censorship, creating an immersive experience that, like the visuals, prioritizes thematic depth over technical showmanship, though some view it as part of the film's occasionally "speechified" and melodramatic flaws. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

For deeper insight, the 2025 audio commentary by film scholar Jason A. Ney (Richard Fleischer: Journeyman) offers scene-specific breakdowns, including discussions of how sound and music interplay with visuals, such as in the Bass-designed titles and climactic fire, providing an "easy and rewarding listen" that contextualizes the technical choices within the production's troubled history. Additionally, an archival 1986 Guardian interview with Saul Bass, repurposed as a commentary track (playing to the film,) overlays career insights that indirectly illuminate the film's audiovisual integration. Included is a new 15-minute video essay by academic Lies Lanckman (Stars, Fan Magazines and Audiences: Desire by Design) that thoughtfully examines the film's anti-censorship message and troubled making-of history. Additional supplements include the original theatrical trailer, an image gallery of promotional and publicity materials, and a limited edition booklet featuring a new essay by Maggie Hennefeld (Death by Laughter: Female Hysteria and Early Cinema) - all contributing to a well-curated set that provides substantial background for this McCarthy-era drama.

Storm Center is a landmark American drama film that stands as Hollywood's first overt critique of McCarthyism, directed by Daniel Taradash in his sole directorial effort, with a screenplay co-written by Taradash and Elick Moll (The House on Telegraph Hill.) Produced by Julian Blaustein under Phoenix Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures, the film stars the great Bette Davis (Now, Voyager, Jezebel, The Letter) as Alicia Hull, a principled librarian in a fictional small town who becomes a target of political hysteria for refusing to censor a book. With a modest budget of $750,000, the movie was filmed in black-and-white in Santa Rosa, California, despite its New England setting. Supporting roles include Brian Keith (The McKenzie Break, Violent Road, Alaska Seas) as the ambitious councilman Paul Duncan, Kim Hunter (The Seventh Victim, A Matter of Life and Death) as assistant librarian Martha Lockridge, Edward Platt ('The Chief' from Get Smart,) and Kathryn Grant (Princess Parisa from The 7th Voyage of Sinbad.) The film's title sequence, designed by Saul Bass, symbolically depicts flames consuming pages from John Stuart Mill's On Liberty, foreshadowing themes of intellectual destruction. In summation, Indicator's Blu-ray release of Storm Center is a worthwhile package for fans of Bette Davis and mid-century Hollywood social dramas, offering a flawed but intriguing film in a presentation that balances upgraded video and audio with extensive extras through an insightful commentary and new and archival materials that deepen appreciation for its prescient themes of intellectual freedom and paranoia. Recommended.

***

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (October 2022): Imprint have transferred Daniel Taradash's Storm Center to Blu-ray. It is cited as being "from a new 2K scan". There are some speckles but rich grain textures and reasonably dark black levels via the 1080P transfer. It's on a single-layered disc, in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio, with a high bitrate.

NOTE: We have added 44 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use a linear PCM dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. Storm Center has no aggressive moments aside from a fire in the conclusion. It is mostly dialogue-driven. The supportive score is by George Duning which sounds clean with consistent dialogue in the uncompressed transfer. Imprint offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offer no extras for this release aside from the limited edition slipcase.

Daniel Taradash's Storm Center takes a defiant and noble stance against censorship. It is regarded as the first overtly anti-McCarthyism film to be produced in Hollywood. It is the only film ever directed by Taradash. It has a title sequence, and poster, created by the iconic Saul Bass. Bette Davis is excellent as the principled and honest librarian with a confident abundance of small town integrity. The, bare-bones, Imprint Blu-ray offers this important movie in a film-like HD presentation.

Gary Tooze