What we get with The Hard Way is some of Ida Lupino's best work (the role passed over by Bette Davis), journeyman director Sherman's claim it was his most personal film, James Wong Howe's brilliant cinematography and, told through flashback (a common Noir convention), a story that stretches from a grimy depressed coal-mining town right through the glitz of show-biz adulation. It's as tragic as it gets with impressive melodrama circling like a melancholy shark. THIS is a damn good film. 

It's a stand-up, single-layered, progressive, DVD-R that holds its own despite the lowish bitrate. The image has great detail and healthy contrast with only a few instances of notable noise. It pixilated on me for a couple of frames but that was all the complaining I'll do. There is no damage - this was good enough to get a standard SD release (a film deserved of some extras).

As usual, no subtitles - and, unremarkable but clear 2.0 channel sound. Extras consist a 2:08 trailer and the Archive advert that starts the disc presentation.

I've always been a Lupino fan and give some much required applause for the bit part of Roman Bohnen - who I always seem to remember his smaller contributions. This is one of director Sherman's best films and the Warner Archive DVD-R gave me a genuinely good presentation. Taking the limitations into consideration -thumb-up as the only game in town to see this excellent film on DVD.

NOTE: At the writing of this review there is a healthy sale at the WBshop link - this is less than $14. I think it's well worth it!

Gary W. Tooze