Valley of Decision - Gregory Peck

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

directed by Tay Garnett
USA 1945

Steel separates 1873 Pittsburgh into rich and poor, master and worker, powerful and powerless. On one side is Paul Scott, the progressive son of a steel mill owner. On the other is Mary Rafferty, daughter of an embittered laborer who was crippled in a mill accident. When Mary takes a post as housemaid at the Scott mansion, she and Paul fall desperately in love. But a bloody strike may tear the city – and the lovers – apart. Surging with passion and strife, featuring a commanding cast that includes Greer Garson, Lionel Barrymore and Gregory Peck (the relative newcomer created a sensation as the romantic, intense Paul), The Valley of Decision is a prime example of prestige filmmaking during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Poster

Theatrical Release: May 3rd, 1945

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DVD Review: Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Warner Home Video Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:19:54
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.51 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate
Audio	Dolby Digital 1.0 (English)
Subtitles	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Warner Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailer (2:14) DVD Release Date: February 16th, 2010 Keep Case Chapters 12

Comments

Valley of Decision is an excellent film. Those familiar with Greer Garson's work may recognize the milieu. There are family feud elements and historical struggles but the end result is a fine picture with plenty of high-level support performances (Marsha Hunt, Jessica Tandy, Dan Duryea and Lionel Barrymore).

It's standard single-layered but progressive in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and has certain scenes that appear amazingly detailed while other look of expected image quality considering the age and medium. Even with frame specific speckles and marks the presentation in-motion is surprisingly strong. The contrast is at Warner's high standard although the transfer is not part of the "Re-mastered" Warner Archive labeled series. It's a shame because it might have brought the film to a magnificent level of video - and the film is certainly worthy.

The mono sound is not of the same quality as the image and has inconsistencies in volume level. It didn't ruin my viewing but it was an issue we feel obligated to report. There are no subtitles offered. The only supplement is the film's trailer - looking a bit rough.

Perhaps I was in the mood - but I really enjoyed this film. The production bears no expense in re-creating 1870's Pittsburgh and has a very positive 'classic' feel that carries throughout the film. Recommended!