Tomorrow is Forever Blu-ray

directed by Irving Pichel
USA 1946

Soon after the end of World War I, Elizabeth MacDonald receives a telegram that her husband John has been killed in action just before peace was declared. She later succumbs to a fainting spell, not as a reaction to her husband's death, but because she's expecting a child. Still heartbroken and longing to preserve John's memory, she brings a boy into the world and names him "John Andrew" after his father, "Drew" for short.

Twenty years later and on the eve of World War II, the remarried Elizabeth is about to get a shock-- John is not dead! With a shattered body and a determination to forget the past, John now goes by the name "Erik Kessler," and unintentionally re-enters her life. But with the onslaught of Nazi aggression in Europe, the once happy couple must now confront new challenges together as Drew makes plans to fight with the RAF against Germany.

With a screenplay by Lenore Coffee (Four Daughters), Tomorrow is Forever provided an incredible acting showcase for "Renaissance man" Orson Welles as the enigmatic Kessler and Claudette Colbert as Elizabeth, a woman determined not to let another war tear her family apart. The drama also boasts fine support from George Brent, Lucille Watson, Richard Long (in his film debut), and a seven-year-old Natalie Wood (Miracle on 34th St).

Directed by Irving Pichel (The Most Dangerous Game), Tomorrow is Forever remains beloved by classic film fans for its exquisite music score by Max Steiner (Casablanca), and for its masterful blend of romance, suspense and sentiment in its depiction of a family whose lives are tested by the tragedies of war.

***

WWI newlyweds Claudette Colbert and Orson Welles meet heartbreak when he goes missing in action and is written off as dead. Pregnant with Welles' child, she ultimately marries her boss, industrialist George Brent. Twenty years pass; war clouds are once more gathering over Europe. Brent brings over to work in his firm a Viennese chemist who turns out to be -- Orson Welles, bringing in tow a blonde, very young (her debut, in fact) Natalie Wood, speaking German.

Ever the gemutlich gentleman, Welles keeps his cards close to his vest, even when talking about the "situation overseas" with the strapping lad he now realizes is his son, who wants to enlist in the Canadian Air Force. Colbert, however, is deeply conflicted. She comes to resent Welles' presence while nonetheless suspecting that he may in fact be....

Excerpt of review from Bill McVicar at imdb.com located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: 18 January 1946 (London)

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Comparison:

MGM (MGM Limited Edition Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Classicflix - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for the DVD Review!

1) MGM - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT

2) Classicflix - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Cover
Distribution	MGM Region 0 - NTSC	Classicflix - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:43:36	1:43:36
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.43 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.37:1 Disc Size: 23,885,487,292 bytes Feature Size: 23,523,938,304 bytes Average Bitrate: 25.93 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080P
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate
Bitrate Blu-ray
Audio	Dolby Digital Mono (English)	DTS-HD Master Audio English 2010 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2010 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Isolated Score: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles	None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: MGM Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • None DVD Release Date: July 25, 2011 Keep Case Chapters 11	Release Information: Studio: Classicflix 1.37:1 Disc Size: 23,885,487,292 bytes Feature Size: 23,523,938,304 bytes Average Bitrate: 25.93 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080P Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by Film Score Restorationist Ray Faiola of Chelsea Rialto Studios • Isolated Music Track • Image Gallery Blu-ray Release Date: December 19th, 2017 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 23

Comments

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

ADDITION: Classicflix Region 'A' - Blu-ray - February 2018: The new 1080P has a consistent heavy film-like appearance. It's not dynamically crisp but looks quite pleasing in-motion. It compares quite favorably to the 2011 SD transfer. It is not dynamically crisp but does have occasional depth and doesn't seem to have the marks or speckles of the DVD. It can look a shade waxy and there may be some digitization.

Classicflix use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track at 2010 kbps (24-bit) in the original English language. There aren't many demonstrative aggressive effects in the film but the audio is notable for the iconic Max Steiner's (The Garden of Allah, Since You Went Away, Sergeant York, Key Largo, Casablanca, The Caine Mutiny, Bird of Paradise, Beyond the Forest, Pursued etc. etc.) score that sounds dramatic. It is also available as am lossy, isolated option. There are optional English subtitles (see sample) offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

ClassicFlix add an audio commentary by Film Score restorationist Ray Faiola of Chelsea Rialto Studios. He gives a solid overview discussing Max Steiner and other details of the performers and production. I thought it was quite informative and relaxed. There is the aforementioned isolated music track and an image gallery.

Great film! I think the criticisms are vastly overstated. Yes, the melodrama is heavy but if you suspend your disbelief - you can be amply rewarded with performances from Colbert, Welles, Long, and 8-year-old Natalie Wood. It can be irrational, and somewhat weepy, but I found it worked for me especially with the Steiner score. To each their own. The ClassicFlix has the commentary, 1080P video and lossless audio going for it and the price is right. Recommended!

- Gary Tooze

***

ON THE DVD: Despite IMDb listing this film as a film noir, this is far from it. Tomorrow Is Forever is a well acted melodrama with Orson Welles and Claudette Colbert as a husband and wife torn from each other by World War I. George Brent is a new husband and Natalie Wood in her first credited performance is an adopted daughter of Orson's character. Unfortunately, the deep message of the picture gets side tracked by all the melodramatics, but it's a worthwhile effort especially from film's stars.

The MGM made-on-demand disc starts with an old United Artists logo that dates back from the VHS era of home video. The print is decent, but not clean with many marks and specs flying by. The mono soundtrack is unremarkable as well, but without any damage or distortion. There are no extras and, per usual standard, nor subtitles or closed captioning.

- Gregory Meshman

MGM - Region 0 - NTSC

Classicflix - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

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Screen Captures

Subtitle Sample - Classicflix - Region 'A' - Blu-ray