ADDITION: Fox Region 0 - NTSC - November 13': Yeah, this is the one - the only NTSC (theatrical running time) edition - and it took long enough! Despite the single-layering it looks very good - better than  even the UFA. Audio is strong - notable in Alfred Newman's iconic 'Street Scene' Noir score! No extras except a trailer. Despite bare-bones status - it's the one to own!

***

ADDITION: UFA Region 2 - PAL - March 08': This comes in a package entitled Hollywood Highlights 7 - Thriller from UFA in Germany. The film has a German translation calling the disc Schrei in der Großstadt. It comes in its own transparent keep case along with another keep case of single-layered film Fuller's House of Bamboo (called Tokio-Story in this package).

Quick story is that it easily looks the best of the four. It might be vertically compressed to some degree but it is still sharper, cleaner and has much better contrast. The soundtrack (with wonderful Newman score) sounded surprisingly powerful. It offers original English and an optional German DUB. There is a tab on my computer for German subtitles but I couldn't get them to appear. There is a trailer for the film and some others in this series. This is one of my favorite Noir films so it was an easy choice for me but considering it also contains House of Bamboo it may be agreeable to others at 20.95 EUR = $32.10 USD (at the writing of this review).

P.S. It is rumored to be coming from Criterion at some point.  

****

ADDITION: BFI - Region 2- PAL (Oct 07') - Quite a disappointment - we were really hoping for a much improved image from the other two PAL releases. Unfortunately the BFI edition doesn't appear to be offering such. My personal dissatisfaction is exemplified in that this is one of my favorite Noir films - it's FULL of seedy low-lifes and Conte and Mature are at their usual high standard.

The BFI appears to be an almost exact duplicate of the French Carlotta in terms of image - progressive and on a single layered disc. The BFI may be marginally cleaner and although I was hoping for some relevant extras there is only a trailer and an excellent liner notes booklet with photos and an essay. Ohhh... audio on the BFI is similarly as weak as its alt-PAL counterparts - it may be a notch superior. Also BFI utilizes the slightly longer version (2  minutes removed from Carlotta and Fox Movie Channel broadcast(s) - it's when Shelley Winters is tracking down the address of Rose, played by Hope Emerson, at a photography shop.) - Thanks Clyde!

I LOVE this film and it is a Noir-must as far as I am concerned. Unfortunately I've heard no announcement of this coming to NTSC anytime soon. What the hell is wrong with you Fox? Perhaps there are some rights issues surrounding a region one releases (which I assume will be the definitive) or perhaps the elements are in poor condition. Positives about the BFI are the superior English subtitles (optional), and the liner notes (plus I love the case and the menus with Alfred Newman's amazing score).

****

ADDITION: Suevia - PAL - May 2006 - Well, the Suevia release is from an unconverted NTSC source (verify with times above) and hence there is significant 'combing' (or 'trailing') problems (see examples below). It tends to look a bit sharper as it has also had some contrast boosting, but at times this blanket manipulation approach ruins certain scenes (see excessive brightness in Vic Mature's face in the subtitle capture). If you are watching on a tube the 'combing' won't likely be an issue but you are still best to buy the Carlotta and turn up your sets contrast if you feel it is an improvement. I appreciate the English subs on the Suevia although occasional words are spelled incorrectly ('craps game' is 'crape game' etc.). The Spanish edition looks like it might be a bit vertically stretched too. Stick with the Carlotta, but keep your fingers crossed for a Region 1 release - hopefully soon.

NOTE: It is funny how increased exposure to a film can alter your perception. After viewing again I am very much enamored with this dark film. A real gem that has moved into my list of favorite Film Noirs!  

***

Hazy transfer from Carlotta - the bitrate graph indicates a probable analog rendering, but it appears to be progressive with no inherent 'ghosting' or 'combing' issues. Aside from its lack of detail - the image is otherwise tube acceptable. The DVD is dual layered and the bitrate is exceptionally high (7.89). The single channel audio sounded quite buoyant on my system (a nice treat). It was fairly inconsistent. The French subtitles are removable on my computer and all 4 of my Malata players so we can assume they will be for your region-free player too. The short Brion intro is in French and has no subtitles.

The film is certainly flawed, but is still a real noir gem. Mature and Conte team up well to support the narrative. This film is another reason confirming the addictiveness of Film Noir.

NOTE: WE will eventually compare but suspect the Spanish version (available at DVDGo.com) is superior.

Gary W. Tooze