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

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray (August 2019): Arrow Academy transfer the 1941 Mitchell Leisen film "Hold Back the Dawn". The film was co-written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, and was nominated for a best picture Academy Award (it lost, along with Citizen Kane to "How Green Was My Valley"). The 1.33:1 HD image shows a very film-like texture, and is consistent in motion, thanks to a reasonably high bitrate approaching 30/kbps. This is stated as being a "High Definition presentation transferred from original film elements". There are the occasional frame specific small vertical scratches, though they are few and far between and you would have to squint to see them, and if you blink you'll miss it. The contrast is thankfully very strong here, showing a very wide range of blacks and grays, enhancing the sumptuous Leo Tover Cinematograpy. Those Edith Head costumes show a fine amount of detail, as do facial features (when not bathed in the typical Hollywood actress Vaseline-soft close-ups).

The film is presented in its original 1.0 mono, in 24-bit uncompressed linear PCM. Dialogue and various diegetic sounds come through sounding intelligible and well-mixed. The score is thanks to composer Victor Young (Easy Living, I Walk Alone, Strategic Air Command, The Sun Shines Bright, The Accused, Johnny Guitar, China Gate etc.) There are optional English subtitles on this Region FREE Blu-ray from Arrow Academy, playable worldwide.

Arrow Academy have included a handful of useful bonus features for this release. First up is an all new audio commentary with film scholar, Adrian Martin is well versed on the middle of the classic Hollywood film period (the sound period from the early 30s to the end of the 50s). He focuses on the director, Mitchell Leisen as well as writers Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder during the commentary. Martin also addresses the unique, almost meta "narrational frame" that opens the picture, a common sort of take on the now ubiquitous 'making-of' featurettes...frequently staring Charles Boyer. The film scholar goes on to further one's understanding of the film, whether through explicit readings, or contextual comparisons with films of the era. This is a genuinely intriguing listen, and I encourage anyone that is curious to check it out. Following this commentary is "Love Knows No Borders" a newly filmed 22-minute video appreciation of Mitchell Leisen and "Hold Back the Dawn" from film critic Geoff Andrew. Andrew goes on to explain how, sadly, Leisen (although just as important a director as Lubitsch in most respects) was mostly forgotten or excised from the Hollywood canon. Whether it was the attacks from fellow directors such as Billy Wilder and Preston Sturgess, or just a general sense of homophobia due to Leisen's open bisexuality. The critic goes on to discuss the film and how it portrayed these particular outsiders (a common fascination with Leisen). "Lux Radio Theatre: Hold Back the Dawn" is a rare radio adaptation of Hold Back the Dawn from 1941 starring Charles Boyer, Paulette Goddard and Susan Hayward, introduced by producer Charles B. DeMille. He even thanks Lux toilet soap, before the hour-long presentation begins. This radio play plays over the feature, which is also how the next extra plays out. "The John Player Lecture: Olivia de Havilland" is a career-spanning onstage audio interview with Olivia de Havilland recorded at the National Film Theatre in 1971, lasting around an hour-and-a-half.

Who would have thought that this picture from the early 40's could ever be so timely. Thankfully, this Blu-ray release from Arrow Academy features a pretty impressive transfer, with a strong contrast and healthy grain. The commentary from Adrian Martin is essential listening for fans of the picture, if not Hollywood films of the era. That would be more than enough for any other release, but Arrow have also included an audio interview with De Havilland, as well as a 1-hour radio play of the story (both playable as audio running over the film). They don't make them like this anymore. Recommended. 

Colin Zavitz