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Directed by Thorold Dickinson
UK 1937

 

Lionel Atwill, Lucie Mannheim and James Mason (in an early breakout role) star in this memorable Colonial tale of honour and betrayal between the wars. Oscar-nominated Thorold Dickinson's feature debut as a solo director, The High Command is presented here as a High Definition remaster from original film elements in its as-exhibited aspect ratio.

West Africa, 1937. When a medical officer attached to a military garrison is found murdered, a fellow soldier is suspected. The subsequent court martial rakes up the past, uncovering secrets best left dead and buried...

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Creaky British melodrama directed by Thorold Dickinson in which the general (Lionel Atwill) commanding a 1930's West African garrison is implicated in the murder of an unscrupulous medical officer (Leslie Perrins) when police find evidence in the victim's room tying the commander to the death of a romantic rival in 1921 Ireland. Complicating matters is the attraction between the dead officer's cousin (James Mason) and the estranged wife (Lucie Mannheim) of a local businessman (Steve Geray). Stylized violence and romantic implications.

Excerpt from USCCB located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 22nd, 1937

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Review: Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:

Distribution Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:28:25.791         
Video

1.37:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 21,963,932,308 bytes

Feature: 18,580,451,328 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.97 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate Blu-ray:

Audio

LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit

Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Network

 

1.37:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 21,963,932,308 bytes

Feature: 18,580,451,328 bytes

Video Bitrate: 24.97 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Philip Horne introduction (10:11)
Extensive image galleries (Image - 3:53, Behind the Scenes - 3:32, Publicity - 2:50)


Blu-ray Release Date:
February 15th, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Network Blu-ray (February 2021): Network have transferred Thorold Dickinson's The High Command to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "High Definition remaster from original film elements in its as-exhibited aspect ratio". Like most Network transfers, this sems true to the source without digital embellishment. The image has some surface scratches and speckle marks that are generally frame-specific. The superiority over SD would be the film's natural textures showing through and more layered contrast. Approaching 85-years old the is not without its production limitations but the 1080P image exports those and the attributes adeptly. It looks pleasing in-motion. 

NOTE: We have added 54 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Network use a linear PCM mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. Like the video the audio is at the mercy of the original production values and the sounds is, predictably, a bit weak - hollow and scattered with some bass-less gunfire. The score by Ernest Irving (Kind Hearts and Coronets, Whiskey Galore!) supports the film well but sounds fairly unremarkable in the uncompressed transfer. Network offer optional English subtitles (see sample below) on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Network Blu-ray offers a 10-minute introduction by Philip Horne. he discusses Thorold Dickinson's career and how he got into film direction and sound editor. Notable as a 'surgeon of celluloid', Dickenson has a highly interesting history. Horne discuiss Lionel Atwill who had a scandal in his career - regarding sex orgy and perjury that basically blacklisted him from all except minor roles. There are also image galleries (Image - 3:53, Behind the Scenes - 3:32, Publicity - 2:50.) In the Blu-ray disc's root is a folder with a campaign sheet for The High Command in PDF format.

Thorold Dickinson's The High Command is full of wit. I loved the 30's fashion and deco-ish props.  There are some impressive scenes that carry a subtext (the playing of God Save the King and the wind dramatically picking up.) Some may recall Atwill from the serial Lost City of the Jungle playing the mastermind criminal. He died during its filming and was replaced by a double for his character's remaining scenes. Nice to see 28-year old James Mason in The High Command. Fans of vintage cinema and Thorold Dickinson's (Gaslight, The Queen of Spades, The Arsenal Stadium Mystery) debut feature, will find much to appreciate about the film and the Network Blu-ray presentation as well as the Philip Horne introduction. Recommended to that group.

Gary Tooze

 


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Box Cover

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Bonus Captures:

Distribution Network - Region 'B' - Blu-ray


 


 

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