Alias Nick Beal Blu-ray

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

Directed by John Farrow

USA 1949

From John Farrow, the outstanding director of Wake Island, Calcutta, The Big Clock, Night Has a Thousand Eyes and Hondo, comes this shock-filled film noir starring Ray Milland (The Lost Weekend), Audrey Totter (The Set-Up), Thomas Mitchell (Stagecoach) and George Macready (Gilda). Joseph Foster (Mitchell) is an honest district attorney who wants to run for governor in order to clean up the criminal underworld. Blocked by corrupt political forces, Foster would practically have to make a deal with the Devil to reach his goal. Enter Nick Beal (Milland), a diabolically handsome gent with a slick line of patter and a smooth, infallible method of getting things done. Foster agrees to a deal, and to bind the bargain, Beal sends out one of his most trusted associates, Donna Allen (Totter), to keep Foster in line. When Foster finally realizes that he’s sold his soul, there seems to be no way out... but that’s when the forces of Good switch into high gear.

***

After straight-arrow district attorney Joseph Foster says in frustration that he would sell his soul to bring down a local mob boss, a smooth-talking stranger named Nick Beal shows up with enough evidence to seal a conviction. When that success leads Foster to run for governor, Beal's unearthly hold on him turns the previously honest man corrupt, much to the displeasure of his wife and his steadfast minister.

***

Ray Milland is the mysterious Nick Beal, who materialises to offer honest politician Thomas Mitchell not only wealth but also the charms of Audrey Totter. The former crusader against crime becomes power hungry under “Old Nick’s'” malign influence.

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 4th, 1949

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Review: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from: Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:32:46.269
Video	1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,943,133,606 bytes Feature: 29,804,783,616 bytes Video Bitrate: 38.91 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	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1554 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1554 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Kino 1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 31,943,133,606 bytes Feature: 29,804,783,616 bytes Video Bitrate: 38.91 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by Film Historian Eddie Muller • Theatrical Trailer (2:23) Blu-ray Release Date: July 13th, 2021 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 10

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (June 2021): Kino have transferred John Farrow's Alias Nick Beal to Blu-ray. It was previously released by Imprint (Australia) in their 4 Blu-ray set Essential Film Noir: Collection 1 with Framed (1947), Alias Nick Beal (1949), Detective Story (1951) and The Garment Jungle (1957) - released in November 2020. We reviewed the entire set HERE. While the Kino is slightly more robustly transferred, and also a shade brighter, but has had some further clean-up - as I could not duplicate the Imprint's cue-blips (see below.) This may be more noticeable in the beginning which looked rougher on the Imprint 1080P. For most viewers it will be slight, but, if forced, we give the nod to the Kino.

NOTE: We have added 19 more large resolution Imprint Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Effects are subtle but the film's moods are augmented, in certain scenes, by the score of the great Franz Waxman (Sorry Wrong Number, Untamed, Rebecca, Dark Passage, Bride of Frankenstein, Rear Window, Sunset Boulevard). Kino, like the Imprint, also offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray duplicate the 2020 commentary (on Imprint's Essential Film Noir: Collection 1) by the 'Czar of Noir' Eddie Muller, who came out of 'retirement' to do this one. He's a big fan of the film and highlights certain scenes that he appreciates, his adoration of Audrey Totter (I join him!) and this being one of her best roles, Mephistopheles, plenty of John Farrow and Milland, the murals in the Totter's bequeathed apartment, the production code and more. Eddie identifies many of the supporting cast, making connections, like Tim Ryan (Detective Dodds) spouse of Irene Ryan (Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies.) It is as good as you might anticipate eventually posing the question if it is a true Film Noir discussing its aspects; 'thematically' involving corruption, a rigged system etc... and how it may more relevant today. There is also a theatrical trailer.

John Farrow's Alias Nick Beal is a unique entry - retelling of the Faust myth using great sets (seedy bars the lavish apartment) and plenty of fog and shadows. I have actually grown to appreciate it more - each time I view it. The Kino Blu-ray. is stand-alone and gives a marginally higher video, plus keeps the Eddie Muller commentary. Strongly recommended if you don't have Imprint's Essential Film Noir: Collection 1 set.

Gary Tooze