I’d published a commentary on Jacques Tourneur’s “foolproof and beautiful” OUT OF THE PAST (1947) a couple of years ago in which I gushed about the look of the movie, one of the most beautifully photographed I’d ever seen. Well, that goes by the wayside now that 
the Warner Archive Collection has released a new restoration of the film on bluray. While I’d anticipated this was a must-see in the new format, I’d never imagined the picture quality could be so greatly enhanced.
You all know I can’t comment on the technical specs when it comes to restorations, but as a movie lover with eyes and decent taste take my word for it – this Warner Archive release on 1080p is absolutely stunning. The composition of the shots and Nicholas Musuraca’s inspired cinematography are paid their due and then some, enhancing one of the best crime melodramas ever made.
OUT OF THE PAST stars Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas (in his second film role) and depicts a story replete with crooked characters, double-crosses and some of the best dialogue ever written. And close-ups! An endless array of gorgeous half-faces in shadows – no one’s all
good or all bad – with particular attention in that regard paid to Jane Greer’s character emphasizing her soft side so that we understand how Bailey falls for her despite her conniving ways. Here, we are reminded of that beautifully and consistently. Oh yes, there is romance in there as well – a noir requisite.
Mitchum plays Jeff Bailey who’d started a new life in a small town trying to get himself out of the past. Again, the differences in the two worlds never before so richly illustrated – the one Bailey has “escaped” to and the one he’s trying to get away from established expertly by Tourneur and photographed by Musuraca. Jane Greer plays Kathie Moffat, the woman from the past, the femme fatale who Bailey goes after and falls for. Moffat is one of, if not the greatest of femme fatales, in my book, a part written so that she keeps everyone
guessing as to what her role is in the dark happenings in the story.
Jeff Bailey is hired by tough guy, Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas) to bring Kathie back to him after she’d run off to hide in Mexico. Whit owns her. She owes him. A dangerous, complicated, engaging plot unfolds in this movie that continues to creeps higher and higher on my list of all-time favorites each time I see it.
If you’ve seen OUT OF THE PAST, but have yet to take a look at this latest release, you are in for a real treat. In fact, it may well seem you’ve never seen it before. The blacks have never been more pronounced, the grays to whites never illustrated with such richness and the cigarette smoke as mood enhancer is perfection. The movie looks gorgeous. So much so that I don’t even mind the lack of special features on the disc, which includes only a commentary by film historian, James Ursini.
In time you may well feel “awfully cold around the heart” if you don’t get your hands on this bluray. The best release news I’d heard all year didn’t disappoint.
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A shout out of thanks to Marie Remelius who handles publicity for Warner Archive for sending me a review copy of the OUT OF THE PAST bluray.
Sounds like a great Blu to get my hands on 🙂
Repeating myself but – IT’S GORGEOUS!
This movie has been a favorite of mine since I first saw it and showed it at our local theater. Have become a fan of film-noir over the years and they don’t get any better than “Out of the Past”. Picked up the Blu-ray version this week and looking forward to watching it this Sunday. Glad to hear they did a good job and thank you for the excellent comments. BTW, your website is outstanding…..
THANK YOU for your kind comments, Jim! Let me know what you think after watching this blu!
Aurora
I must have this. Where is my credit card!
Well, I must insist on this one. I think you’ll be impressed. Note the link I include to Warner Archive Collection at the top of the post goes directly to what was (up through yesterday at least) a sale price for this bluray. 🙂
Yes, I saw that cleverly placed link.
🙂
Well timed post – I’d been trying to remember the name of this film for ages! I can’t wait to see it, and happy to see that now I can watch it in the best restoration format possible….
It is. And be sure to let me know what you think if you get your hands on this. 🙂
I’m salivating!
🙂 As was I while I watched! Twice back-to-back, I’m not ashamed to admit.
Aurora
Out of the Past is my favourite film noir. I’m glad to hear that the picture quality on the Blu ray is superb. It is still on my Amazon wishlist. I’m just waiting for the right price. Kathie Moffat is one of the most dangerous femme fatales in film noir history because she is a bad girl who looks like a good girl. I wrote a short post on the film called “The Femme Fatale.” If you would like to read it, here is the link: https://christopherjohnlindsay.wordpress.com/2014/03/14/out-of-the-past/
Thanks for that! I’ll definitely read your post & agree on Miss Moffat!