- Actors: John McIntire, Richard Kiley, John Cassavetes, Sal Mineo, Charles McGraw
- Directors: Anthony Mann, Don Siegel, Edward Dmytryk, Gerald Mayer, Harold Clurman
- Format: AC-3, Box set, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, Subtitled, NTSC
- Language English
- Subtitles: Spanish, English, French
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 4
- Classification: Unrated (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- DVD Release Date: 13 July 2010
- Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B003G9IT3C
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 72,133 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details |
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As a devoted collector of this admirable series, I was disappointed at the lack of extras ( which has been a welcome feature of all previous volumes )but I decided to buy it anyway because I feel this one series that deserves support. Of the eight films, one in particular "Crime In The Streets" is not only the weakest in the set, it's one of the worst and most boring films I've ever seen. On top of which, it is not even a "Film Noir." Whoever had the lame brain idea of including it in this package should be taken for a ride on a dark night and suitably disposed of.
Of the remaining seven, the selection is somewhat better. Although not top drawer, most of this package is reasonably entertaining. "Cornered" starring Dick Powell is an atmospheric post-World War 11 thriller directed by the reliable Edward Dmytrik that holds the interest despite slightly sluggish pacing. An early Anthony Mann film "Desperate"(1947) is a fast-moving little thriller that has a most satisfactory ending. And when it comes to fast-moving, it would be hard to beat
"Armored Car Robbery" (1950) with Charles McGraw hot on the trail of the robbers
who alo killed his partner. The whole plot is executed and sewn up in just 68 minutes under the efficient direction of Richard Fleischer. The other three films
"Deadline At Dawn" (1946)( written by the redoubtable Clifford Odets stars the gorgeous Susan Hayward ), "Backfire" (1950) directed by Vincent Sherman starring a non-singing Gordon MacRae and a top notch cast and "The Phenix City Story"(1955) all deliver the goods and make this set reasonably worthwhile. But I hope the next volume of dark deeds will be more consistent.
Of the remaining seven, the selection is somewhat better. Although not top drawer, most of this package is reasonably entertaining. "Cornered" starring Dick Powell is an atmospheric post-World War 11 thriller directed by the reliable Edward Dmytrik that holds the interest despite slightly sluggish pacing. An early Anthony Mann film "Desperate"(1947) is a fast-moving little thriller that has a most satisfactory ending. And when it comes to fast-moving, it would be hard to beat
"Armored Car Robbery" (1950) with Charles McGraw hot on the trail of the robbers
who alo killed his partner. The whole plot is executed and sewn up in just 68 minutes under the efficient direction of Richard Fleischer. The other three films
"Deadline At Dawn" (1946)( written by the redoubtable Clifford Odets stars the gorgeous Susan Hayward ), "Backfire" (1950) directed by Vincent Sherman starring a non-singing Gordon MacRae and a top notch cast and "The Phenix City Story"(1955) all deliver the goods and make this set reasonably worthwhile. But I hope the next volume of dark deeds will be more consistent.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Disappointing 5th volume from Warners feels like a step too far with seemingly no material left that could be regarded as pukka noir.
For the record
Armored Car Robbery(1950)My reason for buying the set.Charles McGraw plays a determined cop out to avenge his partner's death by catching criminal mastermind William Talman.Highly regarded cult item has it's moments and exterior work plus Talman are excellent but McGraw surprisingly doesn't convince.He and director Fleischer would fare far better 2 yrs later with the brilliant Narrow Margin.
Backfire(1950)Unconvincing soaper has super cast(Virginia Mayo, Viveca Lindfors, Edmond O'Brien)pretty much wasted in a tepid missing person mystery.Hardly noir.
Cornered (1945)Hollywood vet Edward Dmytryk delivers a well turned tale of revenge with Dick Powell on top form as a pilot scouring Buenos Aires for the man he holds responsible for the death of his wife during WW2.Quite exciting well cast drama.
Crime In the Streets(1956)Early social drama from Don Siegel centres on teen murderer John Cassavetes and the fallout from his crime.Notable cast includes Sal Mineo and Mark Rydell as Cassavetes chums and is more social commentary than noir.A bit too long as well.
Desperate(1947)Lesser Anthony Mann is noirish albeit a little too tidy and with a happy ending to boot.Independent trucker Steve Brodie finds himself on the run after a gang of crooks use his truck against his wishes for a robbery that goes wrong.Passable on the whole with Raymond Burr particularly effective as gang boss.The scene in Brodie's lodgings with the "final meal"is suitably tense.
Dial 1119(1950) At 75 minutes this ok suspenser concerning a mad killer holding a bunch of bar patrons hostage is the pick of the bunch with decent tension generated throughout.
Deadline at Dawn(1946)Pedigree Source(Cornell Woolrich)and adaptor(Clifford Odets)together with the always excellent Susan Hayward just about keep this tale of dopey sailor suspected of murder from falling on it's backside.Brooding atmosphere helps somewhat but this is tepid stuff.
Phenix City Story(1955)The underrated(well by me anyway)Phil Karlson keeps this faintly noirish docu style tale of crusading lawyer returning home to clean up his old town well paced with Richard Kiley and John McIntire struting their stuff to good effect.
Coming with no extras worthy of the name,Vol 5 is a threadbare affair and feels like the end of Warners efforts in this area.This studio which has put out some excellent noir/gangster boxsets(almost all R1)in the past has blundered here with a very indifferent set.
Vols 1 and 2 of this series are essential purchases,Vols 3 and 4 are worthy and Vol 5 should strictly be avoided.
For the record
Armored Car Robbery(1950)My reason for buying the set.Charles McGraw plays a determined cop out to avenge his partner's death by catching criminal mastermind William Talman.Highly regarded cult item has it's moments and exterior work plus Talman are excellent but McGraw surprisingly doesn't convince.He and director Fleischer would fare far better 2 yrs later with the brilliant Narrow Margin.
Backfire(1950)Unconvincing soaper has super cast(Virginia Mayo, Viveca Lindfors, Edmond O'Brien)pretty much wasted in a tepid missing person mystery.Hardly noir.
Cornered (1945)Hollywood vet Edward Dmytryk delivers a well turned tale of revenge with Dick Powell on top form as a pilot scouring Buenos Aires for the man he holds responsible for the death of his wife during WW2.Quite exciting well cast drama.
Crime In the Streets(1956)Early social drama from Don Siegel centres on teen murderer John Cassavetes and the fallout from his crime.Notable cast includes Sal Mineo and Mark Rydell as Cassavetes chums and is more social commentary than noir.A bit too long as well.
Desperate(1947)Lesser Anthony Mann is noirish albeit a little too tidy and with a happy ending to boot.Independent trucker Steve Brodie finds himself on the run after a gang of crooks use his truck against his wishes for a robbery that goes wrong.Passable on the whole with Raymond Burr particularly effective as gang boss.The scene in Brodie's lodgings with the "final meal"is suitably tense.
Dial 1119(1950) At 75 minutes this ok suspenser concerning a mad killer holding a bunch of bar patrons hostage is the pick of the bunch with decent tension generated throughout.
Deadline at Dawn(1946)Pedigree Source(Cornell Woolrich)and adaptor(Clifford Odets)together with the always excellent Susan Hayward just about keep this tale of dopey sailor suspected of murder from falling on it's backside.Brooding atmosphere helps somewhat but this is tepid stuff.
Phenix City Story(1955)The underrated(well by me anyway)Phil Karlson keeps this faintly noirish docu style tale of crusading lawyer returning home to clean up his old town well paced with Richard Kiley and John McIntire struting their stuff to good effect.
Coming with no extras worthy of the name,Vol 5 is a threadbare affair and feels like the end of Warners efforts in this area.This studio which has put out some excellent noir/gangster boxsets(almost all R1)in the past has blundered here with a very indifferent set.
Vols 1 and 2 of this series are essential purchases,Vols 3 and 4 are worthy and Vol 5 should strictly be avoided.
1 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's strange how, even amongst noir enthusiasts, there are such radical differences of opinion regarding quality. It would appear that volumes 1 & 2 of these Warner sets are the most popular. Personally, however, of the 10 titles contained therein, precisely half I cannot even bear to watch all the way through, namely: Out of the past (too far-fetched storyline), Murder my sweet (too talk-y), Crossfire (trying too hard to make a political point), Dillinger & Born to kill (dislike Lawrence Tierney). To me, volume 4 is best, with a generous 10 titles, only one of which, the dreadful Decoy, falls short.
All of which made me wary when sitting down to view the 8 films on offer here. As it turned out, only one (Cornered) did I find unwatchable. As for Crime in the streets, described by one reviewer as the "most boring film he's ever seen," I found it the best of the 8. Not noir, the same reviewer claims. Well, this is debatable, but it's set in the city, has plenty of night-time scenes, there is crime involved &, most importantly - & where so very many, around 50% in my opinion, noir films fail - THERE IS A MORAL DILEMMA. What more do you want? Furthermore, the acting is of a high standard & it has a powerful message.
All in all, though, a so-so set &, as has previously been pointed out, no extras. Will there be a vol 6, I wonder - & will we dare buy it...?
All of which made me wary when sitting down to view the 8 films on offer here. As it turned out, only one (Cornered) did I find unwatchable. As for Crime in the streets, described by one reviewer as the "most boring film he's ever seen," I found it the best of the 8. Not noir, the same reviewer claims. Well, this is debatable, but it's set in the city, has plenty of night-time scenes, there is crime involved &, most importantly - & where so very many, around 50% in my opinion, noir films fail - THERE IS A MORAL DILEMMA. What more do you want? Furthermore, the acting is of a high standard & it has a powerful message.
All in all, though, a so-so set &, as has previously been pointed out, no extras. Will there be a vol 6, I wonder - & will we dare buy it...?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
