Dark Passage (Humphrey Bogart Collection) (DVD)

Although it's the most unfavorably criticized of the Bogart-Bacall teamings, "Dark Passage" is a fascinating film, and one of those little gems which shines brighter with each viewing. The plot, which relies a little too heavily on coincidence and improbable twists, is nontheless engrossing. Bogart plays a convicted murderer on the lam who is trying to keep a low profile while identifying his wife's real killer; Bacall is the gorgeous girl who staunchly believes in his innocence and takes big risks to help him out. Interestingly, the first part of the film is presented from Bogart's point of view, with the other characters talking directly to the camera as if it were him. This places the brunt of the acting burden on his co-stars, and in particular, Bacall; to her credit, she carries the first half of the film expertly, capturing and maintaining viewer interest with her expressive voice and handsome face. Bogart's character finally materializes visually about halfway through the film as an unrecognizable face in a newspaper photo; next as a shadowed figure in the back of a cab; then as a head-bandaged plastic surgery patient; and finally emerges as the hero, the man with Bogart's face. Without giving away any more of the labyrinthian plot, suffice it to say that the supporting cast is uniformly excellent with special kudos going to Tom D'Andrea as a perceptive cab driver, Houseley Stevenson as a quirky plastic surgeon, and Agnes Moorehead as a peevish, man-hungry harridan. Sid Hickox's black-and-white cinematography is both attention-grabbing and beautiful, and the art direction and set decorations are superb (especially love the contrast between Bacall's lavish apartment and the gritty scenes of nighttime San Francisco). The DVD presentation of this noir classic is strictly first class. The video transfer is sharp with excellent contrast, and the sound is clear and crisp. The disc includes the Original Theatrical Trailer, a "making of" documentary, and the Merry Melodies color cartoon "Slick Hare", in which Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd meet up with Bogart, Bacall, and a host of other movie legends. Overall, a wonderful package that offers a wealth of fun and entertainment.

A wonderful classic with two great actors.

Dark Passage (1947) is the third of four Bogey/Bacall pairings, and is a wonderful film. I should note that every Bogey/Bacall picture is wonderful. As for Dark Passage: I really like the even pacing of this film, and the fact that the plot isn't overly complicated and convoluted. While some films (such as The Big Sleep) actually benefit from their complicated plots, this film is best told in a more direct way. We quickly learn that Bogart's character is framed for murder, and he resorts to getting plastic surgery to change his look to avoid authorities while he tries to clear his name. This setup is simple, but the film is never boring, because there are twists and turns along the way, and the film has the feel of a thriller while still being a film noir. The supporting cast are stellar in their respective roles, and really carry the film. This film is very absorbing and holds your attention, thanks to the simpler plot, simpler dialogue and surprises along the way. The blu ray is an excellent transfer, with great picture and sound quality for an old film. It has some good special features as well. Dark Passage is essential for film noir aficionados, so I enthusiastically recommend it.

>I like this one even better than 'Out Of The Past', with Bob Mitchim, as this one has a happier ending...Bogie and BaCall's on/screen intensity is just GREAT! Wow, such chemistry! Though not that well recieved by the movie/going public in it's day, 'DARK PASSAGE' has gotten better with the passage of some 70 or more years...It's a clear as crystal guided tour of SanFrancisco; complete with steep hills, cable cars and strange back alley chance meetings that feature an assortment of very odd-offbeat characters who ultimately shape and form one man's destiny...A wrongly convicted man who seizes an opportunity to escape from not only the San Quentin law machine-but from his horrible past, once and for all. This movie was ahead of it's time, in that sharp direction and blunt, (let's get realism), signaled an almost dead/on world weariness-or rather ostentatious/era that later became known as "1960's Sensibility"-or perhaps ceremonious bluffer...In stark contrast, set against this black n white complacent bland scene runs Bogart-the man alone, dead/set on escaping his old life that has threatened to kill him time after time! >Not only is his fate and destiny unsure, it changes from moment to moment; at times leaving his audience scratching their heads...Add to this the fact that the viewer cannot see his face for a good third of the movie's first part-and one gains an interesting 'point of view' into how rough going such a wild attempt at terrible hiatus such a long night's journey into daylight might really be...It is a thrilling masterpiece of 1940's film/noir, a thing of art from out of the past that reminds us; "They don't make em this way anymore!"

buena imagen y sonido

Good nice

Encore une fois, il faut aller se servir chez nos amis espagnols de chez Warner pour avoir droit au blu-ray du film de Delmer Daves. La copie HD est très bonne, le rendu de la photo de Sid Hickox est tellement glauque dans les rues et impasses de San Francisco qu' on en choperait une jaunisse. Tiré du roman de David Goodis "Cauchemar", le métrage de Delmer Daves en respecte l' intrigue à deux ou trois péripéties près ; on peut aussi rajouter que la lilliputienne Veronica Lake aurait mieux convenu en lieu et place de la trop grande Lauren Bacall. Se raccrocher juste à la caméra subjective, le regard de Bogart/Parry, pour l' originalité du film, c' est faire fi du brio d' Agnes Moorehead en Barbara Stanwyck du purgatoire, à moins d' être miro ; l' ardu affrontement avec Bogart/Parry ainsi que la fin de son personnage qui est implacable et imparable, ce sont les meilleures scènes du film ! Ceux qui ne croient pas à une évasion de prison dans un baril, devraient se souvenir de celle de Jean-Pierre Treiber dans un carton... Film en noir et blanc au format 4/3 d' une durée de 106 mn. Audio et sous-titres en castillan, espagnol, anglais et français. Bonus : - Un documentaire "Hold your breath and cross your fingers" d' environ 11 mn avec VOSTRF - La bande annonce de "Dark Passage" troisième film du couple Bogart/Bacall d' environ 2 mn - Un Bugs Bunny, le célèbre "Slick Hare" d' environ 8 mn avec VOSTRF

Worthwhile addition to my collection of Bogart/Bacall collection.

Bogart is good in this one Bogart fans will love it. Lizard