Oh yes, you will want this.
Mine arrived a bit in advance of the official release date for a Saturday evening home screening. While hardly a perfect, pristine restoration -- and who needs that in film noir -- Shakedown is nonetheless a miraculous upgrade from the horrific, blurry, choppy copy that occupies most fans' digital collections. The imperfections that remain actually make this long-awaited edition more appealing, and they are really not that noticeable. I would refer you to the DVDBeaver review of the release for a more technical assessment, plus an outline of the extras.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film10/blu-ray_review_156/shakedown_blu-ray.htm
For my part, I've always had high regard for the film. It's based around an ambitious, self-absorbed and unscrupulous newspaper photographer played by Howard Duff in what I believe is his best-ever film performance. It is also an essential but unheralded piece of the Lawrence Tierney filmography, even if it's reduced to a limited supporting part. It's largely shot on location in San Francisco, with a number of settings not seen in other SF films abd to see them in sharp view is fascinating. All in all, it's a solid, top-notch noir that doesn't necessary reach greatness but tells a compelling story through a terrific cast that also includes Brian Donlevy, Peggy Dow, Bruce Bennett and Ann Vernon. Superior direction by Joseph Pevney.
There is a commentary but I haven't listened as of yet.
Responses