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I Walk Alone Blu-ray Review

Strong performances carry “I Walk Alone.”

After being in prison for 14 years, the gruff and often angry Frankie is released and is looking to get what he’s owed from his partner. His partner (Noll) is now a successful, cocky, manipulative nightclub owner who is also two timing women. Unsurprisingly, Frankie and Noll clash and both are plotting against one another. While all of this is going on, Frankie begins to fall for a nightclub singer (Kay) who Noll was seeing.

If you’re familiar with the film noir genre, there aren’t too many surprises to be found in “I Walk Alone.” There’s crime, snappy dialogue, romance, an anti-hero, revenge, the specific visual style, etc. With that said, there are unusual aspects here that also caught my eye. The notion of Frankie being a man out of time really comes into play plot wise here in an unexpected fashion. I also admired the fact that writer Charles Schnee (whose screenplay is based on a play by Theodore Reeves) gives the character of Frankie a lot of depth. He starts out one way and you think you know what he will do and what his fate will be, but then it goes another direction.

On the subject of the characters, credit really has to be given to the cast. Burt Lancaster, Lizabeth Scott, and Kirk Douglas really make the flawed characters come alive here. Any scene between Lancaster and Douglas is especially rewarding to view. I could watch their back and forth banter all day. Lizabeth Scott also shines as Kay who is also another character whose path has more depth than you’d expect. It also may just be the best performance of her career.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.33:1 1080p. How does it sound? The 4K remaster is a bit too fuzzy at times,

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? All in all, a clean track.

Extras: * Trailers for “The Devil’s Disciple,” “Valdez Is Coming,” “Cast A Giant Shadow,” “Elmer Gantry,” and “The Indian Fighter.” * A solo commentary by Troy Howarth filled with all sorts of film history tidbits, “I Walk Alone” analysis, film noir conversations, etc.

August 7, 2018 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Burt Lancaster, I Walk Alone Blu-ray Review, Kino, Kirk Douglas