Double Indemnity (Criterion Collection) Blu-ray Review
By Paul Rudoff on May. 13, 2022 at 9:30 PM in Home Video

The Criterion Collection recently released Double Indemnity (1944) on Blu-ray. Read on to find out more about it...
[ SYNOPSIS ]
When slick salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) walks into the swank home of dissatisfied housewife Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), he intends to sell insurance, but he winds up becoming entangled with her in a far more sinister way.
[ SPECIFICATIONS ]
The movie is presented in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio with a runtime of 1:47:51. The movie has been rated PG according to the back of the case. Audio languages include English. Subtitle languages include English SDH.
[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]
All of the content listed below can be found across the two Blu-ray discs.
- Audio Commentary - with critic Richard Schickel, recorded in 2006.
- Noah Isenberg (17:19) - Film scholar Isenberg discusses the Americanization of Billy Wilder, the evolution of his career, and the production of Double Indemnity. The program was produced for Criterion in February 2022.
- Eddie Muller and Imogen Sara Smith (31:23) - Critics Muller and Smith discusses the stylistic identify of Double Indemnity, its tone and mood, James M. Cain's novel, and the film's lasting reputation as the "ultimate film noir picture". The program was produced for Criterion in February 2022.
- Shadows of Suspense (37:57) - This archival documentary from 2006 examines the roots, development, and popularity of film noir as well as its distinctive American qualities.
- Radio Play: The Screen Guild Theater (29:21) - A vintage radio adaptation of Double Indemnity that was broadcast on March 5, 1945, and starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. For some reason, I am unable to fast-forward through this.
- Radio Play: Lux Radio Theatre (56:20) - A vintage radio adaptation of Double Indemnity that was broadcast on October 30, 1950, and again starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. For some reason, I am unable to fast-forward through this.
- Trailer (2:14) - A vintage trailer.
- Billy, How Did You Do It? (Episode One 59:41, Episode Two 1:01:31, Episode Three 1:02:07) - This archival documentary from 1992 was produced by Volker Schlöndorff and Gisela Grischow, and was broadcast as part of the BBC documentary program Arena. The documentary is broken into three episodes. In English, French, and German, with English subtitles where necessary.
An illustrated fold-out booklet featuring critic Angelica Jade Bastien's essay "The Black Heart of Double Indemnity" is included inside the thick clear two-disc Blu-ray case.
[ NOTES ]
Double Indemnity is available on 3-Disc 4K UHD and 2-Disc Blu-ray. Both versions are highly recommended.
This item has been provided by the Criterion Collection for review on this site.
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