It’s time for my Criss Cross blu-ray review. This one released on blu-ray a few months back in the UK by Eureka Entertainment. There’s good news to as it’s a fully restored release. The film stars Burt Lancaster in this film noir crime thriller classic from 1949. With all that said let’s take a closer look at both the movie and the blu-ray release.
- Criss Cross (1949)
- Genre: Film Noir
- Directed by Robert Siodmak
- UK Rating PG
- Discs: 1
- Released By Eureka Entertainment
- Blu-ray Released: 22 June 2020
Plot
Steve Thompson (Burt Lancaster) returns home to Los Angeles with the hope of hooking up with his ex-wife Anna (Yvonne De Carlo). He manages to get his old job back as a guard at the armored-truck company. After beliveing his has won back Anna’s affections he finds out she has married mobster Slim Dundee.
In order to win her back he resorts to invovling Slim Dundee in a job to steal the money from the armoured truck he drives. However there’s certain to be a Criss Cross along the way!
Style / Direction
The film was directed by Robert Siodmak whilst Franz Planer was the one responsible for the cinematography. Its has that classic crime film noir look which I love. Shot in black and white it has some nice camera angles and nails the mood perfectly.
Music / Audio Effects
The music is provided by Miklós Rózsa.
Acting / Characters
Burt Lancaster plays Steve Thompson a regular guy that simply can’t get his ex-wife Anna out of his mind. Lancaster is on top form as is Yvonne De Carlo as his wife Anna. She is madly in love one moment and cold as stone the next.
Cast
- Burt Lancaster as Steve Thompson
- Yvonne De Carlo as Anna
- Dan Duryea as Slim Dundee
- Stephen McNally as Det. Lt. Pete Ramirez
- Esy Morales as Orchestra Leader
- Tom Pedi as Vincent
- Percy Helton as Frank
- Alan Napier as Finchley
- Griff Barnett as Pop
- Meg Randall as Helen
- Richard Long as Slade Thompson
- Joan Miller as The Lush
- Edna Holland as Mrs. Thompson (as Edna Holland)
- John Doucette as Walt
- Marc Krah as Mort
- James O’Rear as Waxie
Conclusion: Criss Cross (1949) Film Review
Criss Cross is an excellent crime thriller that as the name suggests has a lot more going on than inially appears. Burt Lancaster and Yvonne De Carlo are both excellent making this a tense and compelling affair.
If you enjoyed my Criss Cross blu-ray review so far you may want to check out the following films:
Conclusion: Criss Cross Blu-ray Review
The film has undergone a 4K restoration that makes the picture look flawless. I’ve no complaints with either the image quality or with the extras included. I say this all the time, but it really is fabulous to see these classic films receive such attention.
On the extras side there’s audio commentary and a ‘Radio Adaptation’ of the film.
Burt Lancaster is great actor and Criss Cross is excellent film that now looks as it should. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this whilst you can, it a truly fabulous blu-ray release.
Extras
- Audio Commentary
- Radio Adaptation (30 mins)
- Trailer
Criss Cross (1949) Blu-ray
Criss Cross (1949) blu-ray is available now from Amazon.
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Popcorn Cinema Rating: Criss Cross (1949)
MOVIE RATING: MUST SEE
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
Criss Cross (1949 Film Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster…
Clip not representative of the blu-ray version
That concludes my Criss Cross blu-ray review, I’m aiming to review more classic films soon. What’s next? Check back soon…
Summary: Criss Cross (1949) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Criss Cross (1949)
Duration: 88 mins
Director(s): Robert Siodmak
Actor(s): Burt Lancaster, Yvonne De Carlo, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally
Genre: Film Noir
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Picture Rating
- Extras
Summary
Excellent Burt Lancaster crime thriller that now looks fabulous thanks to a 4K Restoration.
Pros
- Burt Lancaster
- Film Noir
- 4K Restoration
Cons
- None
