Are you ready for Jamaica Inn blu-ray review, a film from a true master of cinema. I’m referring to director Alfred Hitchcock.
Jamaica Inn (1939) is a black and white crime adventure starring Charles Laughton, Maureen O’Hara and Robert Newton.
- Jamaica Inn (1939)
- Genre: Crime, Adventure
- Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
- Based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier
- Music by Eric Fenby
- Cinematography by Bernard Knowles & Harry Stradling
- UK Rating PG
- Released By Arrow Academy Dual Format (Blu-ray & DVD)
- Starring Charles Laughton, Maureen O’Hara, Robert Newton, Emlyn Williams
Plot
Set in Cornwall around the coast, the fellows of Jamaica Inn are in fact a band of thugs and murderers. They lure ships on to the rocks and murder any surviving crew, stealing their cargo. But who is the mastermind behind the lucrative operation?
However things become disrupted when Mary Yellan (Maureen O’Hara) arrives with the intention of living with her aunt Patience and her husband Joss who also happen to run the Jamaica Inn.
The coachman refuses to stop at the Inn instead dropping Mary some distance from it. She makes her way to the nearby house of Sir Humphrey Pengallann who agrees to escort her to the Jamaica Inn.
Once there Mary discovers that Joss is a nasty piece of work making her aunts life a misery. Furthermore she witnesses a lynching of one of the gang and proceeds to intervene.
From here the film really begins to ramp up the tension of which I will leave you to discover for yourself.
Style / Direction
Hitchcock produces an incredibly atmospheric crime thriller/adventure which looks amazing in terms of camera work and lighting. Add to that some stormy sound effects and you have a stunning looking and sounding film.
The pacing is just about perfect, allowing enough time for the story to develop whilst revealing more traits about the main characters, Sir Humphrey Pengallann in particular.
This is a perfect late night film.
Music / Audio Effects
The weather plays a huge role in creating the mood and atmosphere so there is plenty of stormy weather effects. Great stuff!
Acting / Characters
On the acting side all the main players are excellent with Charles Laughton playing the pompous Sir Humphrey Pengallan to perfection.
Maureen O’Hara as Mary Yellen a young woman who has come to stay with her aunt is a determined and strong character. It’s an exceptional performance and really adds the quality of the film.
Robert Newton plays James Traherne one of the members of the Jamaica Inn gang with a secret he is keen to keep. He plays a prominent role in the film and does a very good job.
Elsewhere Leslie Banks as Joss the nasty uncle nails that character. He is the one calling the shots at the Jamaica Inn or at least he is the visible ring leader. The rest of the gang are all similarly horrible characters who would sell their own mother if there was some coin to be made. All a well cast and fit their given roles perfectly.
Conclusion: Jamaica Inn (1939) Film Review
Jamaica Inn really is a film classic, Hitchcock delivers a truly outstanding film. It looks and sounds fantastic and has no real issues, in fact it’s pretty much perfect. Top acting from all the main players ensure a thoroughly entertaining experience.
If all that was not enough it’s had a 4K restoration, more on that below.
If you’ve enjoyed this Jamaica Inn blu-ray review so far you may want to take a look at these films:
Conclusion: Jamaica Inn Blu-ray Review
Quite simply the Blu-ray looks amazing without a single flicker or speckle or none that I could see. If you love this film or are a fan of Alfred Hitchcock than this Blu-ray version of Jamaica Inn is a must.
Plus you also have the DVD included which looks very good possibly not a sharp but very good nonetheless.
To realise just how good this restoration you only need put on the previous DVD release. The picture is far from stable and is full of flickers and speckles.
The Blu-ray version is perfect, lets hope more classic films receive this level of restoration. Outstanding job!
Extras
- Documentary: Shipwrecked In A Studio
- Trailer
- Booklet
- Reversible Sleeve
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Popcorn Cinema Rating: Jamaica Inn (1939)
MOVIE RATING: MUST SEE
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
Jamaica Inn (1939) Film Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster with trailer…
Jamaica Inn blu-ray review is just the start of our look at Alfred Hitchcock films
Summary: Jamaica Inn (1939) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Jamaica Inn (1939)
Duration: 100 mins
Director(s): Alfred Hitchcock
Actor(s): Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, Robert Newton, Emlyn Williams
Genre: Crime, Adventure
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Rating
- Extras
Summary
Classic Hitchcock now fully restored and looks absolutely amazing! What more could a film fan want?
