Of the many films that I’ve been reviewing recently, A Foreign Affair, is a pleasure. And a new one to me.
Writing going back to 1929, Mr. Wilder moved to directing in 1942, and for the next four decades, became synonymous with quality productions. Some of the finest to come out of the studio system.
A Foreign Affair, a 1948 Paramount production, now controlled by Universal, per a point made by the superb commentary from Joseph McBride, was the second in a trilogy of films that Mr. Wilder made using the old country as a backdrop to the tale.
The elements that Paramount delivered to Universal on their old library, can sometimes be iffy, but this one stands out, and translates beautifully to Kino Lorber’s new Blu-ray.
It was shot by Wilder’s occasional go-to cinematographer, Charles Lang, in black & white. For a lesson in what can be done with black & white, see his work on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.
A worthy addition by every fan of Mr. Wilder’s work.
Image – 4.25
Audio – 4.5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Yes
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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