My prior experience with Henry Koster’s My Cousin Rachel, was via Twilight Time’s original DVD release, back c. 2011.
That quality film element, receives a major uptick here, as in 1080p, every bit of imagery, along with black levels and shadow detail shine through.
Make no mistake, this no routine drawing room, gothic romance.
With a tip of the hat toward the 1940 Rebecca — there’s a connection there somewhere — this 98 minute visit to a similar craggy Cornish coast, will keep you guessing untold secrets.
The great Olivia de Havilland (still with us at 101) is at the center of the tale, providing the audience with multiple levels of questions as to precisely what her intentions might be, toward a young and innocent Richard Burton, in his first American film appearance.
Mr. Burton would appear two years hence in Mr. Koster’s (and our) first exposure to CinemaScope.
My Cousin Rachel is a superb entertainment, beautifully mounted (albeit with many painted backdrops and process shots) production from Fox.
Photographed by Joseph LaShelle, (Laura, The Apartment), and with a screenplay by the prolific Nunnally Johnson.
The films score, offered on the Twilight Time release, is by someone named Franz Waxman. For those unaware, he may be worth investigating. And he’s another connection to Rebecca.
While I’d love to call this a perfect disc, I’m restrained from doing so, as I found one very brief transitional shot, that might have used a couple of points more exposure.
Aside from that, absolutely perfect, and glorious.
A wonderful, and very important release from Twilight Time, based upon a lovely Fox master, that should not be overlooked.
Four Academy Award nominations:
Richard Burton – Actor in a Supporting Role
Art Direction (b&w)
Cinematography (b&w)
Costume Design (b&w)
Image – 5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Absolutely
Highly Recommended
RAH
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