2010′s Best Monochrome Bluray

Warner Home Video’s The Treasure of the Sierra Madre Bluray is the most exquisitely finessed, luscious-looking black-and-white film I’ve seen in high-def since WHV’s Casablanca. The needle-sharp detail and deep velvety blacks are magnificent. There are some dupey portions but nothing to worry about — most of it is pure pleasure. It’s so crisp and alive-looking, so perfectly honed and lighted that you can enjoy it entirely for the visual benefits alone. Which you wouldn’t want to do, of course, but I’m just sayin’.

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32 thoughts on “2010′s Best Monochrome Bluray”

  1. One of my all time faves and definitely the best thing that Bogart ever did. Dobbsy is one of my favorite characters, contradictory, fatally flawed and utterly human. Too bad I don’t have bluray yet.

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  2. How much better would this disc be if the menu screen showcased a montage of some of those ‘visual benefits’ instead of that photoshopped orange nightmare?

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  3. Treasure is one of my faves of all time. ” We don’t need no stinkin’ badges ? ”

    It’s funny how many people actually think that line was originated from Blazing Saddles. Dipshits.

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  4. Well, I just can’t not buy this.

    >definitely the best thing that Bogart ever did.

    Has there ever been a more ego-free performance by a major star? I love him so much in this.

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  5. “Treasure is one of my faves of all time. ” We don’t need no stinkin’ badges ? ”

    It’s funny how many people actually think that line was originated from Blazing Saddles. Dipshits.”

    People probably think it’s from Blazing Saddles ’cause people like you misquote the original quote with the quote from Blazing Saddles. Dipshit.

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  6. Isn’t Fred C. Dobbs’ doppelganger, the sartorially resplendent but equally viscous and greedy Sam Spade coming soon in a Maltese Falcon blu-ray?

    Apart from Huston and Bogart’s conspiratorial brilliance, Sierra Madre thrives (wallows) in Ted McCord’s lustrous photography, from Dobbs’ grotesquely Brylcreemed haircut to the the shots of gold that actually seem golden, even in black and white.

    Plus the film features one of the most realistic fights ever (Bogart and Holt all over Barton MacLane).

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  10. I’ve long believed that the best way to appreciate Blu-Ray discs is by hand-taping Blu-Ray menu screens and then uploading them to YouTube.

    It really “pops” that way.

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  11. In regard to density, gray scale, contrast, etc., I’ve owned several prints of this film over the years, and always found it to look as if it might have been shot in color and released in b & w.

    While that isn’t the case, the overall look of the film has always been astounding.

    Similar situation for Yankee Doodle Dandy, which has some of the best b & w cinematography that one is apt to find from the era.

    Those who want to know what modern b & w can look like when done right on Blu-ray, need go no further than the Columbia release of In Cold Blood.

    RAH

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  12. What a dick ! What… you wanted me to write out the quote verbatim ? Anyone in the know, would know what I meant, so I didn’t… dipshit.

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  13. What’s amazing about Mr. Harris’s comments is that “Dandy” is in b&w. In my memory it’s a color film! What does that say? (About the film? About my memory? I’ve seen the film dozens of times, so go figger)…

    As for “Treasure,” when we use the term “great,” remember this film. It’s the standard by which that word should be measured. Only bring it out when it matches the high-water mark set here and by other films of this stature.

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  14. Don’t forget, Gaydos, that in the far-flung mists of time, Dandy was one of the first big colorization projects (misbegotten, yes, but still). So you’re not completely misremembering.

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  15. Although he’s rarely mentioned as one of the masters of black-and-white cinematography, Ted McCord did wonderful work other than Treasure: Johnny Belinda, Flamingo Road, War Hunt. He also did well in color: East of Eden. Hard to believe he also did Sound of Music. Have seen it once and remember it as visually dreary.

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  16. Rich S.: Damn but you’re right. And I”m angry all over again about colorization!

    Unfortunately (spoiler here) as my 14 year-old daughter knows, I’m so damned old I saw this movie a few dozen times BEFORE colorization!

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  17. hilariously, the quote associated with Treasure of the Sierra Madre (at least, that phrasing) was originated by Blazing Saddles as a reference joke.

    The original quote was: Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges.

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