Out of the Past - 4K Blu-ray Review

[Michael Scott]

Out of the Past

Movie:
4K Video:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:


AV NIRVANA is member and reader-supported. When you purchase an item using our links, we might earn an affiliate commission.
​

Movie
Wow, has it really been 79 years since Out of the Past came out? I remember this as a child (my family loved old black and white films) and thinking it wasn’t THAT long ago, but counting back over time, I suddenly realize that a lot of the films I grew up with as a child are approaching the 100-year-old mark. Which means I’m about …..nope, not going there. I’m still only 29 (as my wife cackles at me across the room). That being said, Out of the Past is one of the few Warner Archive double dips that I have absolutely no problem with them doing so. 12 years ago I picked up their Blu-ray of this seminal film and have watched it more times than I care to count. So when I saw that we were getting a 4K UHD release of the flick, I dove on it. And I’m glad I did, as this is an impressive-looking disc that handily outclasses the Blu-ray (which is included here in a combo pack).

This is the film that was widely known to change Robert Mitchum’s career path from playing nice guys and average Joes to darker, more villainous roles. But Jacques Tourneur’s film cast him as a decent enough guy with a checkered past. A man who would do most things for money, and has done so at least some of the time. Ill-fated detective Jeff Bailey is now running a gas station in a small town named Bridgeport, where he’s dating local girl Ann Miller (Virginia Huston), despite the local sheriff and her parents not exactly loving the coupling. But after a random stranger comes to town and tells him that an old friend named “Whit” (Kirk Douglas) wants to see him in Lake Tahoe, Jeff’s past catches up with him. You see, his real name is Jeff Markham, and he used to be a detective in New York City, and back in the day Whit had hired Jeff to track down his girlfriend Kathie Moffat (Jane Greer), who had stolen $40,000 from him and put a few slugs in his belly.

However, Jeff traced Kathie to Acapulco, and instead of bringing her back, fell in love with the woman. The only thing was, Kathie was a bit of a shark herself, having lied to Jeff about not stealing the money, and killing a man who tracked them down. Wanting nothing to do with the woman, Jeff headed back home, leaving Kathie to forge her own path. And, like all these Neo Noir thrillers, things get sticky once more when Jeff discovers in the modern day that Whit wants him for another job, AND Kathie is back at home with Whit. And the job that Whit has lined up for Jeff smells to high heaven. But hey, Jeff is a classic cigarette smoking hard boiled detective, so what’s he gonna do but follow the path to see where it leads him, and hope that his love for Kathie doesn’t leave him dead in a ditch somewhere.

Out of the Past is one of the most iconic hard-boiled Neo Noir thrillers of yesterday, and for good reason. It’s got all of the panache of Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe, and the star power of Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, and Robert Mitchum is intoxicating. The film features a non-linear story, with the opening and the ending telling the modern-day narrative, with the center act taking up a massive amount of time telling Jeff and Kathie’s past, and how they got to where they are now. Like most Noir films of the time, this doesn’t end on a happy note, as Jeff is almost as scummy a guy as Whit; he just has SOME morals still left in him. So while you’re rooting for Jeff the whole time, it’s fully understood that he’s not exactly a good guy either. The film starts slow, but picks up pace to the point where you can’t keep your eyes off the screen in the final act. Something hard to do today, let alone in the 1940s when there wasn’t a ton of special effects or massive budgets to mask any flaws in the story. Instead, we get a tight, clean, and gripping femme fatale Neo Noir thriller that grabs your attention from the first few moments, and doesn’t let go till the credits roll.




Rating:

Not Rated by the MPAA




4K Video: Video:

The 2014 Blu-ray of Out of the Past was originally sourced from a fine-grain master positive that was fine enough for the time, but wasn’t AS good as going back to the original film negatives. And while it still is a good-looking disc, it wasn’t that good for a 4K UHD disc. This new disc comes from Warner Archive going back and using a scan of the OCN, resulting in a substantial upgrade over the previous master (as can be seen from the included remastered Blu-ray when compared to the 2014 disc). There are some slight tweaks to the master, giving it a teensy bit wider look (the one was slightly cramped on the sides) and a much better-looking image. Grain in particular is stunning, with much finer grain replication, and smoother and cleaner-looking clarity. Fine details are razor sharp, and outside of mild optical shots that are MEANT to look slightly soft, this is an incredible-looking image. The Dolby Vision really enhances the black levels of this film, showing us every bit of shadow detail, and making the image look brilliant all the way around. Being that this is a black and white film, black levels are absolutely paramount, and this is just silky smooth from beginning to end. The remastered Blu-ray is almost as good, giving us a substantial boost to the 2014’s image, making this the all-around package by FAR.








Audio:

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono track (found on both discs) seems to be identical to the 2014 disc, which means it's a solid performer, but nothing that will blow your socks off. As expected, it is just that. The mono mix is good, with great dialog replication and some decent scoring. I did notice some thinness on the top end, but no major distortion or audio imbalances. Frankly, it does what is asked of it with quite simplicity, and while I did make note on the back package that this is a NEW mix, it still sounds so similar to the 2014 disc that I can’t tell them apart.

.





Extras:

• Audio Commentary with Film Critic James Ursini
• Introduction
• Radio Shows

Final Score: ​

Mitchum’s Out of the Past is right in line with the greats like Humphrey Bogart, giving us a gripping story with a lead character that is both repulsive and relatable at the same time. He’s a bad guy with a good heart, a bad cigarette habit, and a penchant for keeping himself alive. Jane Greer is amazing as the duplicitous Kathie, and the entire film is just an amazing experience. Most people who read my reviews know I don’t like to give 5/5 ratings that often, but this (along with Forbidden Planet) are absolute must own film for any classic film lover. And Warner Archive’s new 4K UHD looks amazing. There are a couple more extras this time around, and the same audio track that the Blu-ray had, which makes this a very nice upgrade over the 12-year-old Blu-ray. Must-own is my final recommendation.


Technical Specifications:

Starring: Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglass
Directed by: Jacques Tourneur
Written by: Daniel Mainwaring, James M. Cain, Frank Fenton
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 HEVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English SDH
Studio: Warner Archive
Rated: NR
Runtime: 98 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: September 15th, 2026

Recommendation: Highly Recommended