Blu-ray review: “House of Cards” (1968)

“House of Cards” (1968)

Drama

Running Time: 105 minutes

Written by: Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank, Jr.

Directed by: John Guillermin

Featuring: George Peppard, Inger Stevens and Orson Welles

Critical Commentary

“House of Cards” is a thrilling adaptation of Stanley Ellin’s novel, directed by John Guillermin in 1968. Set in 1960s Paris, the film follows Reno Davis, a former boxer who becomes the tutor and bodyguard of a young French boy named Paul. Reno gets embroiled in the dark and sinister world of the aristocratic family, who live a fantastical life after being driven from their estates by the Algerian conflict. The film is a gripping suspense thriller that explores the relationship between people who don’t fully fit into society and their surroundings. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns. One of the highlights of the movie is the performance of Inger Stevens as Anne, Paul’s American mother, who is mentally unstable and paranoid. Overall, “House of Cards” is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good suspense thriller with a touch of international intrigue.

The cinematography of the film is also noteworthy. The shots are beautifully composed, and the use of black and white creates a moody and atmospheric feel. The film also captures the essence of Paris in the 1960s, with its cafes, streets, and buildings. The tension builds up gradually throughout the film, leading to a shocking finale that is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

While the film received mixed reviews upon release, it has since gained a cult following and is regarded as a classic of the suspense genre. Its themes of power, corruption, and class struggle are still relevant today, and the film’s exploration of these themes is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

“House of Cards” is a gripping and well-crafted suspense thriller that still holds up today. Its strong performances, stunning cinematography, and complex plot make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Technical Commentary

Video

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, “House of Cards” arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

This film has some absolutely breathtaking visuals that actually made me speculate that it could have been directed by a very adventurous Federico Fellini. This release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Universal Pictures. The master reveals some traces of digital enhancements, but fortunately they are light enough not to completely wipe out the organic strengths of the visuals. As a result, most of the close-ups can look rather decent; some indoor footage looks fine, too. The wider panoramic shots from Rome is mostly decent, but the larger your screen is, the easier it will be to conclude that a brand new master will make quite a difference. Color balance is good, but there is plenty of room for rebalancing adjustments that will strengthen the supporting nuances and fix some highlights that may appear overblown. Image stability very good.

Audio

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

Special Features