They Live By Night (1948) (CRITERION COLLECTION) UK Only [Blu-ray] [2020]

Impressive debut feature from Nicholas Ray, with handsome Farley Granger and lovely Cathy O'Donnell as lovers on the run from the authorities. Not as hardboiled as you'd expect from a film noir, but very beautiful and rather romantic instead.The UK Criterion Blu-ray release comes with an audio commentary and featurette that were earlier on the US DVD-release in Warner Brothers Film Noir Classic Collection Vol. 4, but adds a good video essay introduction by Imogen Sara Smith. And of course an excellent picture and audio quality that makes this a welcome upgrade from the DVD.As usual with Criterion-releases the English subtitles are not accessible through the Blu-ray-menu, but can be switched on using the Subtitle-button on your remote control.

Fab dvd featuring the gorgeous Cathy O'Donnell - great movie !

They Live By Night (AKA: The Twisted Road) is directed by Nicholas Ray and written by Ray and Charles Schnee who adapt from Edward Anderson's novel Thieves Like Us. It stars Cathy O'Donnell, Farley Granger, Howard Da Silva & Jay C. Flippen. Produced by John Houseman out of RKO, it's photographed by George E. Diskant and music is by Leigh Harline.Ray's debut feature (it was actually wrapped in 1947) is a potent piece of film noir set during the Great Depression. Story follows Bowie (Granger), a naive young man who escapes from prison with two hardened criminals, Chicamaw (Da Silva) & T-Dub (Flippen), and finds unexpected love in the form of the almost saintly Keechie (O'Donnell). However, he finds that no matter what his good intentions are, crime just wont leave him be and with Keechie in tow, goes on the run to hopefully find a better life.It's a pretty simple story all told, one that has been well represented in film over the years with the likes of You Only Live Once, High Sierra & Gun Crazy. But as simple as the tale is, Ray's film is very much a leading light in the sub-genre of "lovers on the lam" movies. First thing of note is that there's a movement away from the normal characters that had frequented the noir driven crime world up till now. The protagonists here are not gangsters or private investigators, they are thieves, and country folk too. This offers up a different viewing character wise. Admittedly the protagonists are shrouded in classic film noir hopelessness, where the air of desperation hangs heavy throughout, but the characterisation shift gives the simple story a lift.From the outset it's evident that this is an intriguing, even curious, picture. A shot of our loving couple sharing a kiss is accompanied with a title card telling us that they were never properly introduced to the world we live in. A blast of Harline's music startles them and we then cut to an aerial shot (Ray leading the way for helicopter shots) of the three escapee's in the getaway car. In those 30 seconds Ray has managed to convey that his film will be an energetic, yet doom laden, love story. Quite a feat for a fledgling director to be unique right from the off. It's interesting to note that Ray himself said that he wasn't trying to make a film noir movie, he was merely telling a tragic love story. Just another point of reference as to why the film is so fascinating.Be that as it may, They Live By Night pulses with noir blood. From its perpetual moody atmospherics, to the romantic narrative being punctured by moments of violence, it deserves its classic film noir status. 8/10

Good product and service thank you.

This 1948 black and white crime film follows a young criminal who has ideas of clearing his name following an escape from prison but is caught up with a rough crew and looks to be heading deeper into trouble. On his capers he encounters a young women who they fall for each other and try to maintain a relationship as things start to get deeper in the mire.For me it just doesn't work at all. I think you're supposed to feel for the main character and his spiralling difficulties but I didn't feel any pathos or sympathy for the main character or his position. What actually happens feels pretty run of the mill.I've heard this is supposed to be a film noir but the filming showed very little of that style/cinematography other than a unfortunate story.Howard Da Silva is very good and brings some life to the film as the dangerous one eyed Uncle and Cathy O'Donnell does well with a tricky role to make her sympathetic and interesting.

Restoration and film quality are up to Criterion standards. No subtitles to come with the film. My father is hearing impaired so cannot enjoy this one. Very poor form from Criterion not to provide English subtitles.

The Criterion collection released on Blu-ray this 1949 film noir classic starring Farley Granger and Cathy O'Donnell as a young couple on the run from the law for a robbery he got caught up in, and their desperate plight to go straight before the police close in.Looking just fine in HD, an upgrade from the ten-film double feature DVD set of Film Noir Classics Volume 4 (where this was paired with "Side Street") porting over those extras plus new interviews and an insert booklet. Stylish and effective film with fine direction (Nicholas Ray) and performances.

Rodada en 1.948 y vista ahora "They live by night" resulta llamativamente moderna y poetica. Nicholas R.,que nunca cuajó en Hollywood, terminó su carrera rodando en Madrid para Samuel Broston y dejando un legado cinematográfico impresionante. Lástima el DVD tiene pésima imagen (da la impresión de 16mm pasados al tranfer) y el sonido en V.O. es igual de malo. ¿ Para cuando un BluRay de esta película?

Excelente película del género film noir con una trama romántica de una pareja joven.Es una buena historia con una buena dirección y actuaciones, el director es el mismo de Rebelde sin causa y se nota el estilo de dirección.Al ser de Criterion cuenta con una calidad visual sorprendente y buenos extras, recomendable para coleccionistas y cinéfilos.

A 23 year old prisoner hoping to prove his innocence escapes from a Mississippi state prison along with 2 other prisoners. His 2 fellow escapees persuade him go on a robbery with them. He’s injured and meets and falls in love with the woman who nurses him back to health. He begins to dream of spending the rest of his life with her, but fate will have other plans when his escaped friends convince him to participate in several more heists. Resulting in the police believing him to be a criminal mastermind and become relentlessly to get him.The film that inspired the likes of such classic films as In Cold Blood(1967) and Badlands(1973). Presented here fully restored.

A masterpiece by Nicholas Ray in his directorial debut. Great noir and interesting love story. Shot with innovative techniques. Great special features and a cool booklet. A must for Nic Ray fans