Blu-Ray Review: Criterion Edition of Noir Classic ‘Kiss Me Deadly’

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CHICAGO – Very few movies are as wonderfully weird as “Kiss Me Deadly,” a film that clearly influenced decades of work that would follow from “Blue Velvet” to “The Adjustment Bureau.” Recently released in a beautiful Criterion edition, “Kiss Me Deadly” is a film that history almost forgot but that found its way to the right people who recognized this unique gem as something worth cherishing. It’s a perfect choice for the most important collection of films released on Blu-ray and DVD as it’s a classic less-heralded than some that will now be brought to a wider, adoring audience.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

Based on the book by Mickey Spillane, “Kiss Me Deadly” probably seemed like just another noir when it was released but history has re-appraised the film as a fascinating funhouse mirror of the Cold War fears so prevalent at the time of its release in 1955. Directed by Robert Aldrich (who would go on to helm “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?,” “The Flight of the Phoenix,” “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Longest Yard,” and many more), “Kiss Me Deadly” also features the debut performances from Maxine Cooper and the timeless Cloris Leachman. Advertised as the “Latest H-Bomb!” with “White-Hot Thrills!,” “Kiss Me Deadly” is fascinatingly bizarre, a tale of a tough guy caught up in an unexplainable situation.

Kiss Me Deadly was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 21, 2011
Kiss Me Deadly was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 21, 2011
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection

Ralph Meeker plays the legendary Mike Hammer, one of the models for all tough guy detectives to follow. Meeker’s version of Hammer is particularly square-jawed and cool as the other side of the pillow. He gets the girls, beats the bad guys, and doesn’t break a sweat. Like most noir protagonists, Mike literally stumbles into his latest nightmare when he picks up a hitchhiker (Leachman) wearing nothing under her trenchcoat. He soon learns that she’s escaped from a mental hospital but he can tell there’s more to her story than just another patient on the loose. Before he knows it, she’s been tortured to death and the men responsible are trying to push both of them into a watery grave. What did she know? Who wanted her dead? The mystery begins…

Kiss Me Deadly was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 21, 2011
Kiss Me Deadly was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 21, 2011
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection

The plot of “Kiss Me Deadly” soon centers around a mysterious box that’s literally called “The Great Whatsit” by a character. An undefined item of extreme importance, the centerpiece of the film can be read as anything (although nuclear fears of the day and the catastrophic end of the movie add more interpretation) and it’s a trick that writers would use for decades, perhaps most notably in the glowing suitcase in “Pulp Fiction.”

Like many noirs, “Kiss Me Deadly” is an exercise in riveting style. The movie is so incredibly captivating and yet breaks so many noir rules at the same time, becoming almost science fiction in the process. It’s often credited as being the end of the noir peak of the ’40s and early ’50s and it definitely went out with a bang.

The Criterion Blu-ray includes a spectacular transfer for the film along with new and archival special features like the original altered ending (which was actually MORE depressing than what was intended), excerpts from previously-available documentaries, and a new video tribute and commentary. It’s a great collection for one of my favorite Criterion inductees of 2011.

Special Features:
o Audio commentary by film noir specialists Alain Silver and James Ursini
o New video tribute by director Alex Cox
o Excerpts from The Long Haul Of A.I. Bezzerides a 2005 documentary on the Kiss Me Deadly screenwriter
o Mike Hammer’s Mickey Spillane, a 1998 documentary about the life and work of the author
o Video pieces on the film’s locations
o Controversial altered ending
o Theatrical Trailer
o Booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman and a 1955 reprinting by director Robert Aldrich

“Kiss Me Deadly” stars Ralph Meeker, Marian Carr, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart, Juano Hernandez, and Wesley Addy. It was written by A.I. Bezzerides and directed by Robert Aldrich. It is not rated and was released by The Criterion Collection on DVD and Blu-ray on June 21st, 2011.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Anonymous's picture

This is wonderful. I can’t

This is wonderful. I can’t wait to see it in Blu-ray. “Kiss me deadly” is one of my favorite romantic movies.

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