Journey into Fear (1943) [Warner Archive Blu-ray review]

Journey into Fear is the most Orson Welles movie that Welles never well’d. It sounded a lot better in my head, but there comes a time where you wonder what is the best way to introduce Gen Z to a Mercury Production. Coming off the heels of Citizen Kane and Ambersons one-two punch, Journey into Fear is another heavily edited footnote that many have overlooked. Joseph Cotten starred and wrote this stunning look at a gunnery engineer being hunted by the Gestapo. Arriving at the midpoint of World War II, it was a fascinating away to examine the enemy and how we respond to them.

What is Journey into Fear?

Journey into Fear centers on Howard Graham (Cotten), an American working in Turkey who unwittingly finds himself the target of Nazi agents seeking to stop his military projects. After a close assassination attempt in Istanbul, Graham ends up on a tramp steamer bound for Batumi, Georgia, hoping to slip under the radar. Along the way, he finds himself in the company of a colorful group of characters, including the mysterious dancer Josette (Dolores del Río), her shady partner Gogo (Jack Durant), and a host of suspicious passengers. Graham must navigate through deceit, assassination attempts, and an increasing sense of paranoia, all while uncertain who among his fellow travelers he can trust.

In typical noir fashion, the plot of Journey into Fear is both convoluted and compelling, aided by a palpable sense of danger at every turn. Graham is a reluctant protagonist, more of a victim of circumstance than a true hero, and his attempts to survive the increasingly hostile situations reflect a real sense of vulnerability. The film’s tension is amplified by its unpredictable characters, particularly Josette, who oscillates between being Graham’s potential ally and a possible threat.

The film looks amazing

Journey into Fear excels in its atmospheric tension, largely thanks to Karl Struss’s cinematography. The use of shadowy corridors, confined spaces, and chiaroscuro lighting gives the film an unmistakable noir aesthetic. The steamer becomes a character itself—a claustrophobic environment where every creak and shadow adds to the suspense. Struss’s work, along with Mark Robson’s editing, keeps viewers on edge, while Roy Webb’s moody score underscores the sense of danger and deception that defines the story.

Norman Foster’s direction, with input from Welles, ensures the film has a strong visual identity. While Welles was uncredited, his influence can be felt throughout—particularly in the noirish tone and the visual stylization. The production was very much a collaborative effort, with Welles reportedly stepping in to direct several sequences when Foster was unavailable. The end result is a film that feels cohesive, despite its occasionally disjointed narrative.

Warner Archive created a well-crafted Blu-ray

The Warner Archive Blu-ray release of Journey into Fear does justice to this underappreciated classic. The film’s black-and-white cinematography has been beautifully restored, with improved clarity and contrast that enhance Struss’s shadow-filled visuals. The quality upgrade allows viewers to fully appreciate the subtleties of the film’s lighting, which are crucial to its noir atmosphere.

The audio, featuring Roy Webb’s evocative score, has also been cleaned up, making dialogue clearer and enhancing the tension of the more suspenseful scenes. This is particularly important for a film that relies heavily on mood and ambiance to drive its story forward. The Blu-ray also includes some bonus features ranging from three Orson Welles led Mercury Theater radio broadcasts including his stunning presentation of Dracula.

A final thought before the final thoughts

I am aware that there was an alternate longer cut of Journey into Fear. However, I’m not sure how many prints of it have survived into 2024. If any readers have more information about this, I’d love to learn more as most of what I know just comes from studying Welles and Cotten.

Journey into Fear might not have the same level of recognition as Welles’ other projects, but it is a fascinating slice of wartime noir that deserves more attention. The film’s intrigue lies in its mix of espionage, paranoia, and noir aesthetics, which keep the audience guessing until the end. The Mercury Theatre ensemble cast, led by Joseph Cotten, brings a mix of charisma and complexity to their roles, making the film feel richer than the typical B-movie thriller.

Warner Archive has done a great job bringing this underseen film to Blu-ray and I’d recommend checking it out!

Journey into Fear is now available as a Warner Archive Blu-ray from MovieZyng

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Buy Journey into Fear on Warner Archive Blu-ray!

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