Conflict (1945) [Warner Archive Blu-ray review]

Conflict is one of the most confusing Film Noirs I’ve ever seen. Made by Warner Brothers at the start of Film Noir’s peak era, the movie is finally getting a Warner Archive Blu-ray. But, will you enjoy it? I get that some of you are die hard Bogart fans, but it’s easily not his strongest movie. So, what’s the deal? Who out there is going to enjoy Conflict?

Marital Troubles make movies happen

Humphrey Bogart’s relationship with his wife is what gets Conflict rolling. Richard and Kathryn Mason were a happily married couple for years, then a random accusation has started to uproot them. What follows is Kathryn needling Richard about the mother-in-law moving in, other concerns regarding women and finally hammering him until he snaps. Afterwards, a car accident happens that sets the stage for what is to come. But, what does it mean to the Masons?

Conflict is quick to fall back on the expertise of the medical and academic experts. But, something is wrong. Richard has been pushed too far and he’s going to make damned sure that Kathryn finally pays for what she did. It’s a Film Noir, so this means there is a brutal misunderstanding made worse by the lead guy’s misdeeds. Ultimately, it’s going to involve the police and a brutal twist of fate.

This couple knows a lot of doctors

Whether it’s Sydney Greenstreet or Grant Mitchell, doctors play a huge role in Conflict. A chunk of the middle of the film plays around with Bogart’s phantom leg break and the reasoning behind it. Meanwhile, there are a ton of 1940s psycho babble to make sense of what the Masons are currently doing. It’s not something you see in a ton of Film Noir, but it feels more akin to a mid 1930s Crime Doesn’t Pay melodrama. Bogart feels closer to a true Noir character, while the main narrative can’t ever seem to make a decision about how it feels regarding the story.

Honestly, it’s pretty nutty. If you know the history about Conflict, Bogart really didn’t want to make it. However, Warner Brothers refused to make another movie he wanted to star in unless he did Conflict for them. So, he eventually broke his holdout and shot the movie in 1943. Due to World War II and other scheduling concessions, the film wouldn’t be released until 1945. By then, newer film styles were in play and Bogart was already moving onto other roles.

Alexis Smith never really got her due

Alexis Smith isn’t the kind of Golden Age actress that people still remember in 2024. For those unfamiliar with Smith outside of Conflict, she was rather famous actress in the 1940s and 50s. By the time most of the readership came of age, she transitioned to TV and ended her film career with Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence. She doesn’t get a ton to do as Evelyn, but it’s honestly that not typical than what Hitchcock would do with Vera Miles in Psycho.

The adult kid sister gets to break the case wide open when society won’t recognize a normal man for being slightly crazed. It’s an interesting role to see in 1945. Not sure how much to chalk that up to the original story by Robert Siodmak vs. the acting demonstrated by Alexis Smith. She gives more to the role than Bogart, but all Bogart had to do was hit a series of notes. Again, if you start watching Film Noir with this movie, don’t let it put you off related films.

Let’s talk about the Blu-ray

Conflict comes to Warner Archive Blu-ray with a ton of special features. You get some classic Warner Brothers cartoons and features from 1945. It feels like an attempt to rebuild the original theatrical exhibition. The audio only original radio broadcast is also there and you get a trailer. Was I missing an older DVD of this movie?

Because this special features presentation for Conflict feels very close to how classic Warner Brothers used to put together their masterful DVD special editions for classic films. That kind of throwback appeal is why I always watch every Warner Archive Blu-ray.

Conflict is now available to buy from the Warner Archive via MovieZyng

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