The Lady from Shanghai (1947) [4K UHD Review]

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The Lady from Shanghai is a classic Orson Welles film that no one under 40 has seen. Its legacy is cemented not just in its innovative visual style and narrative structure, but also in its influence on the film noir genre and beyond. The recent 4K UHD release of The Lady from Shanghai offers fans of classic cinema an opportunity to experience the film in a format that enhances its visual and auditory elements, bringing new life to this nearly 80-year-old masterpiece.

Let’s talk about The Lady from Shanghai

The Lady from Shanghai is a labyrinthine tale of deceit, betrayal, and murder, set against a backdrop of post-war America. The story follows Michael O’Hara (Orson Welles), an Irish sailor who becomes entangled in a dangerous web of intrigue after meeting the alluring Elsa Bannister (Rita Hayworth). Elsa is married to Arthur Bannister (Everett Sloane), a brilliant but unscrupulous lawyer. O’Hara is lured into a scheme by Bannister and his associate George Grisby (Glenn Anders), who propose a plan that involves O’Hara faking Grisby’s death in order to collect on a life insurance policy.

However, the plan spirals out of control, leading to a series of twists and turns that culminate in one of the most famous climaxes in film history—the Hall of Mirrors sequence. The plot is notoriously complex, with its layers of deception and shifting allegiances, which keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

Looks to kill

The visual style of The Lady from Shanghai is one of its most remarkable features. Welles’s use of deep focus, unusual camera angles, and stark contrasts between light and shadow create a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere that heightens the sense of mystery and unease. The film’s most iconic scene, the Hall of Mirrors shootout, is a masterclass in visual storytelling, using reflections and distorted images to symbolize the characters’ duplicity and the disorienting nature of the plot.

The cinematography by Charles Lawton Jr. plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s tone. The use of chiaroscuro lighting, with its deep shadows and harsh highlights, is a hallmark of film noir, and The Lady from Shanghai employs this technique to stunning effect. The film’s visual style not only serves the narrative but also elevates the film to a work of art, with each frame carefully composed to enhance the mood and themes of the story.

Welles impacted Enter the Dragon

Welles’s work on The Lady from Shanghai broke many of the traditional boundaries of film noir. The genre is known for its moody, shadowy visual style, morally ambiguous characters, and intricate plots that often revolve around crime and corruption. While The Lady from Shanghai embodies many of these characteristics, it also transcends them through Welles’s experimental approach to both narrative and visual elements. His use of symbolism, particularly with mirrors and reflections, added a psychological depth to the genre that was relatively unexplored at the time.

The Hall of Mirrors sequence, for example, remains one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history. It has been referenced, parodied, and paid homage to in numerous films and television shows since its debut. The sequence not only exemplifies the visual and thematic complexity of film noir but also showcases Welles’s innovative spirit, blending suspense, visual artistry, and thematic resonance in a way that has rarely been matched.

People didn’t know what to make of The Lady from Shanghai

In the years following its release, The Lady from Shanghai has been the subject of extensive critical re-evaluation. While it was originally criticized for its convoluted plot and perceived lack of coherence, modern critics have come to appreciate these very elements as part of the film’s charm and complexity. The fragmented narrative, with its layers of deception and shifting perspectives, is now seen as a reflection of the film’s themes rather than a flaw.

What does the 4K UHD look like?

One of the most noticeable improvements in the 4K UHD release is in the clarity of the images. The Hall of Mirrors sequence, in particular, benefits from the increased resolution, with each reflection and distortion rendered with stunning clarity. This not only enhances the visual impact of the scene but also adds to its symbolic weight, making the sequence even more powerful.

What about the whole package?

The Lady from Shanghai comes to 4K UHD with a few special features. Those being an older commentary with Peter Bogdanovich and a related featurette. Plus, a trailer. It’s not shocking when you consider that Bogdanovich was a follower of Welles and studied him super close. Give it a shot.

The Lady from Shanghai is now available on 4K UHD from MovieZyng and our partners

What is great about The Lady from Shanghai

What I didn't care for in The Lady from Shanghai

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