Warner Bros Blu Ray with cuts restored

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Rachel-and-the-Stranger-Blu-ray/266014/

Warner Archive's new 1080p transfer of Rachel and the Stranger includes several long-overdue visual milestones exclusive to this Blu-ray. The studio's press release indicates that nearly 15 minutes of cut footage have been stitched back into the film, bringing its running time up to 93 minutes. Additionally, blacklisted writer Waldo Salt's name has been reinstated, having previously been scrubbed away by RKO for the film's 1954 theatrical re-release. From there, the finished product was given a brand-new 4K scan and the studio's usual meticulous manual cleanup, revealing a largely consistent and nicely upgraded picture that supports the understated but attractive cinematography.

Word has it that this stunning transfer was sourced from two primary elements: the original (cut) nitrate camera negative and a full-length British nitrate negative, so it's no surprise that the bulk of it has a dazzling, silvery sheen that's loaded with natural film grain. Though a great deal of Rachel and the Stranger was filmed indoors under low or natural light, even its most challenging scenes look great while the sunny exterior shots fare even better. Although it's never specified exactly what footage is "new" to this release, there are several wide and establishing shots that look slightly harsher in direct comparison; though certainly watchable and free from most age-related wear and tear, the contrast levels here aren't quite as smooth with less refined shadow detail. But this is still a five-star effort, all things considered: Rachel and the Stranger is another forgotten classic never officially released on Region 1 DVD so, for die-hard fans, this fully restored and uncut Blu-ray will represent a quantam leap forward in video quality.