Pressure Point (1962) Blu-ray Review

In 1958 Stanley Kramer directed Sidney Poitier along with Tony Curtis in one amazing film entitled The Defiant Ones. Just 4 short years later in 1962 Kramer would produce Pressure Point. And when he was looking for a great actor to lead this production he looked no further than Sidney Poitier.

Pressure Point was released on Blu-ray a few years ago. But Olive Films have went out of business and that release is no longer in print. Never fear MGM has come to the rescue. As we are now looking at the 62nd year of this films release. 

Synopsis: A prison psychiatrist (the legendary Sidney Poitier) is charged with treating a hate-filled young man (Bobby Darin), and as he probes the patient's nightmares, he realizes that the boy's twisted visions masks a lust for unspeakable violence.

Pressure Point is directed by Hubert Cornfield with the amazing eye catching visuals by cinematographer Ernest Haller. The exceptional score by Ernest Gold really enhances this film! Sidney Poitier is tremendous here (but I haven't seen a bad performance by him). But the entire cast is great here from Columbo himself Peter Falk to the great Bobby Darin. And the exceptional supporting cast, Carl Benton Reid, Mary Munday, Howard Caine, Gilbert Green, Barry Gordon, Richard Bakalyan and Lynn Loring.

Stanley Kramer films are always known for their progressiveness and this Kramer produced film is no different! To see how mental health and psychiatric affairs are handled in the early sixties in this film. Far ahead of it's time. Also it is interesting to note no one has a name in this film. We just know them as doctor, patient, chief medical officer, tavern owner ect.

MGM have transferred this film to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in 1.66:1 widescreen aspect ratio. Audio is an English DTS-HD MA 2.0. And there is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, always a plus.

Sidney Poitier as the Doctor in Pressure Point

Now I must say when looking at this film in HD on this Blu-ray. I was thoroughly impressed with how crisp and clean it truly looks. The black and white picture really pops here. There is no signs of damage I could see and no digital artifacts either. The audio is clear as a bell and you can really appreciate Ernest Gold's score.

Now for me what enhances the Blu-ray experience here is the bonus features. I love featurettes, audio commentaries, ect. Well, sadly there are no bonuses on this Blu-ray. But before we are to harsh with MGM, the previous Olive Films Blu-ray release only had a trailer as a bonus feature. 

If you love the films of Sidney Poitier you really need Pressure Point in your collection. And this Blu-ray from MGM is a great way to have it. Head over to Moviezyng.com and order your copy today!

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) the MGM Blu-ray of Pressure Point receives....