Review: Edge of Eternity
Blu-ray: Edge of Eternity (1959)
When a series of mysterious murders plagues an Arizona ghost town on the edge of the Grand Canyon, Deputy Sherrif Martin (Cornel Wilde) forms an unlikely partnership with playgirl Janice (Victoria Shaw) to investigate. This involves plenty of on location shots in and around the Grand Canyon, all looking suitably magnificent in this upcoming Blu-ray release by Powerhouse Films.
Everything revolves around a plan to steal gold out of a mine that is owned by Janice and her family, then throw in some romance between Janice and Martin, add a generous dollop of murder mystery, and finish with a spectacular 20 minute finale involving a cable car hanging above the canyon and you have a taught thriller directed by the great Don Siegel.
The cast are good, but it is the beautiful scenery that steals the movie thanks to director Don Siegel and director of photography Burnett Guffey. Everything captured in all its splendour in this crisp Blu-ray transfer.
The audio commentary with professor and film scholar Jason A Ney adds new layers of interest ready for a rewatch, while the other special features are well worth going through too.
If you suffer from vertigo, the final scenes may well have you gripping the arms of your couch.
INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
- High Definition remaster
- Original mono audio
- Audio commentary with professor and film scholar Jason A Ney (2025)
- Into the Canyon (2025, 17 mins): writer and academic José Arroyo discusses Edge of Eternity in the context of Don Siegel’s career
- Closer to the Edge (2025, 30 mins): in-depth analysis of the film by Arroyo
- An Australian Cinderella (2025, 17 mins): academic Stephen Morgan discusses the life and career of Australian actor and Columbia contract player Victoria Shaw
- Original theatrical trailer
- Image gallery: promotional and publicity material
- New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Peter Cowie, an archival piece on the making of the film by producer Kendrick Sweet, an extract from Don Siegel’s autobiography, and film credits
- UK premiere on Blu-ray
- Limited edition of 3,000 copies for the UK
Release Date: 20th January 2025.
Review by Dave from a Blu-ray kindly supplied by Powerhouse Films.
