'The Paradine Case' is lesser known and unpopular Hitchcock's film, and although it is better than one can assume based on reviews, but it definitely can't hold the candle compares with better movies from the 'Master of Suspense'. Alfred Hitchcock wrote the screenplay together with his wife Alma Reville before bringing playwright James Bridieto do polishing. Producer David O. Selznick wasn't satisfied and did lot of rewrites, usually rushing the new material on the set before shooting. That caused many clashes between Hitchcock and Selznick, and 'The Paradine Case' remained the last movie these two ever worked together. Hitchcock wasn't very passionate about the film anyway, so now we have this film that somehow is but it isn't. The skillful directing is there, but the story, although occasionally engaging, seems all over the place. Some scenes at the trial are outrageously ludicrous, like the breakdowns Louis Jourdan's and Gregory Peck's characters. Gregory Peck himself, who clearly tried his best, still felt out of place, and there was no real chemistry between him and Alida Valli to turn their relationship into fiery romance, but it was rather hissing balloon. Absolutely fantastic performances came from supporting cast, especially Charles Laughton, Ann Todd and Louis Jourdan to name a few.It is not bad movie, as the premise is interesting, the cast is great (although Gregory Peck and Alida Valli are clearly miscast, their performances alone aren't bad), the screenplay is too meandering, but besides those couple of really ridiculous moments it offers magnificent scenes (acting/writing/directing all perfect). 'The Paradine Case' is definitely worth to watch, even if it is one of the most 'hit and miss' movie of great Alfred Hitchcock.

It's London in the recent past. Barrister Anthony Keane (Gregory Peck) takes on the case of Maddalena Paradine (Alida Valli). She's accused of poisoning her blind war hero husband. Keane is happily married to Gay (Ann Todd) but everybody warns them of falling under the Italian beauty's spell. Despite the warning, he does exactly that. He becomes convinced of her innocence and suspects foul play by the valet Latour.The big names of Peck and Hitchcock demanded a viewing. This was produced and written by David O. Selznick. It's the last movie of which Hitchcock was under contract to Selznick. The filming is technically superior. There are interesting attempts and no expense was spared but the characters are one-dimensional despite the quality cast. Keane is unbearably naive especially for an experienced defense lawyer. It's all written like a bad romance novel. The acting including Peck can get overwrought which is par for the course. This is not anybody's finest hour.

Before I get to the film itself, I want to speak about the new Kino-Lorber Blu-Ray edition (2017). This is the worst transfer to disc of any film I own in my approximately 500 title DVD/Blu-Ray library. I have homemade discs of old films taken off of television that are in better condition. While there are a few scenes (or I might more accurately say parts of scenes) where the transfer is decent, they are few and far between. At first I thought my Blu-Ray player was broken. But no. It's the transfer production. I won't say the film is unwatchable, but darned close. I will throw the disc away after tonight's viewing.But then again, there's not much to enjoy here. Hitchcock and Selznick. Just the thought of those two working together ought to guarantee a success. Bat alas, no.First of all some problems with the cast. Two great character actors -- Charles Coburn and Ethel Barrymore -- totally wasted here. Totally.On the other hand, Louis Jourdan turns in quite a good performance in his first American film.Gregory Peck is, to me, one of the finest American actors. Here he just seems okay. In fact, maybe that's the problem with this film. Much about it is just "okay". How can such a stellar cast and stellar director and producer come up with such a flat film?

I've always been a Hitchcock fan but have put off watching this for several years as I had read the plot summary and some reviews and was wary of being disappointed. Finally giving into my worries, I confirm here and now that I was not wrong in my belief that I would be left sorry for the experience. It's a dour mess. The story makes no sense whatsoever. NONE of the characters are in the least sympathetic. The conflicts of interest between judge and jury and legal council are unbelievable. It's sad that a film starring Peck and Laughton and Coburn and Barrymore could result in something SO unsatisfying. I had to watch THE BIRDS immediately afterward to regain my sense of Hitchcock equilibrium.