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Roy “Mad Dog” Earle (Humphrey Bogart) has just left prison and returned to the free world, but not because he has served his time. No, he was broken out by an old associate and his freedom comes with a price. As soon as he reaches freedom, he is told of a scheme to rob a bank and of course, he is asked to be involved. At one time, he wouldn’t have hesitated to sign up, but times have changed since he was locked up. The others in the plan aren’t the kind of men he remembers, as these younger gangsters lack the substance of his old buddies.
As such, he finds no real connection to the men or the plot, but since he was broken out of prison, he feels an obligation of sorts. He has a desire to leave his criminal ways behind, but he also has that inner burn to test the law and tempt danger.
As the plan continues to be fine tuned, Earle finds himself a love interest, though Pat (Joan Leslie) is a young girl of half his own age. He also spends some time with Marie (Ida Lupino), who has been through the same kind of experiences in her own life. The time soon comes to carry out the robbery, but things go haywire and a man winds up murdered. This spurs Earle to make a run for the Sierras, where he tries to keep one step ahead of the law. Can he escape from his secluded hiding place and when the chips are down, which of his loves will remain loyal?

Director: Raoul Walsh
Cast: Ida Lupino, Humphrey Bogart, Alan Curtis, Arthur Kennedy, Joan Leslie, Henry Hull, Henry Travers, Jerome Cowan, Minna Gombell, Barton MacLane, Elisabeth Risdon, Cornel Wilde
Country: USA
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Film-Noir, Thriller, Western

2xBD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:39:56, 01:34:30 | 43.8 Gb, 45 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

The Criterion Collection brings "High Sierra" to Blu-ray, with an excellent 1080p presentation sourced from a 4K restoration of the film's 100-minute cut from the original 1941 release. When the film was re-released in 1948, it was cut down to 95 minutes, but Criterion has restored the original version for release here using the best source materials.

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• W.R. Burnett - this brand new video essay is part of an oral history of author W.R. Burnett by writer Dennis L. White for the American Film Institute. The essay, which was created in 2020, features content that was recorded in Marina Del Rey, California, in March 1976. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Bogart: Here's Looking at You, Kid - this archival documentary examines the life and legacy of Humphrey Bogart. It features archival footage and interviews with Lauren Bacall, screenwriter Julius Epstein, film historian Robert Sklar, biographer Joe Hyams, and director John Huston, amongst others. The documentary was produced as part of the television series The South Bank Show in 1997. In English, not subtitled. (52 min).

• Curtains for Roy Earle - this archival program takes a closer look at the classic gangster films that were made at Warner Bros., Humphrey Bogart's relationship with the studio and career, and the production history of High Sierra. The program was produced in 2003. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Willie Best - in this new program, critic Miriam J. Petty discusses actor Willie Best. It was produced for Criterion in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• The Screen Guild Theater - this radio adaptation of High Sierra was original broadcast on The Screen Guild Theater on April 17, 1944, and stars Humphrey Bogart and Ida Lupino. In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• Trailer - vintage trailer for High Sierra. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• Colorado Territory - Raoul Walsh directed this terrific western, which is frequently described as a loose remake of High Sierra, in 1949. But it is not that kind of a film. While W.R. Burnett's novel is cited as an inspiration for it as well, not only does it move the original story in a completely different era, but alters significant portions of it as well. It features a wildly talented cast, including Joel McCrea, Virginia Mayo, Dorothy Malone, Henry Hull, John Archer, and James Mitchell. The film has been remastered from the original 35mm camera negative. In English, with optional English subtitles. Audio: LPCM 1.0. (95 min/1080p).

• The True Adventures of Raoul Walsh - this documentary examines the life and career of Raoul Walsh in Hollywood. It features clips from interviews with Peter Bogdanovich, actors Illeana Douglas and Jane Russell, film historian Norman Klein, and film critic Leonard Maltin, amongst others. The documentary was produced by Marilyn Ann Moss in 2019. In English, not subtitled. (96 min).

• Dave Kehr and Farran Smith Nehme - in this new program, film programmer Dace Kehr and critic Farran Smith Nehme discuss the work of Raoul Walsh. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).