The Film (2/5)

While on their honeymoon, newlyweds Trevor and Stella Stevenson (Ralph Meeker and Janice Rule) stop to enjoy the wonderful weather of Acapulco. Trevor is a former World War 2 soldier who has started to become famous as a painter. While walking the beach alone, Trevor meets a beautiful woman and asks if he can paint her. Returning later that night with no memory, things start to get strange, when the young woman is found murdered. The Police captain on the case is Mr. Monteros (Paul Henreid, also the film's director) and despite falling for Stella is hot on the case.

A WOMAN'S DEVOTION (1956) is a sad misfire of a noir thriller. Coming from Republic Pictures, who were famous for their film serials and Westerns, this colorful noir is an eye full of wonder, but the plot itself and pacing are dreadfully slow.  Wikipedia lists the film's original title as ACAPULCO, which is fitting due to the movie's picturesque setting. It also happens to be the main reason to seek this title out.

The movie's other strong point is a lively score from Les Baxter. Baxter is mainly known to cult movie fans for his work on several of The Roger Corman AIP Poe pictures like HOUSE OF USER, and alternative US cuts of Mario Bava's GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (1963, known in the us as EVIL EYE) and BLACK SUNDAY. The score here is dreamlike and matches the locations perfectly.

In terms of cast, Ralph Meeker (KISS ME DEADLY) is miscast as the painter husband, who is later revived to have some trauma from his war experience. Here Meeker is stuck with a bad script and spends most of the film's runtime sleeping or in a wild daze. The most irritating section of the movie is the back and forth with Rule and Henreid over speaking to her husband. It almost becomes comical how often she lies her way out. And speaking of the script, there really isn't much of a mystery to be seen. 

The stand out in the cast is the ever watchable Henreid (CASABLANCA, THE SCAR), but he alone can't save the film. The action set pieces, the few of them we see, are awkward and unexciting. The biggest issue with the movie is it's dated and laughable look at PTSD. It's a serious matter for many solders or former solders, and here it's shown as random mania. Meeker playing it more like LSD.

Audio/Video (4/5)

The film comes with an English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track. The sound is muffled in a few key spots. Most of the film is clear as day but the volume jumps around randomly. So, a few sections are hard to hear. There are no subtitles offered.

The 1080p HD transfer is the biggest highlight of this disc. Sourced from a new 4K restored print, A WOMAN'S DEVOTION Looks out of this world. The colors are crisp and simply land you in 1950's Acapulco. The reds, greens, and blues look mouthwatering in some shots. The level of detail seen on character's faces is another highlight. It one of the best looking of Republic movies.

Extras (2/5)

Extras are limited to a trailer gallery featuring 23 PACES TO BAKER STREET, NIGHT PEOPLE, A KISS BEFORE DYING, and FOREIGN INTRIGUE.

Overall (2/5)

While the locations are dreamy, A WOMAN'S DEVOTION put me to sleep with its uninspired plot and execution. The movie is slow and entertaining as paint drying. But the cast and this 4K Transfer make it worth at least one viewing. For Die hard noir fans only.