Brazilian Western Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Brazilian Western Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 18, 2014

A pull quote emblazoned across the back cover of Brazilian Western compares this evocative if formulaic drama to Romeo and Juliet, though by the time the film ends and an ever accruing body count reaches bloody heights, some may wonder if there’s at least a bit of Hamlet in the air as well. Evidently culled from an epic rock song called “Faroeste Caboclo” (the original title of the film as well) by the late Brazilian musician Renato Russo, Brazilian Western traffics, as its name implies, in both western tropes as well as a thoroughly Brazilian ambience courtesy of a very evocative soundtrack.

There’s an almost Tarantino-esque feeling to much of Brazilian Western, a film which takes place in the not so distant past with a Brazil emerging from years of dictatorial rule and perhaps as a counterweight having lapsed into a bit of chaotic disorder as a result. Joao (Fabricio Boliveira) may have already met his fate as the story begins (in just one of too many tried and true tropes director René Sampaio tends to utilize), but the story winds back on itself to detail the increasing criminality of the character, due both to his own choices as well as the vagaries of his socioeconomic status. A desperate attempt to better his lot in life only more deeply embroils him in Brazil’s ruthless drug trade, and when he has the misfortune to fall in love with a wealthy young woman named Maria Lúcia (Isis Valverde) who also happens to be lusted after by Joao’s main competition, a vicious thug named Jeremias (Felipe Abib), the stage is set for a traditional showdown. There’s nothing really very innovative in Brazilian Western, but it’s stylish and well performed, and, perhaps appropriately given that pull quote, there’s a certain Shakespearian inexorability to the tragedy that unfolds.

Brazilian Western Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Brazilian Western is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Shout! Factory with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1. Featuring a kind of honey hued ambience that is still astonishingly gritty at times, Brazilian Western often looks great in high definition, especially in close- ups where fine detail really pops. Contrast and color space are intentionally pushed at times here, leading to a somewhat florid looking presentation at times. There are some minor issues with crush in some longer dark sequences, but otherwise this is a problem free presentation that offers excellent clarity and stability.

Brazilian Western Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Brazilian Western features a very forceful DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track in the original Portuguese. Bolstered by a lot of music and robust effects like vivid sounding gunshots, there's a wealth of surround activity on the track, as well as a really fulsome, aggressive low end. Dialogue is cleanly presented and the entire mix is very well prioritized, with no problems of any kind to discuss.

Brazilian Western Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Making of Brazilian Western (1080i; 25:14)


• Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 1:53)


• Teaser Trailer (1080p; 2:06)

Brazilian Western Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It may indeed be true that there's nothing that new under this particular High Noon-ish sun, but Brazilian Western offers some viscerally intense performances and a really interesting examination of several socioeconomic and political issues hobbling Brazil. Technical merits are very strong, and Brazilian Western comes Recommended.