6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railroad must fight fur trappers who oppose the building of the railroad by stirring up Indian rebellion.
Starring: Randolph Scott (I), Jane Wyatt, J. Carrol Naish, Victor Jory (I), Nancy OlsonWestern | 100% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
History | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Big skies and deep mountains dominate 1949’s “Canadian Pacific,” which stars Randolph Scott as a surveyor caught up in railroad development tensions, villainous schemes, and the passions of two women. It’s period entertainment that trusts in pronounced emotions and action, making for a pleasingly traditional take on heroes and villains, but with an outdoorsy, pioneer atmosphere that offers escapism flavored with historical events.
The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation is an unusual situation, delivering "Canadian Pacific" with an extensive restoration striving to return to the feature's original CineColor exhibition standards. A text-based introduction fully explains the viewing experience to come (including a brief moment at the end of the picture that's in black and white), making it clear just how much time and effort went into the endeavor. Damage is present through scratches, but severity is muted, finding the movie delivering bright, relatively clear adventuring with encouraging detail, helping to explore grand locations and performance nuance. Colors are revived to satisfaction, leading with heavier reds and blues, preserving slightly unreal but cinematic hues. Delineation is secure. Grain is filmic.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is also prefaced with an explanation of source limitations, and hiss is quite pronounced during the listening event, even after efforts to minimize age-related issues. The track is far from precise, but it's perfectly acceptable, handling dialogue exchanges adequately. Scoring is also restrained, but mood is understood. Again, this isn't an ideal audio experience, but the restoration team does a fine job massaging quality out of damage.
Matching the effort's scale are performances, which dig into distinct characterization, delivering personality. Scott leads with defined heroism and determination, also offering satisfying chemistry with co-stars Jane Wyatt and Nancy Olson. Acting is a major part of the feature's appeal, mixing well with genre interests including Native American activity (inappropriate depictions, but the norm for the era) and standard matinee villainy. "Canadian Pacific" isn't a historical document, but an exaggerated presentation of railroad construction and industry issues, coming together with cinematic gusto.
1930
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Limited Edition to 3000
1924
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1967
1995
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1940
2K Restoration
1977
1957
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Warner Archive Collection
1950
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1971
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1962
1970