Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		2.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		2.5

Compañeros Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 9, 2014

Sergio Corbucci's "Companeros" (1970 arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's Italian-language version, "Vamos a Matar, Companeros"; original trailers; video interviews with Franco Nero, Tomas Milian, and Ennio Morricone; and audio commentary featuring journalists C. Courtney Joyner and Henry Parke. In English or Italian, with optional English, French, and Spanish subtitles. Region-Free.

The Swede

A charming Swedish arms trader named Yodlaf Peterson (Franco Nero, Querelle, Keoma) arrives in Mexico to seal a deal with the corrupt General Mongo (Jose Bodalo, Django). But before he meets him in the quiet town of San Bernardino, the Swede is nearly killed by his wild right-hand man, Vasco (Tomas Milian, Tepepa, Almost Human).

Mongo and the Swede shake hands, but it turns out that the money for the deal is locked in a bank safe. When the Swede attempts to crack the safe and fails, Mongo offers to help him find the only man that knows the code that can open it, Professor Xantos (Fernando Rey, That Obscure Object of Desire, Viridiana), an influential revolutionary leader and presidential candidate imprisoned in Texas. Mongo then orders Vasco to escort the Swede to the U.S., get Xantos out of jail, and bring him back to Mexico.

The Swede and Vasco head to Texas, but their journey proves a lot more dangerous than initially expected. First Mexican and American soldiers repeatedly attempt to capture them, and later on the Swede’s former partner, John (Jack Palance, Contempt, Monte Walsh), emerges and decides to settle an old score.

Sergio Corbucci completed Companeros in 1970, only two years after the cult favorite The Great Silence, but the two films could not be any more different. The latter is notably moody, cynical and disturbing, while the former is very energetic and unapologetically optimistic, blending action and comedy to perfection.

Companeros works as well as it does because of two simple reasons. The first is the outstanding chemistry between its two stars, Nero and Milian. Throughout the film the men constantly challenge each other and in the process create an atmosphere that is far more attractive than the plot. Once they are dispatched to free the professor and bring him back to San Bernardino, it is fairly easy to figure out how their journey would end. In other words, the only surprises occur during a streak of temporary triumphs and failures that bring the two men closer.

The second reason is Corbucci and cinematographer Alejandro Ulloa’s ability to effectively capture nature’s beauty without unnecessarily prolonging the film. There are numerous fantastic panoramic shots, for instance, but they do not affect the rhythm of the film. Yet another outstanding score by the legendary Ennio Morricone is also effectively utilized to support these visuals and infuse the film with a distinctive spaghetti-western flavor.

In addition to Nero and Millian, Ray and Palance also leave lasting impressions. Both have very different acting styles that work very well for the characters they play. The latter, in particular, is very entertaining as the wicked mercenary. The beautiful German actress Iris Berben (Killer Condom) plays a very young revolutionary.

Blue Underground’s release features two versions of film: the English-language version, Companeros, which runs at approximately 155 minutes (01.55.01), and the Italian-language version, Vamos a Matar, Companero, which runs at approximately 199 minutes (01.59.18). The majority of the actors spoke their lines in English.

Compañeros Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Sergio Corbucci's Companeros arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground.

Please note that Blue Underground's release features two versions of the film:

1. Companeros (English-language version): 01.55.00.
2. Vamos a Matar, Companeros (Italian-language version): 01.59.18.

There are traces of light to moderate filtering throughout the entire film. Unsurprisingly, many close-ups appear very flat (see screencaptures #9 and 15). During larger panoramic shots clarity is also problematic and in many cases during zooms there is prominent smearing (see screencaptures #7 and 16). The partially good news is that colors are stable and natural -- or at least they appear to be in areas where the filtering has not seriously affected the integrity of the image. There are no traces of problematic sharpening adjustments. Lastly, overall image stability is excellent. All in all, the film does not have a stable organic appearance. Viewers with larger than 50' screens and especially those with projectors will be especially disappointed with the technical presentation. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Compañeros Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The English-language version of the film comes with English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track (Mono), while the Italian-language version of the film comes with Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track (Mono). For the record, Blue Underground have provided optional yellow English, English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The French and Spanish subtitles are only available for the English-language version.

Ennio Morricone's lively score easily breathes in all the right places. The shootouts also boast good clarity and depth. The dialog is clean, stable and easy to follow. Background hiss is not an issue of concern, but there are a few areas where some careful attenuation work can be done. There are no pops, audio dropouts, or digital distortions to report in this review.

Compañeros Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• International Trailer - original international trailer for Companeros. Music only. (3 min, 1080p).

• International Trailer - original Italian trailer for Companeros. Music only. (3 min, 1080p).

• TV Spot #1 - original TV spot for Companeros. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).

• TV Spot #2 - original TV spot for Companeros. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).

• Poster & Still Gallery - a collection of original posters, lobby cards, VHS/DVD covers, LP sleeve, and CD covers compiled by Gregory Chick.

• In the Company of Companeros - in this video program, actors Franco Nero and Tomas Milian discuss their contribution to Companeros and Sergio Corbucci's directing style. The great Ennio Morricone also recalls how he created the soundtrack for the film (using elements from a Gregorian chant). In English and Italian, with imposed English subtitles for the interview with Ennio Morricone. (17 min, 1080p).

• Audio Commentary - in this audio commentary, journalists C. Courtney Joyner and Henry Parke spend a great deal of time discussing the funding of Companeros, its visual style, Sergio Corbucci's directing style (and its maturation after the director's transition from horror productions to Euro-westerns), the key relationships in the film and the more prominent political overtones, etc.

Compañeros Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It is very unfortunate that Sergio Corbucci's Companeros does not look as good as it should. It is a wonderful, very entertaining film with terrific performances from Franco Nero, Tomas Milian, and Jack Palance, complimented by yet another masterful soundtrack courtesy of the great Ennio Morricone. I truly hope that Blue Underground will find a way to improve the quality of their releases as they are the only company in the U.S. that cares to bring these types of films to Blu-ray. The best I can do is recommend that you RENT Companeros.