Coogan's Bluff Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Coogan's Bluff Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 18, 2021

Don Siegel's "Coogan's Bluff" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new video interview with star Don Stroud; exclusive new audio commentary recorded by writer Alan Spencer; archival interview with Clint Eastwood; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The man from Arizona

Arizona Deputy Sheriff Coogan (Clint Eastwood) is dispatched to New York City to bring back dangerous murderer James Ringerman (Don Stroud) who has been detained by the local authorities. Shortly after Coogan gets off the plane, however, Lt. McElroy (Lee J. Cobb) informs him that his man has screwed up with LSD and therefore cannot be transferred to him on previously agreed terms. Perplexed and annoyed by the local bureaucratic machine Coogan takes matters into his own hands and in a matter of hours figures out a way to get Ringerman out of jail, but then loses him and wakes up in a hospital bed. He quickly recovers and goes back out looking for Ringerman, and along the way unexpectedly begins to fall in love with an emotionally available parole officer (Susan Clark).

In the United States, Coogan's Bluff was first released on Blu-ray by Universal Pictures in 2015. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Brian Orndorff's review of this release here.

Coogan's Bluff Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Coogan's Bluff arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

Coogan's Bluff was released on Blu-ray by Universal Pictures in 2015. (You can see our listing and review of the first release here). This recent release is sourced from the same master that was used to produce the first release, which I have in my library.

The master is old but has strong organic qualities. In fact, its basic characteristics are extremely similar to those of the recent 2K master that was prepared for The Valdez Horses. It is healthier and boasts slightly better delineation, but it reveals many similar density and fluidity fluctuations. The visuals have slightly tighter appearance as well, but in healthy areas the difference is mostly insignificant. (The new master for The Valdez Horses was struck from a 35mm print, which isn't an ideal element, so there are a few more limitations there that are avoided on this master). Obviously, grain can be better exposed and resolved, but it is very easy to tell that there are different types of native fluctuations that are inherited. The important point to underscore here is that there are no traces of problematic digital work, which is a common flaw on older masters that emerge from Universal's vaults. The color-grading job is very convincing. There are strong primaries and good ranges of supporting nuances that ensure a solid overall filmic appearance. Image stability is good, but from time to time extremely light unevenness can be spotted. Specks, minor blemishes, and even a few scratches can be seen, but I don't think that they become distracting. All in all, even though there is room for meaningful improvements, I think that the current master for Coogan's Bluff is quite good. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Coogan's Bluff Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio is very good. It is clear and boasting good ranges of dynamic nuances. Lalo Schifrin's score typically produces the best contrasts, but the limitations of the original audio mix are quite obvious. Can the audio sound better? I think that there is a bit of room for improvement. I feel that the audio could be slightly fuller and better rounded, but the current mix is already very strong.

Coogan's Bluff Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Killer is Loose: Interview with Don Stroud - in this exclusive new video interview, Don Stroud recalls how Don Siegel offered him the part of James Ringerman in Coogan's Bluff and discusses his work with Clint Eastwood in New York City, the shooting of the bike chase (which apparently produced a serious injury), Lee J. Cobb's personality and presence before the camera, the film's critical reception and how it redirected his career, etc. Great interview. In English, not subtitled. (9 min).

• Commentary One - in this exclusive new audio commentary, writer Alan Spencer (Sledge Hammer!) discusses the visual appearance of Coogan's Bluff, the on-location shoots in New York and Universal backlots, the nature of the main character arcs, Lalo Schifrin's score and its relationship with the action, etc.

• Commentary Two - an exclusive new audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox.

• Trailers and Radio Spots - in English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Theatrical trailer. (3 min).
  2. Teaser trailer. (1 min).
  3. Radio spot. (1 min).

• Image and Poster Gallery - a large collection of vintage domestic and international promotional materials for Coogan's Bluff. With music. (8 min).

• At Home with Clint - presented here is a vintage video interview with Clint Eastwood. The bulk of the information is about the "real" Clint. This interview was also included on the recent release of Two Mules for Sister Sara. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Cover - reversible cover art with vintage poster art.

• Slipcase - limited edition O-Card slipcase.

Coogan's Bluff Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Coogan's Bluff is routinely described as one of Clint Eastwood's 'smaller' films. I very much disagree with this description. It gets just about everything right -- some of the editing choices in it are a bit rough -- and offers a very solid dose of late '60s action entertainment. How solid? You can almost detect the emergence of Dirty Harry in it, and how Eastwood and Don Siegel are itching to let him loose. Kino Lorber's release of Coogan's Bluff is sourced from an old but good organic master that was supplied by Universal Pictures. It also features a very nice exclusive new video interview with Don Stroud, who plays the baddie that Eastwood's sheriff is trying to bring back to Arizona. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.