Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Dakota Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 31, 2017

1945’s “Dakota” isn’t remembered as a particular bright spot in the massive filmography of screen legend John Wayne, but for a man who rarely turned down anything, it’s a surprisingly buoyant western that gives the actor a chance to be more playful than his average steely ways. Director Joseph Kane (a seasoned genre helmer) provides a journeyman touch to the picture, but his professionalism serves it well, creating an amusing romp with Wayne and co-star Vera Ralston. While it doesn’t offer anything new to the western tradition, its meat-and-potatoes approach is agreeable, keeping the chases, clashes, and banter rolling along.

Wayne stars as Devlin, a professional gambler caught up in love with Sandra (Ralston), who’s trying to escape her father, Marko (Hugo Hass), a railroad tycoon. The couple makes their way to Fargo, soon tangled up in schemes that relieve them of their nest egg, caught in local troubles between outlaws and scoundrels. Again, the plot is somewhat routine, inspiring Kane to keep the proceedings exciting, staging action on stagecoaches, a riverboat, and around town, also dealing with angry, duplicitous men. Comedy is broad, coming in the form of Walter Brennen as Captain Bounce, a goofy creation meant to lighten the effort with slapstick. While some period unpleasantness with racial stereotypes is unfortunate, “Dakota” manages to be lighthearted, while Ralston adds enormous energy to the feature.

Dakota Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers "Dakota" to HD with a functional viewing experience, though it's not a stunning representation of the 1945 effort. Detail is passable for period cinematography, and softness remains, making fine detail sometimes difficult to pick out. Textures on costuming are rare but welcome, and Midwestern expanse is handled adequately. Whites sometimes register a bit too bloomy, but delineation is acceptable. Grain is filmic. Source is in relatively fine shape considering the feature's age, with some scratches and speckling detected throughout, and a few jumpy frames.

Dakota Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is surprisingly alert, offering a somewhat clear and inviting listening experience that concentrates primarily on dialogue exchanges, which preserve comedic and tough guy intent. Scoring hits some shrill highs, but stays mostly even and supportive, emphasizing bulldozing action when necessary. Sound effects are adequate, offering some speeding stagecoach rumble and snappy gunshots.

Dakota Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features western historian Toby Roan.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Dakota Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Dakota" concludes with an extended action sequence that included fisticuffs, shootouts, and a large-scale, sky-blackening wheat field fire that may have personally inspired current climate change woes. And there's Wayne, who does what he does without fuss, confidently taking and receiving punches, giving "Dakota" some brawn to go with its jovial adventuring.