6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 1.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 2.6 |
In 1871 Dakota, two crooked businessmen oppose the local wheat farmers and the railroad development, in order to control the town of Fargo.
Starring: John Wayne, Vera Ralston, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond, Ona MunsonWestern | 100% |
Comedy | 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
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
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.
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.
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" 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.
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