Duel at Diablo Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		2.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Duel at Diablo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 19, 2014

“Duel at Diablo” is based on the Marvin H. Albert novel, “Apache Rising,” which is perhaps why the film version is an ambitious but overwhelmed effort, never secure in its storytelling, even as it tackles some contentious topics. The 1966 picture, directed by Ralph Nelson, is atmospheric, with tremendous Utah locations that provide a sweltering backdrop to the action, and there’s secure star power with actors James Garner and Sidney Poitier, who deliver leathery performances. What’s missing is a point of view, with the screenplay (co-written by Albert) struggling to work out Native American prejudice and villainy, making it difficult to recognize what the movie is trying to communicate.

Following tracker Jess (Garner) as he becomes intertwined with Ellen (Bibi Andersson), a frontier woman kidnapped and assimilated by an Apache tribe, “Duel at Diablo” struggles to grasp identifiable character motivations, cutting corners on subplots that seem vital to the understanding of these unhinged personalities. Jess is hunting for the murders of his Comanche wife, but he’s amenable to the needs of an Army cavalry unit carrying weaponry and supplies, teaming up with wrangler Toller (Poitier) to battle aggressive Apache forces, led by Chata (John Hoyt). The movie treats the Native American presence with a streak of villainy, watching the Army picked off one by one by the antagonists, but there’s also an anguished sense of desperation, with Ellen caught between worlds, protecting a baby (the product of an affair with an Apache), and Jess’s love for his socially rejected wife, leaving racial tensions alert. And yet the screenplay is all too eager to transform the conflict into a “Cowboys and Indians” showdown, diluting whatever interests it has in a nuanced depiction of dual worlds and troubled allegiances.

Duel at Diablo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1:66:1 aspect ratio) presentation sustains the western setting with limited hues, keeping to a color palette that's classic with browns and reds, showing some fatigue. Skintones are natural, preserving levels of exposure. Grain is erratic but unfiltered, providing texture to the viewing experience, while fine detail is satisfactory, bringing out costuming particulars and pained expressions. Black levels are managed adequately, without overt crush. Print is in decent shape, but damage pops up on occasion, while flicker is also present. Transitions bring about softness and other oddities, but they are rare events.

Duel at Diablo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix carries a muddiness that detracts from the listening experience. Dialogue exchanges aren't clean, making some passages difficult to understand, especially when violence kicks in and the chaotic fury of combat, with its tinny yelps and thunderous horse activity, washes away the group dynamic. Shrillness is routine and hiss and pops are constant, while scoring lacks definition, losing ideal instrumentation. The track takes some volume riding to help even out the highs and lows.

Duel at Diablo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (3:08, HD) has been included.

Duel at Diablo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Duel at Diablo" is dark at times, with torture and murder taking over the second half of the film, despite the picture's push to be brawny western escapism. Its sophistication is only half-realized, and while performances bring out refreshing levels of dramatic commitment, the screenplay doesn't always back up such valued dedication.