Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Electra Glide in Blue Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 20, 2022

James William Guercio's "Electra Drive in Blue" (1973) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary with writer Robert Boris; exclusive new program with actor Mitchel Ryan; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Drive and keep cool.

In the heart of the Arizona desert, John Wintergreen (Robert Blake) is trying hard to be a good cop. But he is secretly dreaming of becoming a great detective. He is convinced that he has what it takes to be one and all he needs is a chance to prove it.

When the cold body of a local recluse is accidentally discovered, Wintergreen quickly concludes that despite all the evidence suggesting otherwise he could not have committed suicide. At the scene, Wintergreen is ridiculed by the forensic specialist (Royal Dano) that examines the body, but later, in the lab, he is proven right. Immediately after that, veteran detective Harve Poole (Mitchell Ryan), who sees the world around him in black and white, takes him under his wing to teach him the ins and outs of the profession. Wintergreen then begins following Poole like a little puppy and absorbs every single word that comes out of his mouth. When alone at home, Wintergreen even attempts to dress like his new mentor and imitate his manners.

But Poole’s unorthodox, often bigoted working methods quickly erode Wintergreen’s admiration of him and eventually make him realize that he does not want to become his double. While looking for the murderer of the recluse, Wintergreen also becomes frustrated with his partner and best pal, Zipper (Billy Green Bush), who often begins to remind him of Poole. As enough evidence is gathered to identify the murderer, Wintergreen reevaluates his work ethic and discovers that he too could be a much better cop and man.

Inspired by a true event that took place in the Phoenix area in the early ‘70s, Electra Glide in Blue remains the one and only film James William Guercio directed, scored, and produced. This is a great shame because it is a masterful piece of Americana and undoubtedly one of the greatest films of the ‘70s.

The true event is essentially a ruse that is used to brilliantly capture the zeitgeist of an era and the social polarization that defined it. (Sadly, a much more intense variation of this exact same social polarization is now once again a fact of life). Instead of providing a commentary on its existence, however, Electra Glide in Blue shifts its main protagonist’s point of view -- and in the process that of its audience -- multiple times and produces a wide range of thought-provoking contrasts.

Another classic film from the same era that produces similar thought-provoking contrasts is Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, but its attitude and objective are different. Easy Rider channels the counterculture take on the American Dream and effectively satirizes the ‘other side’ that does not share it. Electra Glide in Blue does not take sides. It cuts open the reality of its protagonist and then leaves it to the audience to examine what has come out of it.

The most striking quality of Electra Glide in Blue is its effortless accommodation of vast areas of gray in its drama. Every single character in this film is flawed, but not in that familiar way that enriches scripted cinematic drama and produces plenty of black and white. These are genuine human flaws that make us vulnerable, easy to manipulate, and of course willing to do bad things.

Guercio struck gold when Blake revealed that he was dying to play the conflicted cop because without him Electra Glide in Blue unquestionably would have been a very different film. It is not just his physical appearance that is unique and crucial for various sequences to work. His personality is perfect for the part, too. The entire supporting cast, and Ryan in particular, deserves high praise as well.

The great cinematographer Conrad Hall captures the beauty of the scorching Arizona desert in some truly breathtaking panoramic shots. Just a couple of years earlier, Hall lensed Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and In Cold Blood.

The pitch-perfect track that is heard at the end, “Tell Me”, is sung by Terry Kath, a member of the classic rock band Chicago.

Electra Glide in Blue Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Electra Glide in Blue arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

Like most collectors, nearly a decade ago I picked up Shout Factory's release of Electra Glide in Blue, which was sourced from a very fine organic master. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master.

The difference in quality between the two releases isn't dramatic. In fact, there are plenty of areas where the visuals look extremely similar. Gran exposure is slightly better, but with proper optimizations, the previous release could have looked very strong as well. Close-ups and wide panoramic shots with plenty of natural light typically look very nice, so on a big screen, there is plenty to see and appreciate. Footage with controlled lighting has some dark spots that could have been managed better because some nuances are not properly exposed, but it has to be said that the original cinematography produces some quite heavy shadows as well. (The shakiest sequence is the one where Robert Blake gathers the courage to confront Harve Poole while deconstructing the entire murder case before him). There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. Color balance is very good, but as noted above, a few of the darkest areas could have looked more convincing. Image stability is good. I noticed plenty of tiny nicks and even a few blemishes, but there are no distracting large cuts, debris, warped, or torn frames to report. All in all, this release offers a solid organic presentation of the film while retaining its native appearance. (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).

Electra Glide in Blue 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. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I did not encounter any issues to report in our review. The audio was very clear, sharp, and stable. The dialog was very easy to follow, too. Dynamic intensity is good, but there are quite a few organic sounds and noises that flood the soundtrack, so even though there is intense action footage, there are inconsistencies. The upper register was healthy.

Electra Glide in Blue Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview with Actor Mitchel Ryan - in this exclusive new program, Mitchel Ryan discusses the character he played in Electra Glide in Blue, the themes and tone of the film, and what it was like to work with director James William Guercio, Robert Blake, and the rest of the cast. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Interview with Screenwriter Robert Boris - in this exclusive new program, screenwriter Robert Boris recalls how many years ago he ended up in Phoenix and heard the true story that inspired him to write the screenplay for Electra Glide in Blue. Mr. Boris also discusses the film and explains why he thinks it works so well. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Introduction by James William Guercio - in this archival program, quickly recalls how he fell in love with cinema and what inspired him to shoot Electra Glide in Blue as well as what makes the film special and why he is proud of it. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Commentary One - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by screenwriter Robert Boris and moderated by film historian Alex Van Dyne (manager of Eddie Brandt's Saturday Matinee). This is a very rich commentary with plenty of information about Mr. Boris' screenplay for Electra Glide in Blue and its transition to the big screen, the structuring of different portions of the original story, the transformation of Robert Blake's character, the sense of irony the film represents, etc.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by director/composer/producer James William Guercio. I think that this is clearly the better of the two commentaries. Mr. Guercio provides an in-depth analysis of the technical construction of Electra Glide in Blue but also its themes and his exact motivation to do it. Also, there are plenty of very interesting, and in my opinion absolutely true, observations about the exact time period in which the film emerged as well as the work of policemen and the risks they take on a daily basis.

• Publicity Materials -
  
  1. Trailer
  2. TV Spot
  3. Radio Spot

• Cover - a reversible cover with vintage poster art for Electra Glide in Blue.

Electra Glide in Blue Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It is sad that virtually all aspects of the drama that is depicted in Electra Glide in Blue are relevant again. In fact, they are much bigger factors in our society now than they were during the '70s. This is why Electra Glide in Blue hits so hard and leaves an indelible impression. I think that it is one of the great American films of the '70s and in some ways even better than Easy Rider, though unfortunately, it does not enjoy the same reputation. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release is sourced from a fine new 4K master, but Electra Glide in Blue should have been meticulously cleaned up and considered for a 4K Blu-ray release. Regardless, it belongs in every serious collection. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.