Framed Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Framed Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 15, 2026

Phil Karlson's "Framed" (1975) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include new program with critic Nick Pinkerton; new audio commentary by critic Will Sloan; and vintage trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

In the internet era, underappreciated is a term that has essentially lost its meaning. It is used as frequently as classic, which is now irreversibly transformed into a completely random, useless term. However, just a few decades ago, underappreciated and classic would have been the ideal terms to describe Phil Karlson and several of the films he directed.

Karlson stepped behind the camera in the early 1940s and, over the next three decades, directed more than forty feature films, a few of which are legitimate classics of their genres. For example, Kansas City Confidential (1952) and 99 River Street (1953) are widely considered two of the all-time greatest film noirs. Those with proper knowledge of the spy spoof genre also consider The Silencers (1966) and The Wrecking Crew (1968) to be among the very best of their kind. Walking Tall (1973) is routinely ranked among the top vigilante action films. Unfortunately, Karlson is rarely named with Don Siegel, Sam Peckinpah, and Robert Aldrich, whose filmographies feature numerous equally great films that are legitimate classics of their genres.

Somewhat ironically, Karlson’s final film, Framed, is also very easy to describe as an underappreciated classic. It reunites Karlson with the great Texan Joe Don Baker, who this time plays a desperate man on the opposite side of the law, as well as cinematographer Jack Marta, who lensed Walking Tall.

After winning a large sum of money in a high-stakes poker game in Dallas, Texas, professional gambler Ron Lewis (Baker) returns to his nightclub in Nashville, Tennessee to share the good news with his girlfriend and singer, Susan (Conny Van Dyke). On the way back to his home, Lewis then witnesses a roadside shooting and, at his garage, gets confronted by an unusually aggressive deputy. While trying to protect himself, Lewis kills the deputy, but remains on the scene. In the days ahead, despite plenty of evidence that he could not have been involved in the roadside shooting, and that during the brawl with the deputy he was fighting for his life, Lewis is framed by Sheriff Mario Morello (Warren J. Kemmerling) and his corrupt personal lawyer, Andrew Ney (Joshua Bryant), as a dangerous shady gambler and handed a long prison sentence. His money from the high-stakes poker game is stolen, and his girlfriend is warned by armed men not to seek help from any of the area’s best private detectives, too.

While in prison, Lewis agrees to play cards for mob boss Sal Viccarrone (John Marley) and his sidekick, Vince Greeson (Gabriell Dell), a professional hitman, and they quickly become good friends. Four years later, Lewis gets out and goes to work to figure out why he was framed. However, when Greeson reappears at his home and reveals that he has been hired to off him, Lewis phones Vicarronne to take care of his contract so that he can continue playing detective.

Thematically and stylistically, Framed and Walking Tall are very similar films. Also, despite playing unique characters, Baker dominates both in a very similar manner. This is why over the years some critics have described the two as Southern-fried film noirs.

But they are proper macho vigilante thrillers, with a proper big star who was ideal for these genre films in the 1970s. Karlson was an ideal director to do both as well. They share a very particular unfiltered energy, giving them their identity and, as odd as it may sound, making the quality of their screenplays appear irrelevant. Such macho vigilante thrillers are no longer made.

It must be said that the supporting cast is outstanding as well. Marley, Dell, Brock Peters, Paul Mantee, and Roy Jenson are members of a crew of reliable pros that can easily be compared to the ones that consistently made Peckinpah’s films from the same period memorable.

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Framed arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

The release is sourced from an older master that produces decent, at times even good, but dated visuals. It is very easy to tell that, if properly restored in 2K or 4K, Framed can and will look significantly better. However, on a large screen, most of these visuals still reveal plenty of good detail and depth. They maintain good density levels as well. Grain exposure can be better. Currently, there is plenty of grain with that slightly powdery appearance that was common on very old masters, prepared during the early days of the DVD era, when some telecine masters were still around. Color reproduction is another area where various meaningful improvements can be made. At the moment, some primaries and supporting nuances are not properly set. Saturation levels are off as well. Small nicks, blemishes, scratches, and marks can be spotted, too. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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

All exchanges are easy to follow. However, I suspect that a proper remastering job will address quite a few unmissable dynamic fluctuations. They are not big and distracting, but they are there and could impact the viewing experience. During the action sequence, dynamic strength and variety are rather good. I am unsure whether they can be improved because the original soundtrack has some unmissable limitations as well.

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for Framed. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).

• Legacy of Brutality - in this new program, writer and critic Nick Pinkerton discusses Phil Karlson ad Joe Don Baker's careers and legacies, as well as the brand of cinema they are remembered for. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by author and critic Will Sloan.

Framed Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Whether described as Southern-fried film noir or vigilante thriller, Phil Karlson's final film, Framed, is a legitimate classic of its genre, very easy to compare to its more popular predecessor, Walking Tall, as well as several other great films from the 1970s directed by Don Siegel, Sam Peckinpah, and Robert Aldrich. In other words, it is the kind of macho film that can no longer be seen at the cinema. It is great that it is available on Blu-ray. However, I would love to see it properly restored in 2K or 4K. RECOMMENDED.