Gunman's Walk Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Gunman's Walk Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 14, 2016

Phil Karlson's "Gunman's Walk" (1958) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Swiss label Explosive Media. The only bonus feature on the disc is a gallery with original promotional materials for the film. In English or German, with optional English or German subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Brothers

Lee Hackett (Van Heflin, 3:10 to Yuma) is an aging rancher who has made a name for himself after years of working hard in the West. In the nearby town everyone knows him and when he speaks people always stop to hear what he has to say.

Lee has two sons that help him run the ranch. The older one, Ed (Tab Hunter, That Kind of Woman), sees him as a role model and never misses an opportunity to show that he is as tough as his father. But Ed’s sharp tongue and forceful personality frequently get him in trouble not only with Lee’s competitors, but also with folks who have never had a reason to dislike him. Lee knows it, but because he loves Ed too much he never confronts him. The younger son, Davy (James Darren, The Tijuana Story), frequently disagrees with Lee’s orders but does his best to hide his frustration. This becomes particularly difficult for Davy when Ed sides with Lee to make him realize that he is actually the one that has to change his views.

A silly rivalry between Ed and a biracial cowboy places Lee in an incredibly difficult situation. Ed forces the cowboy off of a cliff and after he dies the local sheriff jails him. Lee then tries to use his influence to get Ed released, but crucial statements from two Indians create an even bigger drama in the small town as racial tensions escalate. In the ensuing chaos, Davy also openly confronts Lee and makes him question his tolerance for Ed’s dangerous behavior.

Phil Karlson completed Gunman’s Walk in the same year Delmer Davies directed Cowboy, and while it is almost certainly a coincidence, these two films see the West in a very similar way -- as a beautiful but unforgiving place where men, old and young, are routinely forced to learn from their mistakes and reevaluate their lives.

There are two crucial mistakes that define the entire film. The first is Lee’s reluctance to discipline Ed and make him realize that his aggressive personality is slowly creating too many enemies around him. So even though Ed is unafraid to openly confront anyone that might dislike him, he is completely unaware that he has become a walking target, and that it is only his father’s reputation that is keeping him out of trouble. So Lee is actually directly responsible for his son’s downfall. The second mistake is Davy’s decision to avoid open confrontation with his father and Ed, or at least until it is already too late.

The film certainly has the classic western vibe, but it also has a social awareness that still makes it relevant today. Its point that the law always serves best those in power, in particular, is yet another reminder that the more things change, the more they remain the same.

The screenplay is from Frank Nugent, who adapted an original story by Ric Hardman. Nugent collaborated with John Ford on such classic westerns as The Quiet Man, The Searchers, Fort Apache, and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.

Gunman's Walk Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.55:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Phil Karlson's Gunman's Walk arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Explosive Media.

The release was apparently sourced from a master that was prepared by Sony Pictures/Columbia Pictures. It is not a new one, but for the most part the film looks rather decent in high-definition. The larger panoramic footage exhibits some softness and depth isn't optimal, but there are no traces of recent compromising digital corrections. For me this also makes a big difference because now that displays are getting bigger and a lot of folks also like to use projectors the difference between a manipulated transfer and an older but nice organic transfer can be immediately spotted. So even though here there is plenty of room for important improvements, the transfer still works quite well because certain organic qualities have been retained. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player or PS3 regardless of your geographical location).

Gunman's Walk Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and German LPCM 2.0. Optional English and German subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The audio is surprisingly good. Whenever the master was prepared, it must have been fully remastered because depth is very good and there is no background hiss, crackle, pops, or other serious age-related imprecations. The dialog is clean, stable, and very easy to follow.

Gunman's Walk Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Gallery - a collection of original promotional materials for Gunman's Walk. With music.(3 min).

• Cover - reversible cover.

Gunman's Walk Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Phil Karlson's Gunman's Walk is a solid western from the Sony Pictures/Columbia Pictures vaults that is currently available on Blu-ray only via Swiss label Explosive Media. It is well acted and lensed, and my feeling is that it will appeal to folks who enjoy Delmer Davies' westerns. There is room for improvement, but the film looks good in high-definition. RECOMMENDED.