Guns and Guts Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Guns and Guts Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 11, 2022

Director Rene Cardona Jr. wants to make a western with 1974’s “Guns and Guts,” and he spends most the run time trying to reinforce just how much of a western he’s making. There are shoot-outs and card games, town tensions and prostitutes, and the first act of the feature is almost exclusively devoted to watching the actors engage in repeated scenes of fisticuffs. The opening of “Guns and Guts” is often remarkable to behold, as it really feels like the helmer is going to stretch his genre fetishes over the entire production, making for a delightfully simple and amusingly violent viewing experience. Sadly, the picture loses its lust for knuckle sandwiches as something of a story kicks in, though Cardona Jr.’s sheer passion for the cowboy way is worth a sit.

Two outlaws have elected to partner up to kill a shared enemy, making their way to Santa Fe to do so. During the journey, the men encounter local color, discovering another shadowy character and his love of prostitutes. This stranger joins the mission, soon put in charge of gunning down the target, which complicates these lives as they get closer to their destination and the reality of it all starts to become clear.

Character names aren’t provided in “Guns and Guts,” with Cardona Jr. asking viewers to follow faces and personalities as the movie begins. It’s an unorthodox approach, limiting audience involvement, but this isn’t the kind of film that demands emotional involvement. It’s a western, and one that’s incredibly punch-heavy for some time, transforming into a theme park stunt show as characters pound on one another in rooms filled with breakaway objects. It’s a silent free-for-all that’s greatly amusing to watch, hinting at more violent delights to come. Cardona Jr. pulls back on his berserk approach once the men have their mission, changing the tone of “Guns and Guts” to gamesmanship, as the outlaws deal with tests of loyalty and chance, and many poker games are played during the run time.

Guns and Guts Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sourced from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, the AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Guns and Guts" reaches the limitations of the original cinematography. Detail is healthy, exploring the weathered faces of the characters and fibrous costuming. Limited sets are explored in full, and travel sequences are dimensional. Color emerges with authority, showcasing primary power on feminine outfits, and deep browns and blacks are found on the cowboys. Greenery is ideal. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Guns and Guts Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers clear dialogue exchanges, which show signs of age and encounters some sibilance issues, but intelligibility is strong throughout the listening event. Scoring supports as needed, with decent instrumentation for the Morricone-esque music. Sound effects register as intended.

Guns and Guts Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Guns, Guys, and Family" (15:04, HD) is an interview with Rene Cardona III (who sadly passed away in 2021), who explores the making of "Guns and Guts," sharing how his father, director Rene Cardona Jr., was trying to follow the spaghetti western trend, looking to add his own offerings to the growing subgenre. The interviewee offers his boyhood memories of the shoot, recalling a production of "Daniel Boone" was in motion nearby, and he examines his father's stylistic choices, managing limited lenses and lifting from Sam Peckinpah. Casting is assessed (the feature was shot in English), and Cardona III offers his happiness with Blu-ray releases, excited to have his dad's movies rediscovered by a new audience.

Guns and Guts Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Guns and Guts" makes an unwise choice to slow down in the middle act, which isn't necessary with a tale of trust that's been done in possibly hundreds of other westerns. It all leads to a Peckinpah-style bloodbath to send the feature off in a hail of bullets, but nothing tops the opening 30 minutes, which offers wonderful lunacy.