Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Hell Bent Blu-ray Movie Review

A must-see early western classic by the great John Ford

Hell Bent is an action-packed Western which is sure to delight fans of the genre with its remarkable sense of style. The classic Universal Pictures production is a must- see classic. The early John Ford feature-film (which is early enough to have been credit under the name of 'Jack Ford') is another worthwhile collaboration between the famous filmmaker and star Harrey Carey (Straight Shooting).

Cheyenne Harry (Harrey Carey) is an outlaw who flees for his life following the dramatic events of a poker game gone wrong. Attempting to start over, Cheyenne Harry eventually finds himself in the small town of Rawhide. It is here that he meets the slick cowboy Cimmaron Bill (Duke Lee) and beautiful vixen Bess Thurston (Neva Gerber), who works as a dancer.

Thinking that action might be at a stand-still, the dramatic events heat up once more for Cheyenne Harry when the ruthless Rawhide gang leader Beau Ross (Joe Harris) kidnaps his new sweet-heart, Bess. A dramatic turn of events in the story, Cheyenne must save-the-day by rescuing his damsel in distress. Will Cheyenne become a hero?

A stunning new 4K restoration.

The silent era filmmaking is surprisingly action-packed and vital for the time-period. To think that the film is over 100 years old is mind-blowing when one considers how exciting the action filmmaking is throughout the production. There are many impressive sequences which seem ahead of their time and still manage to hold up. One can't help but become drawn in to the terrific visuals of cinematographer Ben F. Reynolds (Wanderer of the Wasteland, Vengeance). There are plenty of long-shot takes which pull one in to the cinematic landscape with total ease and paint a genuine picture of the west.

Featuring an original score composed by Zachary Marsh (Children & War, The Meltdown), the music makes the filmmaking much more exciting. The score is an effective backdrop to the action. There are no lulls in the score to take one out of the excitement. Scores can easily make or break the experience of viewing a silent feature so the efforts of Marsh on this production are impressive and up to the task. A commendable job.

Hell Bent features a story by John Ford, Harry Carey, and Eugene B. Lewis. The screenplay was written by director John Ford and Harry Carey (A Knight of the Range, The Master Cracksman). The story is simplistic but effective in how it tackles the characters and their journey. The filmmaking is exquisite. Despite being over 100 years old, Ford's direction remains first-rate (even at such an early stage in the filmmaker's career). Hell Bent surpassed my expectations and managed to be a engrossing Western that has plenty of action to keep one entertained from start to finish. Fans of the director are strongly encouraged to check out this undeniably fun classic western.

Hell Bent Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Hell Bent is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the theatrical aspect ratio of 1.35:1 full frame. The feature-film has received a impressive new 4K restoration from Universal Pictures (presented in collaboration with distributor Kino Lorber). The scan on this release is exceptional. Though there are still thin scratches on the print, the resolution uptick provided by the scanning process is phenomenal.

Given the age of the film and the source materials that were available to Universal, the 4K scanning provides an exquisite level of detail and clarity to the filmmaking. The scan is super crisp and sharp. The print is more natural looking than one would ever expect for a film of its age. The intertitles are also well reproduced (and offer viewers a unique creative approach). These moments have also been lovingly restored and are easy to read. It is hard to image anyone being disappointed by the new 4K restoration. An exceptional effort by Universal and Kino.

Hell Bent Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented with a lossless DTS HD Master Audio 2.0 audio track. The audio on the release is exceptional. The score is newly recorded and as such the track sounds crisp, clear, and dynamic. The presentation is remarkably engaging. Composer Zachary Marsh crafted a fine score, which capably brings out the best of the film with sonic precision: the lossless audio track excels in style. There are no hints whatsoever of any issues with pops, clicks, hiss, and other audio detriments. The score is remarkably entertaining from start to finish and is well reproduced. The quality of the intertitles is also similarly impressive throughout the entire presentation. There were no moments that seemed too-soft or out of focus and these parts were easy to read. All told, an exceptional quality audio track that succeeds at giving new life to the film.

Hell Bent Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joseph McBride

Archival 1970 audio interview conducted on August 19^th, 1970 and featuring John Ford as interviewed by Joseph McBride, author of Searching for John Ford (audio only, 44:32)

A Horse or a Mary? (HD, 9:09) is a video essay by film critic Tag Gallagher about filmmaker John Ford and the film. This was a particularly wonderful inclusion. Fans of the filmmaker will be quite pleased with the numbers of insights offered by Gallagher. The piece focuses on the filmmaker's historical significance and journey as a director. Consider it a must-watch for fans.

Hell Bent Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Fans of John Ford should consider Hell Bent a must-see early classic. The filmmaking is exciting and will have viewers on the edge-of- their-seat. A classic western, the production has received a gorgeous new 4K restoration. Given the age of the materials, it is remarkable that Universal and Kino were able to present the film in such an impressive manner. There is something remarkably special about the film. The Kino release comes highly recommended.