Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Joe Kidd Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 9, 2020

John Sturges' "Joe Kidd" (1972) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; new video interview with actor Don Stroud; and new audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

I am the law now

The exclusive new interview with Don Stroud is a gem. The retired actor tells you exactly why Joe Kidd was a misfire, why John Sturges was not the right man to direct it, and why it is still a mostly decent film. I am going to address these revelations below because for the most part they sum up the film as I see it.

According to Stroud, once shooting began a lot of people failed to stay focused and could not perform their duties properly. Sturges was one of them. On top of this, Sturges and Clint Eastwood never really warmed up to each other and spent a lot of precious time arguing. Creative differences? Most likely. But Stroud also carefully suggests that they just did not like each other. Naturally, the shooting process was a perpetual struggle for both men and, according to Stroud, the main reason why Joe Kidd did not turn out as it should. Stroud also states that Eastwood should have directed Joe Kidd because he understood its characters better than Sturges did, and likely would have made it similar to the films that established him as one of the finest directors in America. Is this a legit claim? Well, it is an undisputed fact that all of the westerns Eastwood directed are in fact better than Joe Kidd.

There is no doubt in my mind that Stroud's recollections are truthful because Joe Kidd looks exactly as he characterizes it -- a film of dueling visions and many missed opportunities. Consider the following examples: even before the bounty hunter (Eastwood) is hired by Frank Harlan (Robert Duvall) to help him track down Luis Chama (John Saxon), you can feel that the tone of the film is shaky. Indeed, humorous situations are repeatedly countered with dramatic situations that are clearly incompatible with the type of buildup the script demands. How do we know this? Watch how the bounty hunter shines in situations that are practically meaningless. Now compare the bounty hunter’s enthusiasm after he switches sides and begins killing Harlan’s men. It is poor and just does not feel right. And what exactly motivates his transformation? Harlan’s personality? The cruelty of his men? Chama’s idealism? It is impossible to tell.

Harlan’s characterization is quite problematic as well. No, it is not difficult to accept that a nasty man like him would have done the things he does after the hunt begins. The problem is, he is so transparent that it is awfully difficult to accept that he could have had a business relationship with the bounty hunter. In fact, it is absolutely impossible to see it as legit, which is precisely why the bounty hunter tries to sell it differently with his belated confession that he made a “mistake”.

Then there is Chama’s decision to walk away from his men and go back with the bounty hunter to face the legal system that has made him a fugitive. Why does he do it? Because the bounty hunter guns down a couple of Harlan’s men and then convinces him that it is the best move for his cause? Think about it. Harlan and his men take over the small town, the sheriff and judge become irrelevant, but Chama agrees to go back and settle a legal dispute in the local courthouse. It makes no sense.

Some of the action footage is mildly entertaining, but it feels a lot like a distraction from a wide range of disappointing inconsistencies.

Sturges worked with cinematographer Bruce Surtess (Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz). The soundtrack, which blends some very cool funk-jazz harmonies, was composed by Lalo Schifrin (The Cincinnati Kid, Coogan's Bluff).

Joe Kidd Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

The master that was used to produce this release is good. It has a slightly more contrasty look that I would have liked, but it still looks quite nice. In some of the panoramic shots finer details could be better, but overall the visuals are solid. Depth is pleasing as well. Density levels range from good to very good and in some areas even excellent. The color grading job is excellent. The primaries are lush and nicely balanced, plus the existing nuances look healthy. Also, highlights are managed well, though a new 4K master will almost certainly introduce some minor improvements. There are no traces of problematic digital work. A few blemishes remain, but there are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. (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).

Joe Kidd 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.

There are no technical issues to report. The audio is clean, sharp, and very nicely balanced. I especially liked how clean and nicely rounded Lalo Schifrin's scored sounded. (It has a very funky vibe that would have perfect in a contemporary crime film). Stability is excellent. There are no audio dropouts or digital distortions.

Joe Kidd Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview with Don Stroud - in this new video interview, actor Don Stroud remembers how he became involved with Joe Kidd and his interactions with Clint Eastwood, and shares some very interesting information about the production of the film. The interview was conducted exclusively for Kino Lorber. In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p).

• Trailer - remastered vintage trailer for Joe Kidd. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

• TV Spot - vintage TV spot for Joe Kidd. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).

• TV Spot - vintage radio spot for Joe Kidd. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).

• Image Gallery - a gallery of promotional materials for Joe Kidd. (4 min, 1080p).

• Commentary - this audio commentary was recorded by filmmaker Alex Cox.

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art.

Joe Kidd Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am in complete agreement with Don Stroud that Clint Eastwood should have directed Joe Kidd. Why? Because it is so obvious that John Sturges either did not understand its characters or did not care for them. I can't see how if the opposite was true Sturges would not have intervened and done some changes to ensure that the film looks coherent. There are a few entertaining sequences where Eastwood exudes the right type of confidence, but overall Joe Kidd is a mismanaged project. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from a good organic master that was supplied by Universal Pictures. RENT IT.