Journey to Shiloh Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Journey to Shiloh Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 21, 2022

William Hale's "Journey to Shiloh" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new video interview with actor Don Stroud; new audio commentary recorded by critic and author Simon Abrams; and remastered vintage trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

You sure you wish to go a different way?

William Hale’s Journey to Shiloh has a big problem that did not exist in the late ‘60s. I would to describe it before I tell you anything else about it because it will make your decision whether to see or ignore it extremely easy.

Here’s the problem: nowadays the cast of Journey to Shiloh looks so big that the expectations that naturally come with it cannot possibly be met. James Caan, Harrison Ford, Jan-Michael Vincent, Michael Sarrazin, and Don Stroud together in a western? Journey to Shiloh has to be a terrific film, maybe even a genre masterpiece, correct? You don’t have to be a seasoned film buff with a library of thousands of films to instantly conclude that these actors would not have committed to a project that is anything but impressive. However, I have to warn that are setting yourself up for a major disappointment if this is the exact mindset with which you approach Journey to Shiloh. No, it is not a bad film, but it is not a terrific film that will leave you speechless either. Remember, even though most of these actors were already quite good, their best work would materialize in films that were shot a decade or two later.

Caan is Buck Burnett and leads six cowboys from rural Texas who have decided to join the Confederate Army in Richmond, Virginia. They have never put on a uniform before, followed orders, or fought a real war. They are all country boys who have determined that it is their duty to protect the South from the enemy that has come down from the North. However, even though the cowboys recognize Burnett as their leader, they frequently argue and ignore what he demands of them. One day, after a heated debate, one of them even turns against the entire group and declares that he is fed up and heading in a different direction. Burnett fails to change his mind and shortly after they part ways.

Near Shiloh, Tennessee, the cowboys encounter a friendly platoon, and after they are officially sworn as Confederate soldiers, Burnett is finally relieved of his responsibilities as a leader. The platoon then enters a crucial area where the Confederate Army has suffered heavy losses and reinforcements are desperately needed.

Journey to Shiloh is broken into multiple uneven episodes that are used to produce a wide range of thought-provoking contrasts validating yet again the old truth that in war there are no winners. For example, even before the cowboys enter the battlefield, their skewed perceptions of the realities of war gradually begin to erode their relationships, and by the time they come in contact with the first victims it is already crystal-clear that they are doomed to perish as well. Even Burnett, who is supposed to be the most experienced amongst them, emerges as a simpleton who is riding his luck while trying to stay alive.

Rather predictably, the cause that has brought the cowboys to Tennessee very quickly becomes meaningless as well. Once the Grim Reaper begins circling around them, one by one the cowboys-turned-soldiers come to the realization that they are risking their lives for plenty that they don’t actually approve of or believe in. It is not too long before they discover that the enemy looks, thinks, and hurts just like they do as well.

While the cast is mostly good, the overall quality of the production leaves a lot of be desired. For example, it is very easy to tell that Hale and his production team routinely did the best they could with the money they were given to work with, which is why various set decors, period costumes and even outdoor locations are not very convincing. Also, even though there is nothing particularly wrong with Enzo Martinelli’s cinematography, it is instantly forgettable as well.

*If the subject matter of Journey to Shiloh appeals to you, consider picking up a copy of Shenandoah, which Andrew V. McLaglen directed a few years before it. It is a vastly superior film with a terrific Jimmy Stewart.

Journey to Shiloh Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 and granted a 1080p transfer, Journey to Shiloh arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

The release is sourced from an exclusive new 2K master, which I liked a lot. To be honest, aside from some small density fluctuations and momentary image thinning introduced by light fading, I think that the film looks pretty much as good as it should. Yes, a 4K master will better expose some finer details and depth would be marginally better, but even with the minor inconsistencies I mentioned the current visuals already look really, really good. There are no traces problematic digital enhancements. The master is very nicely graded as well. I think that ideally saturation levels -- and especially light blues and greens -- should be better, but the overall balance is very convincing. In darker areas shadow definition is good, too. Image stability is very good. All in all, even though there is some room for additional cosmetic improvements, the the current technical presentation has very strong organic qualities that provide the film with a predictably attractive appearance. My score is 4.25/5.00. (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).

Journey to Shiloh 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.

I would have preferred to hear a slightly fuller sound, so this could be one area where some restoration work would make a difference, but everything else I thought was great. The dialog was very clear and easy to follow. Balance was good, too. Even during the mass fights dynamic intensity remains pretty modest, but this is to be expected from a film that was completed during the 1960s. There are no distortions, pops, or audio dropouts to report in our review.

Journey to Shiloh Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a remastered vintage trailer for Journey to Shiloh. In English, not subtitle. (3 min).

• Interview with Actor Don Stroud - in this exclusive new video interview, Don Stroud recalls an important encounter with Sidney Poitier and how it gave him the confidence that he could make a living as an actor as well as his involvement with Journey to Shiloh. Also, there are some pretty good comments about Jan-Michael Vincent's tragic life and the type of quality TV material that was being greenlighted at the time. In English, not subtitle. (6 min).

• Commentary - an exclusive new audio commentary recorded by critic and author Simon Abrams.

Journey to Shiloh Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Journey to Shiloh is a small film with a humongous cast that instantly raises expectations impossibly high. I do not think that there is anything seriously wrong with it, but the top-quality acting and directing that was needed to transform it into a great western are definitely missing. As it is, Journey to Shiloh looks a lot like a TV project that was quickly put together by a frugal and possibly very impatient producer who had a deadline to meet. You could consider adding it to your collection if you are a die-hard fan of some of its stars, but if it is its subject matter that interests you, you would be much better off with a copy of the vastly superior Shenandoah. RENT IT.