6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Ace Bonner returns to Arizona several years after he abandoned his family, Junior Bonner is a wild young man. Against the typical rodeo championship, family drama erupts.
Starring: Steve McQueen (I), Robert Preston, Ida Lupino, Ben Johnson, Joe Don BakerWestern | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
After sending viewers through a traumatic ride in the provocative 1971 film, “Straw Dogs,” director Sam Peckinpah settles downs for 1972’s “Junior Bonner,” which plays unnervingly peaceful, offering a helmer known for his violent cinema a rare shot at emotional excavation with defined characters. Peckinpah’s gone soft before, but the change in attitude works especially well here, as “Junior Bonner” offers a story that’s open for community spirit and self-inspection, while utilizing colorful Prescott, Arizona locations to support this saga of a rodeo hero facing the twilight of his career.
The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't seem to represent a recent scan of "Junior Bonner," but the viewing experience isn't torpedoed by age-related issues. Detail is just fine, and while softness is present, facial particulars come through satisfactorily, picking up on worry lines and general cowboy roughness. Locations offer depth, and set decoration is open for study. Colors are slightly muted, but western hues are appealing, dealing with sunbaked cinematography and greenery, while period costuming handles with more pronounced examples of yellows and oranges. Delineation isn't troubling. Source is stable, with some minor speckling.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix run on the quiet side, requiring a boost in volume to really feel the mood of the feature. Music tends to make the best impression, with healthy vocals and heavier bass, while scoring needs are met with adequate instrumentation and position. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, fighting mumbling and intentionally chaotic locations, but nothing is impossible to decipher. Atmospherics are noisy around group activity, but the vibe of bars and rodeos remains intact. Mild hiss is present throughout.
A splendid cast of rugged characters populate "Junior Bonner," and Peckinpah isn't exactly leading a church service here, ordering up some heated confrontations and a mid-movie bar brawl. McQueen charms with his low-key approach, wisely underplaying Junior's internal panic, while romantic interests (Barbara Leigh plays the object of desire) are unnecessary, but salvaged by his commitment to the role. However, while characterization is deep and themes are powerful, "Junior Bonner" is more interested in The Hang, remaining close to rodeo happenings and town events, delivering big atmosphere to support the personal journey, which leaves the picture a little aimless at times, but always evocative, adding something small and sincere to Peckinpah's otherwise aggressive filmography.
2015
1955
1976
1962
1972
2019
1946
1956
2015
1965
Warner Archive Collection
1970
1959
2024
1971
2016
1948
2014
2014
1939
Warner Archive Collection
1979