7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A marshal tries to bring the son of an old friend, an autocratic cattle baron, to justice for the rape and murder of his wife.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Carolyn Jones, Earl Holliman, Brad DexterWestern | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
John Sturges' "Last Train from Gun Hill" (1959) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary recorded by film historian Stephen Prince; new program with critic Leonard Maltin; and vintage trailer. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
A twitch is all it takes. Remember that.
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Last Train From Gun Hill arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.
The release introduces Paramount's recent 6K restoration of Last Train From Gun Hill, which was initially made available in North America. (You can see our listing and review of the U.S. release of Last Train From Gun Hill here). I like this restoration a lot. However, I would like to point out a couple of things that need to be placed in a proper context when its technical presentation is discussed.
First, even though the visuals can be quite striking, it is pretty easy to tell that Blu-ray struggles to accurately reproduce the amount of native information that was captured by the VistaVision camera. In some areas the dynamic range of the visuals actually does not feel quite right because very small nuances are simply 'downgraded', or if you prefer 'merged', quite a bit to fit on a 1080p transfer. You can see examples in screencaptures #7 and 17. This isn't a flaw. It is a how the native higher resolution information is accommodated on a 1080p transfer. Second, it is just as easy to tell that the spectrum of colors ought to be wider as well. Again, the visuals are often breathtaking, but in some areas saturation and balance are not optimal. This isn't a flaw of either. You can see examples in screencaptures #3 and 8. I specifically took screencapture #9 as well. Here it is very obvious that the current transfer and color grade are having a difficult time reproducing all native nuances, which is why brown, the main primary, begins to stick out. Third, despite being excellent, I think that fluidity should be even better. Why? Because this was one of the main strengths of the VistaVision process. At the moment fluidity is excellent, but not exceptional, and the reason for this is less than optimal resolution of the moving visuals. Image stability is excellent. Predictably, the entire film looks exceptionally healthy as well. All in all, this is a terrific technical presentation of Last Train From Gun Hill, but if seen in it its native resolution this film will look even better. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
Dynamic strength and balance are excellent. Clarity and sharpness are really good, too. I did notice just a tiny bit of background hiss trying to sneak in, but I assume that it was left as is so that the integrity of the original audio is kept intact. Regardless, the lossless track is excellent and you do not need to worry about any distracting anomalies.
If you regularly visit different sites where collectors gather to discuss their latest acquisitions and discoveries, you have probably grown tired of reading how such and such film is underrated and should have been declared a classic many moons ago. It is because nine out of ten times what you are reading isn't true. John Sturges' Last Train From Gun Hill is a genuine underrated western that should have earned its classic status a long time ago, so when last year the folks at Paramount Pictures revealed that they had restored it in 6K and were preparing a Blu-ray release, I was beyond thrilled. I think that the new restoration is outstanding and the only way the film could look better is if it was released on 4K Bu-ray. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Hollywood Gold Series
1962
2014
2015
1965
1953
2016
25th Anniversary
1992
1959
1957
1985
1972
2013
1969
Hollywood Gold Series
1968
2016
2015
Hollywood Gold Series
1962
Hollywood Gold Series
1950
1958
2010