Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		4.0

Man from del Rio Blu-ray Movie Review

An excellent Western highlighted by great performances.

The Man from Del Rio is an engaging action-adventure Western. Produced by Robert L. Jacks (Prince Valiant, The Undefeated), The Man from Del Rio features star performances by Anthony Quinn and Peter Whitney. The film offers plenty of excitement for fans of the Western genre and should be considered as an under-rated gem.

Mexican gun legend Dave Robles (Anthony Quinn) is one of the best sharp-shooters in the entire state. After Dave wins matches against some of the most notorious gun-slingers around, the town of Mesa decides to hire the quick-fire shooter as their new town sheriff. Yet justice might not come easy as crooked saloon operator Ed Bannister (Peter Whitney) was in cahoots with the previous sheriff to provide an easy-path for illegal activities.

Ed wants Dave to play along with his criminal organization – offering him a special payroll to work alongside him and the saloon. If Dave won’t agree to his terms, Ed might find a way to take him on (and lead him to death by hanging). Can Dave operate the town as an upright sheriff or will the corruption of the saloon operator lead him astray? Life hangs in the balance and Dave might not survive the chaos of the criminal world. Can Dave stop Ed and his henchmen?

Anthony Quinn is exceptional as slick-shooter Dave. The performance is enormously entertaining and there is plenty of energy in the Quinn’s raw performance. The strong lead role is a perfect part of the filmmaking equation and Quinn has enormous fun with his role.

The art direction by William Glasgow (Invisible Invaders, Curse of the Faceless Man) is excellent and a great contribution to the production. Art Director Glasgow helped the canvas of the production feel more authentic and compelling. A wonderful showcase for the dedication of Glasgow.

A painterly canvas.

The costumes by Frank Beetson Jr. (The Searchers, The Horse Soldiers) and Opal Vils (The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction) make a big impression and help to enhance the film. The costumes certainly work well for the entire cast and the costuming aren’t ill-conceived for the film.

The cinematography by Stanley Cortez (The Night of the Hunter, The Magnificent Ambersons) is first rate. The hypnotic black and white visuals are rewarding. The cinematography provides the film a piercingly effective style and the tone of the film is enhanced by the visuals.

The music composed by Fred Steiner (Hogan’s Heroes, The Twilight Zone) is a perfect match to the filmmaking and genre. The score is bold, ambitious, and entertaining. The music fits the film with compelling gravitas.

The screenplay by Richard Carr (Americana, Too Late Blues) features great dialogue and character storytelling. The script is engaging in its portrayal of the central cast of characters. A good effort.

Directed by Harry Horner (Red Planet Mars, A Life in the Balance), The Man from Del Rio is an entertaining and worthwhile Western classic. Horner has fun with the concept and works well with the cast of actors. The film has a nice visual style and the directorial framing by Horner is creative and highly compelling. The Man from Del Rio is worth seeing.

Man from del Rio Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, The Man from Del Rio is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The release has a worthwhile high-definition presentation. The black and white cinematography looks exceptional on the release with crisp clarity and resolution. The encode is excellent and doesn't suffer from any egregious compression issues. The transfer is in excellent shape and doesn't have egregious dirt, debris, or scratches on the print.

Man from del Rio Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. The lossless audio quality on the release is excellent. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. The score is well reproduced as well. The sound design is preserved with the audio encoding. A good effort from Kino Lorber.

Man from del Rio Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Man from Del Rio Trailer (HD, 2:12)

The Ride Back Trailer (HD, 2:21)

Across 110^th Street Trailer (HD, 2:59)

The Destructors Trailer (SD, 2:51)

The Greek Tycoon Trailer (HD, 2:24)

The Passage Trailer (SD, 3:28)

Man from del Rio Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Man from Del Rio is an entertaining Western with effective storytelling and emotional gravitas. The film is well produced and has a number of impressive components. The performances are great (most especially from star Anthony Quinn. The Blu-ray release has a nice video and audio presentation. A classic Western that is well worth seeing. Recommended.