Man of Conquest Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		2.0
Audio		2.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.0

Man of Conquest Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 23, 2015

Man of Conquest takes the life and times of a diversely-lived man's man named Sam Houston -- fighter, revolutionary, politician, even part-time wrestler -- and whittles it down into a very compact, simplified, but mostly entertaining 90-some minutes, a digestible history of early American life and times embodied in one of the most storied figures in the nation's history. Director George Nichols Jr. crams quite a bit into the movie, traversing from one highlight to the next with an agreeable pace and welcome combination of detailed telling and quick run-through of Houston's accomplishments and downfalls alike. While the film is no classic, it's a solid enough entertainer. While it's no replacement for detailed history texts, it's a decent enough overview of one of the nation's most dominant figures to come out of the generation that followed the founding fathers. Based on Marquis James' Houston biography (James also penned a bio on one of the film's other main characters, President and General Andrew Jackson).

Houston and Jackson.

Sam Houston (Richard Dix) lives life as he sees fit. His mother (Sarah Padden) is disappointed with the direction his life has taken, or perhaps better said, the direction towards which he's steered it. Rather than a respectable gentleman with a traditional life and career, Sam has taken to the Cherokees, admiring their way of life and claiming only they understand the concept of freedom as he does. He's gone so far as to take the Cherokee nation as his adoptive family. When Houston learns that Washington has been burned and that General Andrew Jackson (Edward Ellis) is on the march towards New Orleans and is calling on men to volunteer for the fight against invading British forces, he enlists and rallies his fellow Tennesseans to the cause, but only after a bit of money and a few forcefully persuasive knocks change their minds.

Year later, after the dust has settled and the war has been won, Houston has become Governor of Tennessee and remained friends with Jackson, now President of the United States, who is rallying support for Houston's re-election. Houston is set to marry the lovely Eliza Allen (Joan Fontaine) who isn't so impressed with Houston's ways, which include proving his worth to voters by way of an impromptu wrestling match. She leaves him, and it destroys his political career. He turns to drink, shrinks away from public life, and it's only when he returns to the Cherokee that he regains control over himself. But when the Cherokee and the federal government -- Andrew Jackson -- are practically set to come to blows over Jackson's policies that are forcibly removing Indians from their homes, Houston clashes with his good friend. Jackson and Houston settle the matter amicably, which leads him to a new venture in Texas where he'll play a pivotal role in gaining its independence from Mexico.

Man of Conquest is more about the man and less about the conquest. The film leaves some of the major military events of Houston's life to brief snippets of stock footage rather than lengthy action scenes, which suits the film well enough. The draw here is in the core story of the man and the various mountains and valleys of his life, of his influential ties to several major people and events of his time as a warrior, a governor, an advocate for a wronged people, and a key player in Texas independence and, ultimately, his service as the first President of the Republic of Texas. The film is certainly less dynamic than it probably would be if it were of a more modern vintage, if the story were retold for contemporary audiences, but on its own canvas and based on its own merits it proves a serviceable Drama with a charismatic lead character and a good performance from Richard Dix who manages to balance the character's many stories but maintains a solid foundational center that guides Houston in all he does, which is usually in some form or fashion fighting for freedom, whether that means wrestling for votes, advocating for Native Americans, or tirelessly working towards Texas independence. The film also enjoys several good support performances, notably from Edward Ellis as Andrew Jackson.

Man of Conquest Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Man of Conquest's opening titles are rough, as in tons of wear rough, and things don't improve all that much for the duration. The image is littered with speckles, scratches, and stray vertical lines. It's fairly soft and flat, too, yielding precious little in terms of raw detailing, a shame considering some of the ornate costumes and backdrops seen throughout the movie, whether during Houston's time with the Cherokee, on the campaign trail with Jackson, or deep in the heart of Texas. Black levels struggle to find balance, presenting crush in spots and paleness in others. The image certainly benefits from the uptick in resolution Blu-ray affords it, but the roughhewn transfer usually negates that raw boost in resolution.

Man of Conquest Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Man of Conquest's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack presents the basics with adequate definition but accomplishes nothing more. Music is scratchy and crunchy, lacking all but the most basic clarity and detail. Some tribal beats and chants partway through the film enjoy a slight bit more in the way of authoritative sonic texturing but most of the time music struggles to present with anything more than the nuts-and-bolts requirements. A few smaller sound effects like breaking glass fall flat and also lack even modest precision. Underlying hisses and scratches are commonplace. Dialogue is at least clear enough and enjoys fair center imaging.

Man of Conquest Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Man of Conquest contains no bonus content. The main menu only offers selections for "Play" and "Chapters."

Man of Conquest Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Man of Conquest may not be a classic picture, but its lead character is a classic American hero and statesman whose story makes for an interesting cinematic narrative. While this film is more a nuts-and-bolts character study and less a gritty biopic that would likely come from today's cinema, it offers, if nothing else, a fine starting point to get to know one of the most intriguing and, in many ways, important figures in United States history. Olive Films' featureless Blu-ray, however, isn't quite up to par. Disappointing video and audio lend a fairly rough, dated, worn down feel to the movie, but chances are this is as good as it's going to get for Man of Conquest for the foreseeable future. Rent or buy on a steep sale.