McLintock! Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

McLintock! Blu-ray Movie Review

"Authentic!"

Paramount has released the fan-favorite classic Western 'McLintock!' to Blu-ray a little over a year after the critically acclaimed, albeit featureless, release from Olive Films. The film, which has been in the public domain for two decades, can now boast an "authentic collector's edition," sourced from "original film elements." Picture quality is stunning, and audiences are provided several audio options, including 5.1 lossless and mono presentations. Supplements aren't extensive but do prove enjoyable, highlighted by a multi-participant (edited together) audio commentary featuring longtime film critic and historian Leonard Maltin.

The Duke.

McLintock! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount's Blu-ray release of McLintock! delivers. This is a stunning Blu-ray presentation, one that will prove a revelation for audiences who have long held closely to their beloved VHS and DVD copies and a sight to behold even for veteran high end classic film picture quality enthusiasts. Though the image does display a fair amount of speckling here and there -- white spots are rather common, though thankfully small and unobtrusive -- the overall picture quality stuns. Everything around the frame looks absolutely gorgeous. Earthy terrains are very well defined, whether dirt roads or far away plains. Clothing textures are superb and intricately detailed, from rustic western attire to intricate dresses. Wooden accents, brickwork, leathery saddles, animal hairs, and most all of the small, even distant, background textures throughout the film look amazing. Image clarity is top-notch, and details are well-defined and crisp even at great distance, particularly evident in sprawling exteriors where vegetation and land retains clearly evident sharpness. Colors are just as exciting. Though much of the film is defined by earth tones, woods of varying levels of care and wear, and dusty objects, the transfer picks up gorgeously bright shades. All color of clothing -- red, blue, and green particularly stand out -- bright town signage, and natural vegetation all offer brilliantly balanced shades. The palette displays deep saturation and very well defined shades in practically every scene, both interior and exterior, day and night. Black levels are nicely deep and inky, while flesh tones appear fairly stable, pushing just a touch towards an orange shade. Overall, this is stunning, frequently breathtaking transfer from Paramount.

McLintock! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

McLintock! rides onto Blu-ray with a serviceable Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Don't expect much of a jump in spacing and envelopment with this track over the included mono presentation. This is a fairly flat, front-heavy, and center-focused listen with precious little in the way of wide stage elements. Music plays smoothly and accurately, enjoying good body and fair clarity but not much in the way of extended reach beyond the middle. Various environmental sound effects likewise don't spread too far or sound all that immersive. Cattle moving and mooing about, for instance, trickles on out to the sides but doesn't really help pull the listener into the environment. Wide-open plains, main streets, and various interiors aren't very well sonically defined, either. Dialogue does come through with relative ease and effectiveness, though some listeners may notice a slightly muddled and shallow sensation at times. For the most part, the track works as a serviceable listen. It's certainly not the revelation that is the picture quality, but it's a good, simple effort that fits the film nicely enough.

McLintock! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

McLintock! features a decent assortment of extras, including an informative commentary track and a three-part making-of feature.

• Audio Commentary: Film Critic Leonard Maltin; Frank Thompson; Actors Maureen O'Hara, Stefanie Powers, and Michael Pate; Producer Michael Wayne; and Director Andrew McLaglen deliver a fine, informative track that covers a lot of ground but never feels scattered. Maltin and Thompson lead the track and cover both wide, sweeping generalizations about the film while also sharing plenty of fascinating anecdotes about the shoot, the actors, the costumes, and other bits surrounding the film. The other participants occasionally share their thoughts on various aspects of the film, edited almost seamlessly into the dominant Maltin/Thompson discussion.
• Introduction by Leonard Maltin (SD, 2:39): The film critic and historian shares a few basic facts and thoughts on the film's history, story, and production.
• The Making of McLintock! (SD): A three-part feature. The Batjac Story Part II: The Legacy of Michael Wayne (15:59) takes a look at Michael Wayne's role as Producer on the film and his work with and management of Batjac. It also focuses on his personal life, character, and relationships, as well as his father's fights with cancer. Maureen O'Hara and Stefanie Powers Remember 'McLintock!' (13:23) features the actresses sharing a few anecdotes from their time on the shoot. Lastly, A Good Ol' Fashion Fight (10:55) takes a look at the details behind a movie fight scene with a look at the specifics behind some of the film's stunts.
• The Corset: Don't Leave Home Without One! (SD, 7:49): Woodbury University's Curator of the Fashion Study Collection Louise Coffey-Webb discusses the title wardrobe article.
• 2 Minute Fight School (SD, 2:18): Stuntmen Tom Morga and Wayne Bauer break down the anatomy of a movie fistfight.
• Photo Gallery (HD): posters and stills.
• Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:46).

McLintock! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

McLintock! is one of this classic Westerns that has aged gracefully and seems more and more enjoyable with each and every viewing. A stalwart of the Wayne canon and one of The Duke's most cherished films, its light tone, terrific cast, and gorgeous photography -- the latter always a staple of the best genre pictures, it seems -- will leave audiences more than satisfied. Paramount's Blu-ray release of McLintock! delivers truly superb video, fine audio, and a fair, but hardly exhaustive, array of bonus content. It's a shame the studio couldn't muster together a somewhat more comprehensive special edition for this fan-favorite classic, but this is certainly a release to treasure. Very highly recommended.