Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Navajo Joe Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 19, 2015

1966’s ‘Navajo Joe” is a straightforward revenge picture questing to create an icon out of the titular character, portrayed by Burt Reynolds. Produced by Dino De Laurentiis and directed by Sergio Corbucci, “Navajo Joe” is all action and intimidation, striving to generate an agitated tone of boiling rage as it details failed heists and southwestern chases, emerging as a wonderfully entertaining adventure that’s Quentin Tarantino approved, with the filmmaker lifting sections of Ennio Morricone’s wily, anthemic score to breathe a special cinematic life into his masterpiece, “Kill Bill.”

Detailing the story of Joe (Reynolds), a Native American warrior on the hunt for vengeance when outlaw Duncan (Aldo Sambrell) kills and scalps his wife, the feature shows surprising volatility for the era, taking advantage of changing tastes in screen extremity to keep the titular character’s mission particularly on edge. Joe beats and stabs his enemies without mercy, and the production celebrates his determination, gifting him a driving theme song and a plot that reveres primal urges. There’s time for romantic and respectful subplots, but the core of “Navajo Joe” is unexpectedly dark, providing the movie with ferocity that holds attention.

Navajo Joe Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation does show signs of age, with a slightly faded appearance, though bolder colors don't display obvious limitations. Hues are eye-catching with period costumes, finding showgirl outfits providing vibrancy, while the rest of the western palette remains expectedly muted. Skintones are appropriately exaggerated. Detail isn't wonderful, lacking sharpness due period cinematography, but a few textures retain intact. Delineation is rarely outstanding, solidifying with dense hairstyles and evening sequences. Source has some speckling and scratches, but overt damage isn't a distraction.

Navajo Joe Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track is missing a great deal of definition, emerging as more of a wall of sound than a nuanced collection of elements. The famous score is shrill and thin, hitting unpleasant highs and unremarkable lows. Dialogue exchanges are dubbed and pronounced, but rarely carry dramatic layers, with a bluntness to the performances that's unremarkable. Sound effects are routine but offer a little punch. Atmospherics are sparingly used. Hiss and pops are detected.

Navajo Joe Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Gary Palmucci.

• And a Theatrical Trailer is included.

Navajo Joe Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Period ornamentation remains, with Reynolds and select co-stars in Redface (a common practice at the time, but still strange to see), while stunt work is simply terrific, but frequently knocks around horses, showing little care for their safety. Certain aspects of the production aren't welcome today, but "Navajo Joe" remains sharp and eventful, using Reynolds's natural charisma to great effect as the Native American tears through baddies, while Spanish and Italian locations create a memorable battlefield for spaghetti western pursuits. "Navajo Joe" isn't delicate fare, making sure viewers are sufficiently riled up as guns blast and knives are brandished, finding rousing inspiration in an unlikely big screen antihero.