Rawhide Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Rawhide Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 27, 2016

What’s most surprising about 1951’s “Rawhide” is its ferocity, refusing to go soft as it explores rising tensions between stagecoach service officials (including Tyrone Power) and a single mother (Susan Hayward), and an outlaw gang who’s taken over the station, searching for a shipment of gold. The essentials in antagonism are there, but “Rawhide” has real snap, detailing troubling times with terrific performances and a sense of danger that separates it from the traditional black hat/white hat entertainment of the day.

“Rawhide” isn’t an actioner, but a slow-burn psychological tale focusing on anxieties as a simple criminal takeover is complicated by unpredictable personalities and the presence of a mother fiercely protective of her child. Threats are traded and plans are forged, but the bulk of the feature remains on troubled characters in survival mode, with everyone involved looking for a way out of problematic situation. Reportedly the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight,” “Rawhide” projects the same type of steely standoffs and personality exploration, working subtle moments of dissention until the whole picture erupts in the third act.

Rawhide Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Rawhide" offers encouraging clarity, exposing a wide range of facial features and costuming. Outdoor expanse is also deep, open for inspection. It's filmic viewing experience, capturing fine grain and securing black and white balance. Source is in decent shape, without major damage points, but there are a few flopping strands of hair in the upper right corner of the frame during the first reel.

Rawhide Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM sound mix handles simply and effectively, carrying the picture's dramatic tension through clear dialogue exchanges, with nothing lost during the listening event. Scoring also finds bigness throughout, delivering passable instrumentation. Sound effects retain snap, and atmospherics are acceptable, handling the open air vibe of the feature.

Rawhide Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Susan Hayward: Hollywood's Straight Shooter" (6:49, SD) is a 2007 featurette on the co-star of "Rawhide," focusing on biographical details, career highlights, and her reputation as a confident artist in a difficult industry. Anecdotes and details are providing by a small group of historians.

• "Shoot it in the Lone Pine!" (12:38, SD) spotlights the popular western location, nicknamed "Little Hollywood." Historians return to explore the region's history, even catching up with a few key shooting locations.

• Restoration Comparison (2:12, SD) is a nine-year-old look at the digital restoration for "Rawhide."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:27, SD) is included.

Rawhide Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The cast is terrific and the locations are divine, but what sticks after a viewing is the effort's ruthlessness, with betrayals common and a shocking offering of child endangerment is employed to tighten suspense. "Rawhide" leaves a few bruises as it takes on a violent western tale, motivating hostility in a visceral way.