Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Robbers' Roost Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 28, 2015

Gunslingers and revenge dominates 1955’s “Robbers’ Roost,” a steely western that inspects a methodical path to vengeance. George Montgomery stars as a cowboy on a special mission, finding himself tangled up with cattle rustlers, encountering a companion in one dubious individual (Richard Boone), while another (Peter Graves) is outright antagonistic, complicating the hunt for the heartbroken hero. “Robbers’ Roost” isn’t a complex genre effort, satisfied with the basics in intimidation and roughhouse behavior, keeping shootouts and fisticuffs coming as director Sidney Salkow manages tension capably.

There’s a secret at the core of “Robbers’ Roost” (adapted from the Zane Grey novel) that’s fairly horrifying, but it’s held tightly by the lead character, who’s pursuing thugs for what initially appears to be horse theft, but eventually reaches another level of brutality. The production doesn’t linger on the mystery, electing to create suspense through acts of intimidation, with a cattle ranch the battleground for warring outlaws looking to make an honest buck, gifting the actors plenty of chances to perfect their scowls and test their quick-draw skills. “Robbers’ Roost” eventually adds a female element to the story (played by Sylvia Findley), attempting to dilute the surge of testosterone, but the feature is most engaging when it focuses on threats and assorted charged encounters, most exploding into brief moments of violence.

Robbers' Roost Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offer encouraging colors for period cinematography, with refreshed hues finding life through costuming, blue eyes, and southwest locations, showing minimal fade. Detail remains interesting throughout inherent softeness, capturing leathery skin textures and rough craftsmanship on sets. Delineation has is difficulties with evening encounters, with some brightening present to explore frame information. Depth isn't strong during these sequences. Source is a bit ragged, with debris and vertical scratches common.

Robbers' Roost Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a difficult listening experience, though most problems register as inherent to the original sound recording, which is remarkably poor. Echoed interiors and crowded exteriors compete with dialogue exchanges, and while the performances are never eliminated in full, they are often challenged by environmental activity. Crispness is also not available, leaving the track on the muddy side, which extends to the scoring effort. The music is loudly presented, but lacks snap. Hiss is detected, but doesn't overwhelm.

Robbers' Roost Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Robbers' Roost Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As westerns go, "Robbers' Roost" is more about internalized anger than location expanse and horse management, working on a story that's going somewhere specific. It's not an especially rousing picture, keeping true to its status as a cheap programmer, but "Robbers' Roost" has select scenes where the elements come together nicely, exposing wounds and simmering anger with a decent command of animosity.