7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Jonathan Corbett is a gunman so brave to have eliminated all the bandits of Texas. For this he is proposed for the candidacy to the Senate of the United States. In exchange he has only to support the construction of one railway line. Only after he accepts does he come to know that the Mexican Cuchillo has raped and killed a 12 year old girl. Corbett leaves on a long manhunt during which he gets to know his adversary better and discovers a variation on the crime for which the accused Cuchillo may not be as guilty as he first thought.
Starring: Lee Van Cleef, Tomas Milián, Luisa Rivelli, Walter Barnes (I), Nieves NavarroForeign | 100% |
Western | 51% |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Music: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD, 1 CD)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
As the Italian Western genre began to flourish in the mid-1960s, taking the world by storm, certain pictures, such as “A Fistful of Dollars,” were quickly solidified as modern classics, making a director like Sergio Leone synonymous with squinty actors and ruthless Ennio Morricone scores. However, a few other gems managed to slip into view during this fertile period, including 1966’s “The Big Gundown,” a fascinating manhunt tale from helmer Sergio Sollima that employed a political slant to its tale of unlikely respect, making the feature as much about the changing tide of American and Mexican relations as it was about cowboy violence. Impressively shot and edited, “The Big Gundown” manages to thrill, tickle, and thunder in all the ways a masterful western should, adding a nice counterpoint of flawed heroism to the genre’s operatic accomplishments.
The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation does an excellent job matching the picture's original theatrical condition. Some debris and faint flicker are detected, but this is a hearty viewing experience with a pleasing fullness of color, featuring crisp western hues, big blue skies, and accurate skintones. Fine detail is generous with squinty facial particulars, while costuming conveys fabric quality and exteriors expose natural textures. Shadow detail is supportive and expressive, maintaining distances and evening encounters without solidification. Grain is managed superbly, providing a filmic appearance. The BD event looks fresh and true, capturing cinematographic nuance. Featured on the disc are two cuts: the "Expanded U.S. Version" (94:56) and the "Italian Director's Cut" (110:18).
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix kicks off with a burst of energy, finding the title tune from Christy testing the upper reaches of the track, hitting the viewer with a direct shot of frontal power. The action settles down into comfortable silences, with a spare quality that boosts the mood. Scoring is expressive, adding support and distinct musicianship, never intruding on dialog exchanges. Performances sound clean in their dubbed presentation, with easily tracked emotional changes, never sounding clotted. Atmospherics are goosed, but pleasingly so, finding gunshots and whip cracks appropriate in their loudness. It's a simple audio design in many respects, but the sheer movement of the mix is preserved well on this disc. Additionally, a Music & Effects track is supplied.
Tending to the traditions of Italian Westerns, "The Big Gundown" doesn't disappoint, providing abundant showdowns and shootouts, including a Leone-esque finale where the score is settled in a decidedly protracted manner. There are layers here as well that are most welcome, finding Brokston an uneasy presence in the story, while border and racial tensions are introduced smoothly into the script, bringing necessary grit. It's a wonderful film, rich with style and loaded with surprises, with a fluid storytelling touch that brings substance to a genre that's often concerned solely with appearance. It's a must-see, especially for any western fan who feels Leone is the final word when it comes to this idiosyncratic cinematic movement.
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