Rating summary
| Movie |  | 3.5 |
| Video |  | 4.0 |
| Audio |  | 2.5 |
| Extras | | 3.5 |
| Overall | | 3.5 |
The Cariboo Trail Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 9, 2016
Picking up where “Canadian Pacific” left off, director Edwin L. Marin and star Randolph Scott return to the Great White North in 1950’s “The Cariboo Trail,” selecting another tale of hard men making their way through untamed land. For this chapter, a gold rush is explored, pitting earnest cattlemen against entrenched land owners up to no good. Much like “Canadian Pacific,” Marwin goes for big spirits and screen movement with “The Cariboo Trail,” though this effort is noticeably more character-minded than the previous picture.
Troubling events occur in the open range during “The Cariboo Trail,” but most antagonisms play out indoors, with characters facing off and falling in love inside buildings before the production returns to Canadian mountains to survey gold panning efforts. Acting is capable, with Scott’s noble-but-hotheaded hero joined by Gabby Hayes (in his final film role), who brings a touch of humor to an otherwise serious inspection of western honor and opportunism. Karin Booth adds some urgency to the mix as a saloon owner caught in the grip of corrupt officials.
The Cariboo Trail Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Much like "Canadian Pacific," "The Cariboo Trail" is the result of an elaborate restoration to help return the feature to its CineColor origins. The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is bright and detailed, bringing out facial particulars and set decoration, while costuming showcases inviting textures. Color favors a processed level of red, but hues overall are clear. Delineation isn't problematic, though the picture utilizes extensive day for night cinematography. Restoration team downplays most points of damage and scratches, but wear and tear is visible.
The Cariboo Trail Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA is pushed about as far as it can go considering the age and quality of the elements. Hiss is persistent throughout the picture, and while dialogue exchanges aren't completely ruined, they are fuzzy at times, taking away from pure dramatic moments. Scoring also doesn't come through with clarity, but musical emphasis is understood.
The Cariboo Trail Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- "Recombining and Restoring Two-Strip CineColor Components" (28:10, HD) returns to the battle of preservation that began on the "Canadian Pacific" disc. Once again, examples of the restoration are shared, comparing progress to various presentations of the film over the years.
- "'The Cariboo Trail' on 8mm" (8:56, HD) supplies an abridged version of the movie.
- And a Theatrical Trailer (1:42, HD) is included.
The Cariboo Trail Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"The Cariboo Trail" isn't as lively as "Canadian Pacific," but it lets loose periodically, staging chases, fist fights, and cartoonish Native American entanglements to keep things interesting. Better are location visits, with the production embracing wide open spaces, taking advantage of the surroundings. "The Cariboo Trail" is engaging, more in step with traditional western highlights, delivering a slightly knotted tale of gold fever and the complications the come with frontier partnerships.
