Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Grey Fox Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 11, 2020

Phillip Borsos' "The Grey Fox" (1982) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include new interview with producer Peter O'Brian; new interview with composer Michael Conway Baker; new interview with archivist/restoration producer Bret Wood; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Old habits die hard

In March 1963 Bill Miner held up the Arizona Pony Express Service, escaping with $200. He was sixteen. For the next eighteen years he masterminded twenty-six daring stagecoach robberies in Colorado, California, and Utah. The Pinkerton Detective Agency named him “The Gentleman Bandit”, and credited him with originating the command “Hands Up!”. On June 17th 1901, after 33 years in San Quentin Prison, Bill Miner was released into the 20th century.

The old-timer (Richard Farnsworth) that emerges after the quoted text from the prologue is a fascinating character. He looks jaded and from time to time perhaps somewhat overwhelmed by the new world that has welcomed him. He is soft-spoken and a good listener, someone that immediately blends in with the crowd around him. His gray, slightly worn-out around the edges mustache also leaves the impression that he has spent a lot of time thinking about life and the things that make it worth living -- alone.

Somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, the old-timer meets his sister (Samantha Langevin) and her husband (Tom Heaton) and then gets a job picking up oysters on the beach. It is supposed to be a decent job, or at least a quiet one, but while viewing his very first cowboy film in a local theater it dawns on him that it isn’t his gig. Shortly after, the old-timer buys a gun and together with two young ‘associates’ almost robs his first train. The associates get killed and the old-timer barely gets away.

In Canada, the old-timer and his new partner Shortly Dunn (Wayne Robson) figure out how to rob trains right, and then hook up with Jack Budd (Ken Pogue), a man with a proper reputation, who helps them lay low in his town. They get a job in a local mine, but soon after Budd begins using their real talents. In the midst of all the drama that excites the area the old-timer bumps into an emotionally available and slightly controversial local socialite (Jackie Burroughs), and after they impress each other during a series of dates the two begin a romantic relationship, with the latter assuming that the object of her affection is just an old-fashioned and slightly awkward gentleman. As time passes by the old-timer decides to give up his real ‘profession’ and settle down, but an unexpected visitor from the south changes his plan.

What makes Phillip Borsos’ first feature film so different and interesting is the fact that it refuses to play by the conventional rules ‘good’ westerns have to follow. For example, its action has only a decorative role, so the mythical image of the West is never allowed to flourish. Also, the humility of its characters is so nicely captured that it becomes a lot more attractive than the progression of their relationships. Then there is the presence of nature, which gives the film its identity but is downplayed so that it does not erode its realism. All of this makes the film look very simple and yet strikingly original.

Without Farnsworth’s performance, however, the film would have been something else entirely. The man does not act before the camera. As soon as he exits San Quentin Prison he becomes Miner, and for the rest of the film everything that he says and does looks entirely legit. This isn’t an exaggerated description; it is an entirely accurate description of an extraordinary performance that should have been recognized with multiple awards.

This release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K restoration that was color-graded in a very particular way that gives the film a wonderful colder palate. According to its producer, Peter O’Brian, it was intended because it is reflective of the Canadian West.

Michael Conway Baker delivered a beautiful chamber soundtrack with simple but very effective folk and classic themes that work perfectly with the film’s ambience and drama.

The Grey Fox Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Grey Fox arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

Restoration: The release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K restoration that was completed by Kino Lorber. It is clearly the best presentation of the film, but it has one minor flaw that I have to point out. I don't know how the 4K files were scanned, but there is quite a bit of noticeable movement within the frame. (A pin-registered film scanner would have eliminated the issue, but I am unsure how the scan was finalized). So, regardless of your screen, you will almost certainly notice the less-than-optimal stability. The rest looks great. I particularly liked the color-grading job, which gives the film a very specific and in my opinion very effective Northern ambience.

Technical Presentation: Unfortunately, the encoding is underwhelming. There is a lot of footage where the grain very clearly struggles and in close-ups actually becomes disappointingly mushy/noisy. Artifacts pop up as well, so the larger your screen is, the easier it will be for you to spot them. In darker areas delineation also isn't as good as it should be, and it is not the 4K master that produces the anomalies -- it is very clearly the encoding. Some of these issues can be partially avoided if you can upscale to 4K -- basically the image becomes 'tighter' and hides the artifacts -- but it is disappointing that encoding optimizations were not made to ensure that the film looks as good as it should. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Grey Fox Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I thought that the lossless track was outstanding. It was very clear, crisp, and stable. Balance was also very good, though there are portions of the film with some minor dynamic fluctuations that emerge during the group action. The dialog is clean and very easy to follow.

The Grey Fox Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Theatrical Trailer - a re-release trailer for the new 4K restoration of The Grey Fox. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• About the Restoration - in this new program, Bret Wood, archivist/producer at Kino Lorber, discusses the recent 4K restoration of The Grey Fox. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p).

• Michael Conway Baker - in this new video interview, composer Michael Conway Baker recalls how he was tasked to score The Grey Fox and discusses his interactions with director Phillip Borsos as well as the reception and success of his film. In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).

• Peter O'Brian - in this new video interview, producer Peter O'Brian discusses his involvement with The Grey Fox and work with director Phillip Borsos. There are also some very interesting observations about the film's tone and atmosphere. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Commentary - an exclusive new audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox.

The Grey Fox Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I found in The Grey Fox everything that I always wanted to discover in Matewan but never did. It is a special kind of western featuring a truly magical performance by Richard Farnsworth that should have been recognized with multiple prestigious awards. The folks at Kino Lorber recently restored the film in 4K and I am grateful to have it on Blu-ray, but I found the technical presentation of the restoration a tad underwhelming. Regardless, consider adding the film to your collections. RECOMMENDED.