6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
After his brother the sheriff is murdered, Bat Masterson is elected to the job and is determined to find the killer and make Dodge City safe.
Starring: Joel McCrea, Julie Adams, John McIntire, Nancy Gates, Richard Anderson (I)Western | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
1959’s “The Gunfight at Dodge City” arrived two years after the Burt Lancaster/Kirk Douglas production, “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” perhaps attempting to cash in on a trend by following a fringe character into a new realm of western hostilities. The saga of Bat Masterson (played by Joel McCrea) is explored in “The Gunfight at Dodge City,” with the production aiming to revive the same sense of cowboy justice in a civilized area, largely succeeding when it comes to the display of cheap thrills.
The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) definitely shows its age, with slightly faded colors and a general fatigued look. It's hardly distracting, but evident, along with some mild flicker during the viewing experience. Detail is comfortable but never striking, staying within distinct cinematographic limitations for the era, which also offers a slightly distortive stretch on the left side of the frame during certain shots. Hues aren't exceptional, but they express western decoration and location adequately. Delineation isn't challenged, but limited evening encounters are easy to read. Source shows some wear and tear, but no overt damage is detected.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built to wow, registering a plain rendering of elements. Dialogue exchanges are clear enough to follow, with the rare emotional surge kept comfortable, without distortion. Scoring is steady and communicative, and while it doesn't emerge crisply, it handles functionally, selling the moment. Crowd interactions and town atmospherics are acceptable. Hiss is detected throughout.
The screenplay makes a transparent attempt to warm up the picture with a feminine touch, but it doesn't completely take. "The Gunfight at Dodge City" is better with steely men engaged in staring contests, working through their issues in a theatrical manner. Dramatic refinement isn't welcome here, leaving the effort feeling small. However, when it remains fixated on western instincts and McCrea's screen authority, "The Gunfight at Dodge City" is entertaining and periodically exciting.
2019
1961
1955
Warner Archive Collection
1956
1971
1958
1971
Limited Edition to 3000
1966
1957
El Perdido
1961
1972
1965
1951
Warner Archive Collection
1955
1969
1939
1976
1969
Limited Edition to 3000
1959
1985