8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A senator revisits the city he became famous. At a funeral for a mysterious man, the senator tells the story of how his paths crossed with this stranger and why a hero became forgotten by history.
Starring: John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O'BrienWestern | 100% |
Drama | 81% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital Mono (192 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital Mono (224 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono (224 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Paramount has released the classic 1962 John Ford Western 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' to remastered Blu-ray as part of the studio's prestigious 'Paramount Presents' line. This new Blu-ray is currently bundled with the UHD and it is currently the only way to own this film on remastered Blu-ray; Paramount previously released the film to Blu-ray in 2017, and while this presentation is that disc's superior, the previous presentation does still hold up as an overall very solid, good-looking one, but fans should find this well worth the upgrade for both Blu-ray and UHD video. Note that this release does also include a plethora of bonus content; the previous 2017 issue was bare-bones.
This newly remastered 1080p Blu-ray presentation of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance soars above the previous Blu-ray, offering an even more impressively organic and truly faithful and filmic presentation. The grain management here excels, offering a powerfully cinematic feel and flow that compliments the razor-sharp textures that are not significantly amplified over the previous Blu-ray but that do manage to squeeze out a bit more clarity and intricacy to all of the critical components, such as faces, clothes, wood, and furnishings. There's a satisfying depth to the image as well. The grayscale is more dynamic here, with a broad range and more faithful gradations. Black levels are deeper and purer, and whites are generally crisper and more natural. There are no source blemishes or compression artifacts to note. This is a wonderful Blu-ray upgrade from Paramount.
Paramount has included a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack for this release, which is in addition to an "English Restored Mono" track. The mono track offers a very good listen. Fidelity is excellent, dialogue images very nicely to the center, and front side stretch is tangible if not somewhat aggressive. The 5.1 track holds to similar characteristics. Dialogue is grounded in the center. Stretch to the front sides is not particularly bountiful with any of the content, but adequate when necessary. The surrounds carry almost no information, and the subwoofer is not engaged to any significant extent. Both are fine tracks within the film's audio parameters and needs within its original sound design, but purists will want to listen to the restored mono track for the most authentic experience possible.
Unlike the previous 2017 release of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, this new Blu-ray includes a host of new supplemental content. As it
ships in the "Paramount Presents" UHD set, a fold-open slipcover and digital copy code are included.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is unquestionably a classic and one of the top Westerns ever made. The simple story is supported by legendary performances, nuanced characterization, expert direction, dramatic depth, and vivid storytelling. Paramount's newly remastered Blu-ray, currently only available bundled in with the UHD, contains a broad spectrum of new bonus content. The remastered video is terrific and the carryover 5.1 and restored mono audio tracks are quite good. The UHD video presentation is superior, but this Blu-ray is also very, very good. As part of the larger package, it earns my highest recommendation.
1962
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