The Ox-Bow Incident Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

The Ox-Bow Incident Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 10, 2016

It’s interesting to welcome the Blu-ray release of 1943’s “The Ox-Bow Incident,” as its story of intolerance and mob mentality is more relevant today than it was back then. It’s a striking discovery and a classic motion picture, which uses traditional western elements to secure familiarity as it explores the challenges of rational thinking in a difficult situation of feverish condemnation. Director William A. Wellman guides an efficient adaptation of Walter Van Tilburg Clark’s celebrated novel, wisely keeping his most powerful screen weapon, Henry Fonda’s lead performance, front and center.

The old west in “The Ox-Bow Incident” isn’t a place of defined heroism, but a darker place of longing, finding a nomadic type like Gil (Fonda) futilely trying to secure normality as he returns to claim a lost loved one. He’s soon caught up in a troubling stand-off over murder and messy accusations, with men’s lives on the line as a lynch mob forms and justice is summoned through aggression, not thought. “The Ox-Bow Incident” has excitable moments, but the feature keeps to a meditative mood, with Gil trying to address reason with those who blindly condemn. Tensions are carefully stoked, and larger points on human behavior are made with care, delivering a strong message on the unpredictability of violence and the need for participants to act with logic, not mindless submission.

The Ox-Bow Incident Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is billed as a "4K Restoration," and delivers a clean viewing experience for "The Ox-Bow Incident," with the source largely free of speckling and scratches. Clarity isn't quite up to expectation, offering a softer, ever so slightly blurred appearance. Detail isn't completely wiped away, but textures aren't sensational for a title that's been recently worked on. Delineation is strong, handling the feature's evening encounters and shadow play well.

The Ox-Bow Incident Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix preserves the picture's delicate dramatic moods, with dialogue exchanges handling performances with depth, maintaining the material's irritability and its silence. Music hits sharper and louder, but not distractingly so. Group activity is managed comfortably, and western atmosphere registers as intended.

The Ox-Bow Incident Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features western scholar Dick Eulain and William Wellman Jr.

• "Henry Fonda: Hollywood's Quiet Hero" (44:51, SD) is a 1997 documentary on the legendary actor, providing sizable biographical information that helps illuminate Fonda's creative choices and obligations, while identifying the particulars of his family life. There's much to be learned about Fonda here, with interviewees such as Jane Fonda, Richard Dreyfuss, and Anthony Quinn sharing their admiration (and astonishment) for the performer and his quest to challenge himself.

• "2002 Restoration Demo" (2:52) showcases the work needed to bring "The Ox-Bow Incident" into the HD realm -- a project that required extensive labor due to a lost original camera negative.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:15, SD) is included.

The Ox-Bow Incident Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Ox-Bow Incident" is a grim picture, but intentionally so, working to provide a chilling example of subtle evil, taking its lasting effect to an organically dire conclusion. Powerful dramatics are present throughout, but it's Fonda who remains the screen's most appealing element, delivering exceptional work as Gil, who comes to represent the voice of sanity in a blizzard of easily swayed locals. It's perhaps Fonda's finest hour, and thankfully there's a sensitive, chilling feature to support his emotional journey.