The White Buffalo Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

The White Buffalo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 21, 2023

J. Lee Thompson's "The White Buffalo" (1977) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by author and film historian Paul Talbot and vintage promotional materials for the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

A decade separates The White Buffalo and Will Penny and they tell very different stories. These films were made by directors that had very different styles as well. It is probably fair to say that J. Lee Thompson, who directed The White Buffalo, was the more versatile director, but he produced a rather substantial number of disappointing films. Tom Gries, who directed Will Penny, did not direct any genuinely disappointing films. A few of Gries’ films did not meet expectations, but they still introduced memorable characters and turned out quite entertaining.

The White Buffalo was the final film that Charles Bronson made with the legendary Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis. In years past, I always thought that it was their weakest collaboration. I have not changed my mind, but after viewing its new 2K makeover, I am beginning to think that perhaps my take on it needs to be updated as well.

Bronson becomes Wild Bill Hickok who returns to the Great White North to hunt a massive albino buffalo that keeps reappearing in his dreams. When the camera provides the first proper look at Bronson, which comes as he rides a train, he looks a lot like Charleton Heston does very early into Will Penny. He is past his prime, a man who can no longer appear threatening to his enemies, but intriguingly unpredictable. I have to admit that I do not recall seeing Bronson this way in the past, which was an instant red flag because I must have been focused on the quality of the story and obviously the action. So, as Bronson reached his destination and began encountering various characters who knew him from his better days, I intentionally shifted my attention away from his obsession with the albino buffalo, which made quite a difference. Suddenly, I started seeing a complex character whose return to the Great White North was an attempt to end a chapter in his life and start a new one that will ultimately be his final. In Will Penny, Heston sets out to accomplish the same, though the film presents him with a different path to reach his destination.

If you are beginning to think that I am doing my best to sell The White Buffalo as a film about a unique spiritual journey, you are wrong. Or, at least partially wrong. What do I mean? The albino buffalo is a huge character, and its pursuit in the Great White North is unquestionably the main attraction. However, this film is also about self-reflection and accepting the changes that come with aging. I think that this is precisely the reason Bronson is paired with his old friend Charlie Zane (Jack Warden) and the brave Indian warrior Crazy Horse (Will Sampson), who like him have more time behind them than in front of them and are using the pursuit of the albino buffalo to reevaluate and reset their lives in particular ways. Bronson’s old friend does it unintentionally, only after his bigotry is questioned, while the Indian warrior, like Bronson, is fully aware of the significance of his involvement with the pursuit.

There is one other major similarity between Bronson and Heston that is worth pointing out. When Bronson arrives in the town where he was once a star, he encounters an old mistress (Kim Novak) and visits her room. She attempts to make love to Bronson, and it is very easy to tell that she is eager to rekindle their relationship as well. Bronson turns her down twice. His excuse not to make love to her is that he is too tired, but the real reason is that he already feels too old on the inside. At the end of Will Penny, a beautiful younger woman asks Heston to start a relationship with her, but he also turns her down. His reason for doing so is the same, but he is not afraid to reveal it.

Thompson and cinematographer Paul Lohmann give The White Buffalo a rich, authentic appearance that is also very attractive. However, old complaints that the special effects throughout the film could have been more convincing are entirely justified. Before teaming up with Thompson, Lohmann worked with Robert Altman on California Split and Nashville, and a few years later with Ted Kotcheff on North Dallas Forty.

The White Buffalo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

The White Buffalo made its high-definition debut with this release, also from Kino Lorber, in 2015, which was sourced from an old and quite underwhelming master that comes from the DVD era. This recent release is sourced from an exclusive new 2K master that was struck from an interpositive. It is quite the revelation because now viewing The White Buffalo is a pretty different experience.

Well-lit and darker footage look quite a bit better, and backgrounds routinely reveal superior finer nuances. On the previous release, which was also encoded with improper gamma levels, distracting flatness and softness is practically everywhere. Delineation, clarity, and depth are very pleasing, though I have to say that there is room for various meaningful improvements. For example, darker areas should convey more convincing shadow nuances, while some of the daylight panoramic footage can have even better highlights. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. However, grain exposure could be a bit uneven. Color balance is good and stable. But this is another area where meaningful improvements can be made, and if they are, the dynamic range of the visuals will be better as well. While viewing the new 2K makeover, I noticed quite a few small surface imperfections, like dark spots, blemishes, and dirt. However, there are no large distracting cuts, warped or torn frames to report. (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 White Buffalo 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.

John Barry's soundtrack is expected to do a lot to create, not enhance, plenty of very particular atmosphere. I think that the lossless track handles it rather nicely. However, there are some areas where dynamic balance is a bit uneven. It is very difficult to tell whether they are inherited. I think that the majority of them probably are, but I also think that with current technology the soundtrack can be strengthened and repolished quite well. I did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review.

The White Buffalo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by film historian Paul Talbot, author of the Bronson's Loose! books. You probably already know that I consider Mr. Talbot the ultimate authority on everything that has anything to do with Charles Bronson, and that I find his commentaries incredibly informative and enjoyable. This commentary does not put a dent on Mr. Talbot's record. It offers terrific information about the production of The White Buffalo, Bronson's relationship with producer Dino De Laurentiis, J. Lee Thompson's direction and the visual style of the film, the quality of the special effects, etc.

• Trailer - presented here is a remastered vintage trailer for The White Buffalo. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• TV Spots - presented here are four remastered TV spots for The White Buffalo. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Cover - a reversible cover with vintage poster for the The White Buffalo.

The White Buffalo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you enjoy The White Buffalo or happen to be a Charles Bronson completist, this recent release from Kino Lorber should be on your radar. It is sourced from an exclusive new 2K master that offers a much better and all-around more convincing organic presentation of the film than the label's original release from 2015 does. Also, it features a predictably outstanding new audio commentary by film historian Paul Talbot, who is the ultimate authority on all things Bronson. RECOMMENDED.