7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Set in Mexico, a nun called Sara is rescued from three cowboys by Hogan, who is on his way to do some reconnaissance, for a future mission to capture a French fort. The French are chasing Sara, but not for the reasons she tells Hogan, so he decides to help her in return for information about the fort defenses.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Shirley MacLaine, Manuel Fábregas, Alberto Morin, Armando SilvestreWestern | 100% |
War | 38% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
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 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Don Siegel's "Two Mules for Sister Sara" (1970) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include archival interview with Clint Eastwood; new audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox; and vintage promotional materials. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Two Mules for Sister Sara arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Video.
The release features two versions of the film which have been restored in 4K. I viewed the longer International Cut, which is actually the only one that I have seen in the past.
There is only one aspect of the new restoration that troubles me a bit: the color grading. Indeed, even though the primaries and supporting nuances look very similar to those of the previous release, I remain unconvinced that they are in fact entirely correct. There are a lot of soft yellowish hues that suppress most blue nuances in ways that frequently appear unnatural. In some areas blacks also become quite thick, causing crushing, though I should say that most of it is also exacerbated by the condition of the element that was used to prepare the new master (examples can be seen in sceencaptures #26 and 30). The rest looks really, really good. Delineation and depth range from very good to excellent. Density levels are solid as well. As you can see now, the new master is free of problematic digital corrections. Image stability is outstanding. Finally, I did not see any distracting large debris, 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).
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. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
There are no technical anomalies to report in our review. Ennio Morricone's soundtrack breathes quite easily throughout the film, but in terms of dynamic intensity there is hardly any material that could make an impression. Perhaps the attack of the fort at the end of the film could be a bit more exciting, but overall dynamic intensity is modest. The dialog is clean and easy to follow.
DISC ONE: INTERNATIONAL CUT
It is impossible to place Don Siegel's Two Mules for Sister Sara amongst Clint Eastwood's great westerns because it feels a bit like an experiment that did not quite turn out as it should. Budd Boetticher's screenplay introduces character arcs that I think make it awfully difficult for the two leads to connect the right way, and once you realize that their characters are expected to do very specific things to make each other appear legit, the comedy and romance become a tad too sweet. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K restoration, which currently offers the best presentation of the film. RECOMMENDED.
1972
1954
1970
1930
1966
1959
1973
Limited Edition
1965
Limited Edition to 3000
1965
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1975
Limited Edition to 3000
1924
Warner Archive Collection
1950
1959
1953
1969
1923
1969
1959
1968
50th Anniversary
1961