Yellow Sky Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Yellow Sky Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 1, 2016

There’s nothing out to shock audiences in 1948’s “Yellow Sky,” which puts most of its effort into the basics of western entertainment. It’s all about outlaws and moral choices, unruly men and tamed women, working up excitement in the middle of Death Valley National Park, which gives the picture an atmospheric authenticity. Visually, “Yellow Sky” is interesting to study, with director William A. Wellman securing bigness for a movie that’s light on engrossing dramatics, finding western touches and creative achievements far more compelling that the unfolding story, which comes off mild and uneventful.

Gregory Peck stars as the leader of a bank robbing gang on the run, finding their way to a ghost town inhabited by few, stirring up pack dynamic as hostilities and suspicions emerge. Although adapted from a W.R. Burnett novel (screenplay by Lamar Trotti), the feature remains thin on confrontations, saving most of its energy for interplay between Peck’s character and Anne Baxter, who portrays a volatile young woman forced to defend her broken homestead. Although the writing ultimately succumbs to an era-appropriate taming of female spirit, “Yellow Sky” embraces the character’s pluck for the most part, keeping the personality hostile alongside gruff men. Innovation is in short supply here, as much of “Yellow Sky” is comprised of prolonged threats and southwest exploration, following the gang as they suffer through environmental challenges to accentuate their personal problems.

Yellow Sky Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation comes through with encouraging clarity, finding detail capable throughout the viewing experience. There's substantial room to explore, with locations and costuming textured, while distances are secured. Black and white cinematography is balanced comfortably, though day for night sequences are easily identified, periodically solidifying delineation. Source is in relatively decent shape, absent major points of damage. Speckling and vertical scratching remains.

Yellow Sky Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers impressive comfort considering the age of the movie, rarely hitting shrill highs and muddy lows to disrupt consistency. Dialogue exchanges are satisfactory, handling faster dramatic readings and excitable moments. Scoring isn't precise, but it's secure, communicating intended moods. Atmospherics aren't intrusive, conjuring location visits. Some crackling is present, but never distracting.

Yellow Sky Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features William Wellman Jr.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:40, SD) is included.

Yellow Sky Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Yellow Sky" doesn't feel stage bound, taking advantage of its surroundings, creating a sweltering atmosphere as the men make their way across an endless expanse. Highlights from the movie are almost exclusive to the Death Valley visits, which bring out tension the rest of the feature doesn't possess. Certainly elements of "Yellow Sky" haven't aged well, and the picture is lacking in action, but when it takes time to explore the great outdoors, it conjures impressive irritability and fatigue.