Review by Gary W. Tooze
Warner (USA)
2.41:1 1080p
2:14:20
Audio: DD Plus 5.1 English
Subtitles: Optional English SDH, French or Spanish
Extras: Commentary by Mark Rydell, Featurette: The Cowboys Together
Again, Vintage Featurette: The Breaking of Boys and the Making of
Men, Theatrical trailer
Released: June 5th, 2007
HD-DVD case
37 chapters
The Film:
I get quite fed up when I read lackluster reviews of films that I really enjoyed. This is a prime example. "The Cowboys" embodies all that makes westerns and young boys adventure stories enjoyable. It shows nobility, honor, despicable evil and pure innocence all wrapped up in a male-bonding road picture.
After Wil Anderson (played by 60 year old John Wayne) loses his cowhands to Gold Rush fever, the gruff rancher is forced to hire 11 schoolboys to help him on a 400-mile cattle run. Joining them is a philosophical black cook (Roscoe Lee Browne) who is another strong representation of a father figure. The boys are put to the test... they learn, mature and eventually seek vengeance on a bitter ex-con (Bruce Dern) who is out to rustle the herd. Capturing the natural surroundings of deep forests, grassy plains and the open skies of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Colorado, previously unremarkable director Mark Rydell had all the universal tumblers click into place with this early effort. Wayne was as real as he has ever been and the cow-boys could almost be considered neo-realistic as the majority were child rodeo stars never having acted in a film before. I LOVE every detail about this film.
Rydell discovered the novel when it was still unpublished, and sold the idea for the film to Warner Brothers. For the cattle-drive scenes, there were 1,600 cattle and more than 100 horses used. In the short featurette included in the DVD Rydell has stated that making THE COWBOYS was one of the greatest experiences of his life and watching this film blossom on screen, just as the young cowboys did, I can see why - many consider it the last great western. I do.
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Video: Granted I have only a dozen HD DVDs, but this is the best motion picture image I have of the new format so far. (NOTE: The best overall image in my opinion is from the TV series Planet Earth: the Complete BBC Series HD - review coming soon - and I reserve the right to put Casablanca into a category of its own due to the film's age). I suppose that first sentence let the cat out of the bag but I think this digital image is absolutely marvelous. While the original DVD from 1998 was fairly dull showing dirt and speckles, the Deluxe SD DVD is brighter but still shows some artifacts. But the new HD really exemplifies the subtle camerawork of the majestic vistas of New Mexico and Colorado. It is much brighter, incredibly sharper and brilliantly detailed.
Original release from October 1998
* HD image derived from a digital camera - do not weigh comparative examples too heavily. Framing, color and contrast and not to our usual exacting specifications.
Audio:
The only English audio track is an occasionally intense Dolby Digital Plus 5.1
mix (there is a 5.1 French DUB and a mono Spanish one). The audio
beautifully represents the powerful John Williams score, but is
balanced for the clear consistent dialogue. NOTE: The overture, entr'acte, and exit music were
never used in the film's general release prints, but they are included
on all three Warner DVDs. Bravo!
Optional English SDH ,French or Spanish subtitles support the audio.
Extras: The
original DVD release had a light commentary by Rydell ,
a vintage featurette: The Breaking of Boys and the Making of
Men, plus a theatrical trailer. All are added on the
Deluxe and HD versions plus another new featurette
The Cowboys Together Again where Rydell, Roscoe
Lee Browne, Bruce Dern, A Martinez and others - plus Robert Carradine
(via tape) - reminisce about the film they made in 102 days over 35
years ago, working with The Duke and how the experience shaped
their careers and lives.
Supplements
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An insert advertises other Warner HD-DVDs.
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