Bend of the River - Jimmy Stewart

(aka 'Bend of the Snake' or 'Where the River Bends')

USA 1952

Glyn McLyntock (James Stewart) is escorting a wagon train to Portland, when he stops to save Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy) from being lynched. The new buddies help fight off a pack of marauding Indians as the settlers bunk down for the evening, but their friendship eventually turns to a bitter hatred fueled by the greed of the crazed Gold Rush fever. Gambler Trey Wilson (Rock Hudson) is choosing sides. Making new vows Glyn must face his notorious past to join the familial settlement on the river's bend.

One of the best of the Anthony Mann / James Stewart team-ups - and many of these are in a very esteemed class of the western genre. After the quintessential Winchester '73 - the studio used the same producer and writer in hopes of further success. Add Technicolor into the mix and the inherent problems that Gold-fever and tempted pioneers were facing and we have another simple narrative classic of the genre with defining heroes and those twisted by desire for money. out of

Gary W. Tooze

Poster

Theatrical Release: January 23rd, 1952 - Oregon - USA

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DVD Comparison:

Universal (Westerns Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal (James Stewart - The Western Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	Universal Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC	Universal Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:31:06	1:31:06
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.74 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.74 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, Spanish, French, None	English, Spanish, French, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Universal Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailer (4:3) - 1:48 DVD Release Date: May 6th, 2003 Keep Case Chapters: 20	Release Information: Studio: Universal Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical trailer (4:3) - 1:48 set contains - Destry Rides Again / Winchester 73 / Bend of the River / The Far Country / Night Passage / The Rare Breed DVD Release Date: May 20th, 2008 Slim transparent Case (6 inside box) Chapters: 20

Comments:

ADDITION: James Stewart - The Western Collection contains Destry Rides Again / Winchester 73 / Bend of the River / The Far Country / Night Passage and The Rare Breed. These two Bend of the River editions are exactly the same - same 2003-dated VOB files. The only difference is that the cover is now a transparent slimcase with black and white art.

I'd still VERY high on this James Stewart - The Western Collection of which we will review/compare each title as we can (links in paragraph above). For these six western gems the price amounts to $5 a piece which is really a ridiculous deal.

ON THE ORIGINAL RELEASE: Don't fret over the Universal screen warning "This film has been modified from its original version. It has been formatted to fit your screen." - it was shot in 1.37 and this is how it is presented on this DVD. Dark with no digital manipulation and good colors, although skin tones seem quite reddish. This is a very sharp image and Universal have got a few of these from their Westerns Collection really right. No extras save a trailer but a damn good western and an above average image - tack on decent subtitles, original audio and a reasonable price and the formula equals - must buy status! out of

Gary W. Tooze

James Stewart - The Western Collection package