The Last Frontier - Victor Mature

(aka 'Savage Wilderness')

USA 1955

Victor Mature is in rare form in this otherwise uneven cavalry Western about a trapper who prevents a Little Big Horn-type disaster. Having been robbed of a year's worth of skins by marauding Indians, Jed Cooper (Mature), Gus Hideout (James Whitmore), and Mungo (Pat Hogan) sign on at a nearby fort. Jed, however, falls in love with Corinna (Anne Bancroft), the refined wife of the commanding officer, Colonel Marston (Robert Preston), and when the latter begins to plan an all-out attack on an unruly Indian tribe, he attempts to prevent what, in all likelihood, will be a mass slaughter. Based on a novel by Richard Emery Roberts, The Last Frontier was re-released to television as Savage Wilderness and came complete with a rousing title song performed by Rusty Draper.

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 7th, 1955 - NY, NY

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Comparison:

Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1, 2, 3, 4 - NTSC vs. Koch Media - Region FREE - Blu-ray

1) Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC LEFT

2) Koch - Region FREE - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Cover
Distribution	Columbia Tri-Star Home Video - Region 1, 2, 3, 4 - NTSC	Koch - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:37:54	1:37:59.707
Video	2.53:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.72 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 24,548,642,412 bytes Feature: 22,586,677,248 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 26.73 Mbps
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate: Blu-ray
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 3.0)	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1113 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1113 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 896 kbps / 16-bit) DUB: DTS-HD Master Audio German 1014 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1014 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 896 kbps / 16-bit)
Subtitles	English, Japanese, None	English, German, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 2.53:1 Edition Details: • Previews (trailers) DVD Release Date: September 6th, 2005 Keep Case Chapters: 12	Release Information: Studio: Koch 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 24,548,642,412 bytes Feature: 22,586,677,248 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 26.73 Mbps Edition Details: • Gallery (1:43) • Explosive Media Trailer (9:35) Blu-ray Release Date: December 27th, 2017 Transparent Blu-ray case Chapters 11

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Koch - Region FREE - Blu-ray - January 19': The Koch (Explosive Media) transfer is 1080P but imperfect although it is a darn-sight improved over the 2005 SD. The visuals tighten and lose the greenish hue but I still get the feeling that it could look ever better with a higher bitrate. There is still a digital softness. Still, on the positive the slightly brighter image shows depth, consistent colors and layered contrast that marks it as a vast improvement over the 'pictureboxed' DVD.

The audio is offered in a 16-bit DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track in the original English with an optional German DUB. There are typical aggressive western effects and a rousing score by Leigh Harline (The Farmer's Daughter, No Down Payment, Pickup on South Street, 23 Paces to Baker Street, House of Bamboo, Broken Lance) that supports the film throughout the film which is bookended with Rusty Draper singing the The Last Frontier theme. There are optional English (see sample below) or German subtitles on this Region FREE locked Blu-ray.

Only a Gallery and group of five western trailers in 1080P (also on Blu-ray by Explosive Media.) They do look good!

This is not top tier Anthony Mann - but it still a strong western from a master filmmaker. The Vic Mature character is full of life and adventure and I love early Anne Bancroft. Fans of the genre will enjoy the heck out of this - I've seen it 4 or 5 times. It's not a title that is scheduled for another HD release anytime soon... so this Region FREE Blu-ray is a good option - just make sure you get it cheap.

***

ON THE DVD: This is a very dark image with some green overhang. Not especially sharp with dull colors - the image is not maximized for resolution having black borders surrounding it within the frame (Pictureboxed). It is a shame as there is some exceptionally good cinematography in this film (and great wide ratio! with some 'Cinemascope Mumps') - typical of Mann utilizing the splendid outdoors. Yellow optional subtitles and no extras have become a new trademark of how Columbia are treating old films. It is a Mann western though and for that reason alone - a valued part of my collection.