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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (July 2022): Kino have transferred Tab Murphy's Last of the Dogmen to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Newly Restored from a 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative – Color Graded and Approved by Director Tab Murphy and Cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub". It looks gorgeous in 1080P with stunning locations at Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, Yoho National Park, British Columbia and Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Colors are true and deep with excellent contrast, impressive detail in close-ups and frequent depth exported in the HD presentation. It looked fabulous on my system.

NOTE: We have added 70 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit) in both 5.1 and stereo in the original English language. This includes a third-person narration, by Wilford Brimley, version - for both lossless audio options. Last of the Dogmen has a few very aggressive moments of conflict with gunfire, a helicopter in one later scene, waterfalls and some prevalent tension with a few subtle separations making there way to the rear speakers. There is a beautiful score by David Arnold (Zoolander, Hot Fuzz, Casino Royale, Independence Day) sounding supportive and buoyant elevating certain scenes with graceful precision. It sounds as crisp as it looks. Kino offer optional English and English (with narration) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by writer/director Tab Murphy, producer Joel B. Michaels, moderated by Douglas Hosdale of Kino. Murphy discuses his love for Native American mythology. They describe scouting locations, why it had to be shot outside of the United States (because of the funding) and many facets of the production, working with the actors, the weather, the high altitude in Mexico, continuity, alternate endings and much more. There is a TV spot, theatrical trailer and has a slipcase.  

Tab Murphy's Last of the Dogmen was his feature directorial debut - and his only one to date. He wrote the screenplay in the early 80s and it is described as a 'western fantasy'. I loved the premise but wasn't fully invested in characters finding it became Disney-esque in the final stages. Not bad by any stretch just lacking the realism of the first half. In actuality it seemed kind of silly to me with an unnecessary dose of inferred morality, clichéd police responses, and a less-believable romance. The Kino Blu-ray offers so much with the director preferred version without narration, the option of the Wilford Brimley narrated version, a director commentary and handsome O-card slipcase package. Last of the Dogmen requires a leap of faith, but is a solid, old fashioned, family movie looking gorgeous, and sounding impressive, in this format.

Gary Tooze