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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (November 2021): Indicator have transferred Andrew V. McLaglen's Hellfighters to Blu-ray. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio image has strong moments but overall can look fairly modest in terms of the print density. Colors show some pleasing depth (the highly visible red uniforms, silver protection suits and fire/explosions.) Contrast in the exteriors can look slightly less than ideal. This still appears to be a strong replication of the source material. The 1080P provides, an occasionally, riveting HD presentation.

NOTE: We have added 45 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator offer a linear PCM stereo track or the option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track - described as "original 6-track sound mix presented as 5.1 surround audio". Both are 24-bit in the original English language. Hellfighters has plenty of aggressive moments that come through with bass intensity, and surprising separations, via the surround. The score is by Leonard Rosenman (Prophecy, Rebel Without a Cause, The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond, Fantastic Voyage, Countdown, Hide in Plain Sight and A Man Called Horse) and supports both the heavy action sequences and passive moments without overwhelming the video. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a commentary by C. Courtney Joyner and Henry Parke. They are so knowledgeable (often first hand) on the production mentioning prominence to the great matte supervisor Albert Whitlock, cinematographer William H. Clothier, director McLaglen career - including his evolution to westerns and his extensive TV work. They discuss that this is not a 'Batjac' effort - the independent film production company co-founded by John Wayne, but is from Universal, who bought the rights, with what they identify as telltale signatures to the production. It's always revealing to hear these guys chat about the film with enthusiasm sharing stories of the industry. A solid addition. Indicator also add a BFI Interview with Andrew V. McLaglen from 1999 playing to the film. It is an archival audio recording of the director in conversation with David Lewin at the National Film Theatre. It runs almost exactly 1 hour. We also get a new (2021) career-spanning appraisal of Andrew V. McLaglen entitled "The Rare Breed" by film archivist Tom Vincent running shy of 1/2 hour. There is a new 20-minute audio-only interview with Edward Faulkner as the stalwart character actor reminisces with C. Courtney Joyner. Indicator include newsreel footage of Red Adair (the innovator in the highly specialized and hazardous profession of extinguishing and capping oil well blowouts - on whom the film is based on) fighting blazes in the Sahara and a second with footage of the North Sea. You can access a Super 8 version - original cut-down home-cinema presentation of Hellfighters running 7.5 minutes. Lastly, are an original theatrical trailer and their usual image gallery of promotional and publicity material. The package has a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Andrew Nette, archival articles on the film and the events that inspired it, an overview of critical responses, and film credits. It is limited to 3,000 copies.

While the Indicator Blu-ray is, easily, the most supplement-stacked digital edition of Andrew V. McLaglen's Hellfighters (and has the desirable 6-track sound mix) the film doesn't offer much of an appealing edge, relying on 'The Duke's standard no-nonsense persona, decent, attractive support from Katharine Ross, Jim Hutton and Vera Miles plus Wayne / McLaglen regulars. It ends up being less engaging, in my opinion, but does have the anticipated appeal for those seeking escape with another John Wayne brisk, heroic, actioner. This is, really, not such a bad thing at all. For those keen, the Indicator Blu-ray is certainly the definitive edition to own. To those fans, this is recommended!

Gary Tooze