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

ADDITION- Warner Archive - Blu-ray - April, 2018 - A solid western with great performances from Cooper and Malden. Warner Archives gives us a new 1080p, dual-layered disc with a maxed out bitrate. The luscious landscapes of the Washington set (filmed in and around Mt. Rainier National Park) tend to pop out in 1080p. Certain shots are inconsistent in quality (see the cap of Rune - actor Ben Piazza - on the horse). This inconsistency is not overwhelming, as I only noticed it at the start of the film, and then only sporadically. The lack of clarity in these shots is most likely due to the source print available to Warner. That said, there is hardly any visible damage and the image is an obvious bump-up over the previous SD transfers. The color is noticeably upgraded due to the high resolution. Greens and blues especially look darker and much richer- flesh tones warm significantly. The 1.78:1 transfer shows more information than in the previous Warner DVD release (especially in the top and bottom of the frame).

Iconic Max Steiner's (Tomorrow is Forever, Sergeant York, Key Largo, Casablanca, The Caine Mutiny, Bird of Paradise, Beyond the Forest, Pursued etc. etc.) score sounds great in DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel (24-bit). The usual western sound effects (guns, horses, busy saloons) all sound clear and well represented. English SDH subtitles are included.

Warner gives us the trailer for the film as the sole extra.

Fans of the Western genre would be wise to pick up this disc. The Blu-ray image quality is an obvious bump over the previous DVD incarnations. The SDH English subtitles are also a welcome addition. Though the only extra featured is a trailer for the film, the transfer of the audio and video is worth the (affordable) purchase alone. Highly recommended

Colin Zavitz

***

ADDITION- Warner Archive - September 2012 - Big improvement with this Warner Archive release. As well as the Technicolor colors being far bolder - this is now widescreen although slightly bastardized at 1.78:1 - marginally cropped (top and bottom) from the Open-matte transfer. It is dual-layered and anamorphic - a vastly superior representation. Steiner's score sounds uplifting in the standard Dolby. there are no subtitles but a trailer is offered as an extra. This is easily the best option for digital home viewing. Great western - go for it!

***

ON THE PAL EDITION: Progressive transfer here from Warner Europe - dual-layered (7.37 Gig), a strong bitrate and few artefacts. Colors are a very dull and washed and I see no apparent digital manipulations to correct the muddy colors of the print used. The film is fairly dark. Image quality is surprisingly sharp for a film this old. I am unsure of the correct aspect ratio but composition seems quite acceptable at 1.33:1 and the image is tight to the frame, but it is highly likely that they used the open matte negative - I can't imagine a major studio film being shown theatrically in 1960 at full frame. There are optional French subtitles and an optional French DUB to go along with the original mono English track. The English audio is weak and inconsistent and I fiddled with the volume several times during my viewing - gunshots very loud and dialogue very soft.

NOTE: Brian says the colors are about 20% of what they should be and concurs that the aspect ratio is incorrect. He is very adamant that this DVD it is not a very accurate representation of the film. In fact he calls it a 'travesty'.

No extras and I'm sad to see PAL DVDs adopting the forced 'Don't Steal' opening advertisement with that annoyingly loud music (kind of like the hypno-toad from Futurama). 

Gary Cooper is in perfect form and I really enjoyed this western - it reminded me of why I like westerns so much. Very interesting to see George C. Scott and Cooper square off... if only in a minor way! 

Gary W. Tooze