Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

International:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1903 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1903 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio Italian 1898 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1898 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

English

• A Bullet for the Director - Interview with Director Damiano Damiani (5:01)
• U.S. Trailer (1:52)
• International Trailer (4:29)
• Poster & Still Gallery
• Bonus DVD - Gian Maria Volonte: Un Attore Contro (1:52:31)

Bitrate:

U.S. Version TOP vs. International Version BOTTOM

 

Description: At the height of the Mexican revolution, a mysterious young American (Lou Castel of FIST IN HIS POCKET) joins a gang of marauders led by El Chucho (Gian Maria Volont+ª of A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS) on a series of savage raids to steal guns for a powerful rebel general. But when the Gringo brings his own cold-blooded ideals to the bandits, El Chucho discovers that the real weapons of war belong to no army. In a land ravaged by poverty and violence, can true freedom be bought with a single bullet? Klaus Kinski (For a Few Dollars More) and Martine Beswick (THUNDERBALL) co-star in this legendary western. This thrilling epic features some of the most surprising performances, radical politics and shocking violence of any 'Spaghetti Western' ever made and is now presented here in handsome High Definition!

U.S. Version TOP vs. International Version BOTTOM

 

 

The Film:

Excerpt from the NY Times located HERE

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

Blue Underground's disc contains both the US and the 3-minute longer International versions of the film A Bullet for the General. These are separate 1080P transfers and NOT seamlessly branched - sharing the same Blu-ray disc.  There may be some very slight differences in the image quality between the two versions but it won't be a lot - if any at all. I've made a couple of comparison captures below. The transfer seems a little inconsistent with some sequences showing that nice sheen of grain we often see with Blue Underground but there are a few spots that look waxy - as if DNR were the culprit. This wasn't at all egregious and I'd say that overall the visuals are extremely impressive with great detail in close-ups and depth being displayed. Colors are bright with true skin tones. The 2.35:1 widescreen is used in a slick fashion and the the video comes across pleasing throughout most of the presentation.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

U.S. Version TOP vs. International Version BOTTOM

 

 

 

U.S. Version TOP vs. International Version BOTTOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The US version offers a healthy DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at 1906 kbps that is comparable to the DUB on the International version that also has the option of lossless Italian at equally as robust a transfer. Gunshots are piercing and the aggressive pats of the soundtrack seems easily handled by the uncompressed audio. The flatness is expected. We have an original score by Luis Bacalov and the iconic Ennio Morricone that supports the 'Spaghetti' aspects very well. There are optional subtitles - both English (SDH) and English - for the Italian version - as well as French and Spanish. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras :

 

 

Included DVD

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
This is a cracking Spaghetti Western - one that fuels the genre for being so addictive. I'd seen A Bullet For the General on SD many years ago but this HD viewing was far more encompassing and generated more appeal for the earthy signature stylings of the filmmaker. Blue Underground continue to release strong Blu-ray products. This is an easy recommendation - I had a blast and look forward to a revisit not too long in the future.. 

Gary Tooze

May 10th, 2012