ADDITION: Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray September 16': Kino's 2016 Blu-ray transfer is technically superior to the Koch. I was a bit lazy on exact frame captures but I found only slight video differences between the two 1080P releases. It could be a shade lighter, show a bit more grain and be marginally tighter. Only very discerning eyes, or systems, may pick up the difference.

Audio is likewise similar - effects consist of mostly horses, desert wind and gunplay. The score by Alfred Newman (The Diary of Anne Frank, Bus Stop, Blood and Sand, The Bravados, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Panic in the Streets, The Song of Bernadette etc. etc.) sounds excellent - very rich. Kino does not offer any subtitle options on their region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Where Kino takes a definitive step forward is with the inclusion of the audio commentary by William Wellman, Jr. discussing his father, this film and and westerns in general. There are also a gallery of trailers which include Yellow Sky, Ox-Bo Incident, Man of the West,  Man With the Gun and Billy Two Hats.

This remains a cracking western - exceptional storytelling and a fine cast. Lots of conflict and a desolate locale. I think the Kino is the way to go for this... recommended!

***

ADDITION: Koch Media - Region FREE - Blu-ray - September 11': Both technically speaking and simply perusing the captures - it is evident that this is a more robust transfer than The Ox-Bow Incident Blu-ray - also by Koch. This has some nice grain, decent detail and some depth creeps in - mostly in the desert scenes. It is single-layered with a modest bitrate but the image is solid, if not stellar, in-motion. It also shows more information in the frame on most edges.

Audio also improves but not in any dramatic fashion. The lossless treatment has crisp edges and is probably as good as it going to get via the DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel at 1597 kbps. There is a German DUB and optional English subtitles. It plays on my Oppo and we determine it to be Region FREE!

Extras include a radio western - which is kinda cool as a supplements. It runs about 1/2 hour. There is also a bunch of stills galleries in slideshow/collage presentations.

GREAT western - love to see this again and the improved appearance that may not be stellar but it is a solid step-up. The disc being Region FREE is all the better!

***

ON THE DVD: The Fox DVD image has an impressive appearance. You'd be hard pressed to believe it was from a film over 56 years old. There  is a bit of digital noise showing itself in some of the sky scenes but contrast and grey-scale are fine. In my viewing I listened to the mono audio and it was consistent and clean. There is some minor marks that show themselves occasionally, but I am very impressed with how absent blemishes are on this print. I'll knock the yellow subtitles but otherwise we have no solid complaints. Great work by Fox finally bringing this gem to DVD.

This is a damn fine western and I'd say this dual layered DVD is a steal. Great cinema for western fans and those keen on the vintage classics. Buy now!

Gary W. Tooze