Lossless audio - DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel (24-bit) and it supports the gunshots with extra depth as compared to the lossy DVD. The score is by Ken Thorne (Wolf Lake, The Bed Sitting Room, The Outsider) and helps maintain the western motif. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is region 'A'-locked.

Where the DVD was totally bare-bones the Signature Blu-rays has added a new audio commentary by Western expert and director Alex Cox who gives some valuable insight into the production and genre. Exploitation or Redemption? is a 12-minute examination of rape-revenge movies with film scholar Ben Sher. A Very British Horror Studio is a 21-minute interview with Sir Christopher Frayling on the history of Tigon Studios and we also get Sympathy For Lady Vengeance - a 10-page essay by film critic Kim Morgan (both in digital and in liner notes form.)

I warmed up even more to the film with thanks to the Cox commentary and Morgan essay. There remain some definite positives - Culp, but Raquel Welch probably has her abundant sex appeal/femininity stifle some of Hannie Caulder's major themes. Still a fascinating approach to a very nasty, and unusually presented, topic and there is plenty to enjoy. It probably should have been done like this the first time! The Signature Blu-ray is recommended!

***

ON THE DVD: Firstly, this is listed at IMDb as 'comedy' being one of the genres but aside from the three unsavory rapist-bandits behavior towards each other - there isn't much humor at all in this western 'revenge' flic. Another thing - perhaps obvious - the posters exposing a sexy, vixenish, Raquel Welch have little relationship to the behavior of the actual character in the film. I guess it should be stated that, for much of the first half of her appearance in the movie she wears a poncho with nothing on underneath. This is evident when, from behind, the wind blows it up to her waist area. If you were anticipating more - you'll be disappointed.

Olive Films is handling another older Paramount release ala these other simultaneously released DVDs - Crack in the World, Appointment With Danger, Dark City and Union Station. Paramount may be packing it in as far as DVDs go and it's fabulous that someone is covering all the titles that will never reach Blu-ray.  

Dual-layered again - and bare-bones with a high bitrate. The transfer is progressive and anamorphic in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. It's very grainy - and this is a positive, IMO. But its is fairly think with some edge-enhancement - there is some frame specific damage (see sample at the bottom of the page) but colors aren't overly washed and contrast seems adept.

Standard, consistent, audio and no optional subtitles. This is a bare-bones disc with no extras at all - not even a trailer. This isn't really a film that you could say too much about anyway. Perhaps something on Burt Kennedy would have been appropriate.

This could have been a more acknowledged film, I think - if the tone was more serious throughout (we are talking gang rape and murder here) and perhaps even a different, less beautiful, actress. It's a good plotline and Culp, as the mercenary bounty hunter, is excellent. Actually, it is not a bad western at all - filled with brutality and... loners. They could have expanded on this unexplained mysterious stranger that appears near the climax but anyway....  It's, obviously not the top of my list, but offers an entertaining presentation in many respects. 

Gary W. Tooze