The Tall Men Blu-ray - Clark Gable

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Raoul Walsh
USA 1955

A Western epic of a tall order results when iconic stars Clark Gable, Jane Russell and Robert Ryan loom large amid the lustrously lensed landscapes of The Tall Men (1955), directed by the masterful Raoul Walsh and flavorfully adapted by top-flight screenwriters Sydney Boehm and Frank Nugent. Ex-Confederate brothers (Gable and Cameron Mitchell) form an alliance with a shady businessman (Ryan) on a perilous cattle drive across 1,500 miles of hostile territory from Texas to Montana, and an even more treacherous rivalry for the romantic affections of a lovely frontier woman (Russell). Filmed in Cinemascope by Leo Tover and scored by Victor Young, whose rousing work is showcased on an Isolated Music Track.

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Two brothers, Ben and Clint, join a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. While heading for Texas they save Nella from the Indians, and she decides to ride with them. Ben and Nella start to get romantic, but Ben isn't ambitious enough for her, and she soon meets up with the boss of the cattle drive. Will she make the right choice, and, more importantly, will the cattle make it to Montana !

Excerpt from B+N located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 22nd, 1955

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Comparison:

20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover
Distribution	20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC	Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:02:00	2:02:09.030
Video	2.55:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.38 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	2.55:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 42,800,229,062 bytes Feature: 42,605,101,056 bytes Video Bitrate: 33.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	English (4.0), Optional Spanish and French mono DUBs	DTS-HD Master Audio English 3627 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3627 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 1685 kbps 4.0 / 48 kHz / 1685 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 4.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 1992 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1992 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Isolated Score: DTS-HD Master Audio English 2258 kbps 3.0 / 48 kHz / 2258 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 3.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles	English, Spanish, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio: 2.55:1 Original Aspect Ratio Edition Details: • Photo galleries, Production Stills galleries • Trailers • 8-page liner notes booklet (film synopsis and Gable bio info) DVD Release Date: August 15th, 2006 Keep case Chapters: 24	Release Information: Studio: Twilight Time 2.55:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 42,800,229,062 bytes Feature: 42,605,101,056 bytes Video Bitrate: 33.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Isolated Music Track • Original Theatrical Trailer (2:26) Blu-ray Release Date: September 4th, 2019 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters 25

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Twilight Time Blu-ray (September 2019): Twilight Time have transferred Raoul Walsh's wonderful western The Tall Men to Blu-ray. It is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed bitrate. It is such a gorgeous film with scenes shot on location in Mexico and Sun Valley, Idaho. The mountains and plains look stunning in the 2.55:1, 1080P. This HD transfer provides a significantly brighter image than the old SD. Colors are incredibly vibrant with blues dominating. Black levels are rich and the presentation is overflowing with deep colors and fine grain texture. Beautiful. There is some 'Cinemascope mumps' (the effect was that close-ups would slightly overstretch an actor's face making them look wider or fatter) visible in the comparative screen capture below but far less noticeable when viewing. There is information cropped off the left edge of the Blu-ray frame and this may have been compensated for with stretching the image more than the 'Cinemascope mumps'.

On their Blu-ray, Twilight Time offer the option of three DTS-HD Master tracks (all 24-bit) - four if you include the isolated score. They are all in the original English language and represent a 4.0 channel (4-Track Stereo), a 2.0 channel and a 5.1 surround track. It was fun playing with the audio, switching between tracks and replaying scenes and the separations are definitely present - notable even in the standard western effects (horses and guns.) It can really export a robust soundstage plus another riveting score by Victor Young (Unconquered, I Walk Alone, Strategic Air Command, The Sun Shines Bright, The Accused, Johnny Guitar, China Gate etc.) balancing between light fare and menacing, imposing suspense. Twilight Time offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Twilight Time Blu-ray only has, the isolated score option, and a very poor quality trailer as extras. This is a shame because the film is surely deserved of one of their expert commentaries. There are liner notes included in the transparent case with photos.

The Tall Men is a top shelf western - with epic production. Raoul Walsh is a master and we are treated to all the beloved pioneer-esque conventions of the genre. It has quite a strong adventure element as well. The Twilight Time Blu-ray breathes substantial life into this digital presentation - far beyond the old DVD. Fans should be pleased to indulge and have this in their library.