Shoot the Sun Down Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Shoot the Sun Down," released by Kino-Lorber, delivers a mixed yet admirably film-like viewing experience, typical of their commitment to preserving cinematic authenticity. The 1080p AVC-encoded transfer showcases the inherent flaws of its slightly battered 35mm source material, presenting a naturally grainy image dotted with black and white specks, occasional light scratches, and even tiny hairs along the film gate edges. Despite these imperfections, Kino-Lorber wisely avoids excessive digital manipulation such as DNR grain erasing, harsh edge enhancement, or contrast boosting. This restraint ensures that the film retains its original, natural look and keeps compression artifacts at bay thanks to the spacious 25 GB disc.

The visual clarity is inconsistent throughout the film; certain scenes display sharpness and detail while others remain soft and less defined, reflecting the varying quality of the original print. Color balance is commendable, with no oversaturation, crushed shadows, or blown-out whites. The visually striking desert landscape sequences post-opening highlight the transfer's strength, capturing fine detail, nuanced beige-y hues of the desert, and authentic costume textures that add to the film's atmosphere.

Overall, despite the presence of a grainy and speckled picture reminiscent of an older broadcast signal in many parts, the transfer successfully conveys the gritty and harsh aesthetic intended by the filmmakers. Given the film’s limited budget and difficult journey to distribution, Kino-Lorber maximizes the available resources, presenting an image that respects the historical and cinematic integrity of this unique title.

The audio presentation of "Shoot the Sun Down" on Blu-ray is commendable, showcasing a well-executed uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 track that remains true to its source. While minor imperfections like light crackles persist, the overall audio quality is notably clean with an absence of prominent pops or hisses. Dialogue delivery is consistently clear, which is paramount given the film’s dialogue-heavy nature. The percussion-heavy score, crafted by Ed Bogas and Judy Munsen, provides a thumping rhythmic backdrop punctuated by bright brass, strummed acoustics, and a phaser-laden electric guitar. Regrettably, Kino has omitted subtitle options, which could inconvenience some viewers.

The LPCM 2.0 soundtrack excels in delivering clear dialogue and effectively reproduces the occasionally vigorous score with impressive vigor and energy. The mix ensures that the tonal nuances of each character's voice are captured with precision and clarity, avoiding pitfalls such as pitch instability or popping noises. This attention to detail greatly enhances the viewing experience. While sound effects, particularly during the climactic scenes, adhere to the era’s standards, they remain impactful though lacking the resonance modern audiences might expect. However, the dynamic range offers reasonable depth, ensuring both sound effects and the genre-specific score are conveyed compellingly. Despite occasional hollowness, the score is an auditory delight for listeners.

The Blu-ray extras for "Shoot the Sun Down" provide a diverse array of supplementary content that offers deeper insights and context for this unique film. The alternate title sequence features a song by Kinky Friedman, injecting a lighter, TV-like tone into the film, though it ultimately detracts from its original intensity and nihilism. Trailers for varying film genres are included, enabling viewers to explore related cinematic experiences, albeit presented in standard definition. Furthermore, the user-directed gallery provides a visual feast of sixteen stills, posters, and promotional images to better understand the filmmaking process and the era's aesthetics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Title Sequence: A more typical credit sequence with a Western song by Kinky Friedman, altering the film's tone.
• Trailers: Includes trailers for Shoot the Sun Down, Night Tide, and The Stranger.
• Gallery: A user-directed gallery with sixteen stills, posters, and promo images.

"Shoot the Sun Down," a 1978 western directed by David Leeds, emerges with mixed emotions within the Blu-ray revival. The film finds familiar yet unsteady ground in the well-trodden terrain of its genre. Set in 1836 in the Mexico-controlled Southwest, it involves Mr. Rainbow (Christopher Walken), a morally conflicted former soldier who navigates a chaotic backdrop of greed and lawlessness alongside an ensemble cast—including a scalphunter (Geoffrey Lewis), a captain with a mythical map (Bo Brundin), and an indentured servant (Margot Kidder). The narrative, despite an intriguing premise, struggles to maintain coherence, lapsing into meandering and occasionally tedious sequences.

Critically, "Shoot the Sun Down" attempts to blend the influence of spaghetti westerns with countercultural elements, ending up sometimes in a nebulous middle ground. The film bears a clear homage to classic western tropes while simultaneously incorporating revisionist insights, which may appeal to fans of Alejandro Jodorowsky's surrealist westerns or Sergio Leone’s stylistic imprints. Despite this ambition, the movie falters in its disjointed scenes and underwhelming action sequences. Walken’s laconic performance feels nascent compared to his later roles, but provides a glimpse into his evolving screen persona. Similarly, Kidder’s presence before her breakthrough in "Superman" adds curiosity but little impact.

Thematically, Leeds’ film grapples prominently with manifest destiny and societal rejection, embodied in the characters’ bleak confrontations. Its allegorical journey through a desolate landscape—termed "The Journey of Death"—underscores an existential destitution reflective of counterculture critiques of the period. Leeds' unfulfilled directorial ambitions and sparse narrative cohesion might detract from its classic appeal, yet the film retains an esoteric intrigue. This Blu-ray release affords modern audiences the chance to re-evaluate a film that lingers at the fringes of cinematic history, making it a fascinating—if imperfect—rescue from oblivion.

"Shoot the Sun Down" is a unique entry in the western genre, notable primarily for its bold attempt to deconstruct traditional western motifs. Directed by David Leeds, his only directorial effort, the film stands out for its unconventional narrative choices and the memorable performances of its cast. Christopher Walken and Margot Kidder, who would go on to achieve great fame soon after this film, deliver performances that hint at their future success. While the story may not resonate deeply with all viewers due to its often sluggish pacing and sparse action sequences, it offers an intriguing look into the early works of some prominent Hollywood figures.

The Blu-ray release from Kino-Lorber brings "Shoot the Sun Down" back into the spotlight after years of being out of print and never having a DVD release. The image quality is serviceable but not outstanding, and the sound is adequate. Despite these technical limitations, the Blu-ray provides a much-needed revival for a film that offers more than what meets the eye. The re-release allows contemporary audiences to explore a lesser-known piece of the western genre and appreciate its experimental approach.

In conclusion, while "Shoot the Sun Down" may not be a cinematic masterpiece, Kino-Lorber's effort to bring it back into circulation is commendable. This release makes an obscure film accessible once again, inviting film enthusiasts to discover or revisit this interesting footnote in western cinema history. Though it may cater primarily to genre aficionados and those curious about the early careers of its cast, it remains a worthy addition to any film buff’s collection.