The Hunting Party Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Hunting Party" boasts a strong, AVC encoded, 1080p transfer in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio that excels in visual presentation. The film benefits from a sunlit western setting where gritty details, particularly during daylight scenes, stand out. Facial details captured under the blazing sun highlight nuanced sweat and grime, while the rugged landscapes and costumes exhibit substantial textural richness, enhancing the film's immersive qualities. The color palette predominantly employs natural earth tones—browns and grays—remaining true to the genre's aesthetic expectations. Skintones maintain accuracy and consistency throughout the film.

The transfer maintains robust black levels, presenting a clear separation and depth in shadows which adds to the overall visual depth. While colors may not pop with vibrancy, they exhibit a natural realism that aligns well with the film's tone. Grain structure is finely tuned, remaining filmic without being intrusive. Despite occasional speckling and minor instances where contrast might be slightly too intense (notably with certain white garments blooming), these are minor setbacks in an otherwise stable and clean source. The film has been preserved well, showcasing no significant damage or deterioration, making it a commendable visual experience for fans of the genre.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "The Hunting Party" is impressively managed with a 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix, blending dialogue, sound effects, and music into a cohesive experience. Dialogue is notably clear, ranging from gruff exchanges to more expressive threats and emotional outbursts without any distortion. This ensures a smooth auditory experience during the film’s intense moments. Riz Ortolani's score is notably powerful, adding a rich layer of atmosphere and emotional depth to the narrative. His music’s ability to punctuate tension and provide sonic support during quieter, ominous scenes is commendable.

Sound effects are robustly handled, bringing a palpable sense of action with detailed gunshots, explosions, and galloping horses. The mix captures the kinetic energy of the film's frantic sequences with significant weight and density. Additionally, the spatial positioning of sounds, especially in scenes with wide-open shots, is excellent, offering a strong sense of immersive atmosphere and spatial awareness. The overall audio levels are well-balanced, ensuring that listeners won't need to adjust their settings frequently. The mix is also notably clean, free from any intrusive hiss or pops, making it a technically solid and engaging auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Hunting Party" provide a solid, albeit modest, complement to the main feature. The commentary track by film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson offers well-researched insights and entertaining anecdotes that enrich the viewing experience. The interview with actor Mitchell Ryan delves into his personal struggles and behind-the-scenes dynamics, particularly highlighting Oliver Reed's pervasive alcoholism and its impact on the production, including Ryan's consequential brief firing and eventual return, which adds a candid, human element to the retrospective. Additionally, the inclusion of the theatrical trailer adds nostalgic value for viewers. Overall, these extras enhance the contextual understanding and appreciation of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Featuring film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson.
• Mitchell Ryan Interview: Actor Mitchell Ryan discusses his experiences and personal challenges during the filming.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer for "The Hunting Party".

"The Hunting Party," directed by Don Medford, is a 1971 Western that seeks to merge the luridness of spaghetti Westerns with unrelenting brutality. Gene Hackman stars as Brandt Ruger, a sadistic landowner whose annual hunting trip escalates into a manhunt when his wife Melissa (Candice Bergen) is kidnapped by the outlaw Frank Calder (Oliver Reed). The film dabbles in extreme violence and moral ambiguity, creating an atmosphere dripping with tension but severely lacking in narrative substance and character depth. Medford appears more focused on showcasing grotesque acts than building a cohesive story, which can leave viewers questioning the merit of the film’s unyielding savagery.

From the outset, "The Hunting Party" positions its characters in morally dubious spaces, stripping away any traditional notions of heroism. The dynamic between Ruger and Calder reveals the depths of human depravity—Ruger exploits his power through brutal violence, while Calder, although less refined, is similarly ruthless. Melissa’s character arc is problematic; her initial victimization shifts inexplicably toward complicity and affection for her captor. This troubling dynamic undermines any potential for meaningful character development, leaving audiences disengaged from their fates. Despite stellar performances from Hackman, Reed, and Bergen, the absence of strong moral counterpoints diminishes the emotional impact.

Technically, the film boasts a vibrant score from Riz Ortolani that tries to establish a more traditional Western feel, sharply contrasting with Medford's grim portrayal. Action scenes, featuring high-powered long-range rifles, are choreographed with precision and evoke the frenetic energy seen in Sam Peckinpah’s work. However, unlike Peckinpah’s films, which balance violent imagery with poignant character arcs, "The Hunting Party" falters in its excessive indulgence. While the film achieves moments of genuine suspense and tension during its bloody shootouts, the lack of sympathetic characters and poorly handled motivations result in a numb finale that leaves little lasting impression.

Kino Lorber Studio Classics offers a Blu-ray release of "The Hunting Party" that excels in technical prowess but leaves much to be desired due to the film's inherent issues. The audio-visual presentation is impressive, delivering crisp visuals and robust sound quality that enhance the viewing experience. However, the movie itself struggles with inconsistency in tone. While it aims to juxtapose dark, psychological exploration with twisted humor, it falls short, leaving viewers perplexed rather than piqued.

Gene Hackman delivers a powerful performance, adding a layer of gravitas to the otherwise mean-spirited narrative. Despite this, the film's script and character development fail to elevate it beyond a rough exterior. The disjointed plot and misplaced comedic elements make it difficult for the audience to engage fully. The attempt to blend grim conclusion with lighthearted moments involving sexualized jarred peaches comes off as ill-advised and detracts from the overall impact.

In summation, while Kino Lorber’s efforts in the Blu-ray's A/V quality and bonus content deserve commendation, "The Hunting Party" remains fundamentally flawed. Its inability to maintain a coherent tone and compelling storyline renders it a challenging watch, even for fans of dark westerns. Potential viewers are advised to consider a rental before opting for a purchase.

Even with a major cast, some in a prime of their careers, "The Hunting Party" has difficulty standing up straight. It remains in the dark despite an ill-advised detour into comedy featuring jarred peaches (make that sexualized jarred peaches), and while the grim conclusion is admirable, its power is diluted by the rest of the movie, which doesn't have a firm grasp on dark screen poetry, psychological investigation, or the art of editorial suggestion.