Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, the Blu-ray release of "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" by Kino Lorber features a 1080p transfer. While initially expected to showcase the 4K restoration completed by Arrow Video in 2017, this edition instead utilizes an older MGM master seen in previous releases from Koch Media and Arrow Video. Though this older MGM master has its merits, it does not match the refined quality of the 4K restoration.

The older MGM master shows notable deficiencies: density levels are less robust, shadow definition is weaker, and there are visible flecks and blemishes throughout, creating a less pristine viewing experience. Comparatively, the 4K restoration boasts superior density levels, enhanced shadow delineation, cleaner imagery, and a broader color range. The restored master eliminates many of these imperfections, offering a significantly cleaner and healthier visual presentation.

Additional screencaptures from Arrow Video's release illustrate these improvements, emphasizing the superior density and depth provided by the restored master in darker scenes, alongside better shadow definition and color nuances. This comparison underscores the enhanced viewing experience that would be achieved if the 4K restoration were utilized in a potential future U.S. release.

The audio presentation of "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" on this Blu-ray release features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. This lossless track is commendably clean and serves the 4K restoration well by offering a nicely rounded and slightly tighter audio experience compared to previous iterations. Jerry Fielding’s score emerges as the strongest element of the sound design, lending boldness and depth to an otherwise narrow auditory field.

Dialogue is clear and healthy, ensuring that conversations are easily discernible throughout. While the sound effects can come across as relatively canned, particularly outside of ambient activity, the overall track remains free from any notable audio damage, maintaining a pristine quality. Optional English subtitles are provided, although their size appears to be more standard compared to the larger subtitles noted in prior international releases.

In summary, this DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track does justice to the film’s auditory elements while preserving dialogue clarity and effectively leveraging Jerry Fielding’s impactful score. While it may not drastically differ from earlier versions, it provides a clean, undamaged listening experience that pairs well with the restored 4K visuals.

The Blu-ray extras for "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" offer a comprehensive and immersive experience for fans and film historians alike. The two audio commentaries are notable; one features film historians Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons, and David Weddle, moderated by Nick Redman, delivering in-depth analysis and background information, particularly excelling in their discussion of complex sequences. The second commentary, with Redman and co-writer/co-producer Gordon Dawson, provides rich anecdotes from Dawson's collaboration with Peckinpah. The archival "Trailers from Hell" episode with Josh Olson offers additional insights. Visual extras include a vintage trailer, an image gallery of promotional materials, and a selection of TV spots. A reversible cover with vintage poster art is also included.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Vintage trailer for "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia."
• TV Spots: Selection of vintage TV spots.
• Image Gallery: Collection of promotional and production materials with music.
• Trailers From Hell: Archival episode with Josh Olson.
• Commentary One: Recorded by film historians Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons, David Weddle, and Nick Redman.
• Commentary Two: Recorded by co-writer/co-producer Gordon Dawson, moderated by Nick Redman.
• Cover: Reversible cover with vintage poster art.

Sam Peckinpah's "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" (1974) remains a striking film, meticulously presented on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber. The narrative revolves around El Jefe (Emilio Fernández), a powerful Mexican lord who announces a million-dollar bounty for Alfredo Garcia's head after his daughter reveals her pregnancy by Garcia. This sets off a violent, gripping journey featuring Bennie (Warren Oates), a piano player turned bounty hunter, and Elita (Isela Vega), his prostitute companion. Their quest navigates gritty Mexican locales, exploring themes of greed, violence, and redemption. Oates' performance is particularly memorable, capturing Bennie's evolution from a morally flexible opportunist to a man confronting profound moral dilemmas.

Peckinpah's direction is flawless, capturing both the beauty and brutality of the story. The film blends western genre elements with a contemporary setting, offering raw, poetic sequences that contrast sharply with its darker moments. Critics have often noted Peckinpah's ability to simultaneously critique and revel in violence, creating a complex narrative that remains polarizing. Bennie's journey through the film serves not only as an external quest for Garcia's head but also as an internal odyssey toward self-redemption. The relationship between Bennie and Elita adds emotional depth, grounding the film in a poignant human struggle amidst its relentless carnage.

This Blu-ray release features invaluable supplemental materials, including archival commentaries and promotional content, enhancing the viewing experience. "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" continues to spark debate and discussion decades after its release, embodying Peckinpah's lasting impact on cinema. This release is a superb presentation of one of his most compelling works, showcasing its enduring ability to provoke and intrigue.

The Blu Ray release of "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" by Kino Lorber has garnered a mixed yet generally positive reception from film enthusiasts and professionals alike. While the release benefits from a solid presentation and an array of extras, it's primarily sourced from the older MGM master, not the highly-anticipated 4K restoration completed by Arrow Video in 2017. Despite its organic qualities, this older master falls short in comparison to the healthier and technically superior 4K version.

Nonetheless, Kino Lorber’s effort deserves praise for bringing this cult classic back into circulation in the United States. As a budget-friendly option, it offers value particularly to those newly discovering Sam Peckinpah’s oeuvre. However, the omission of newer transfers and richer historical documentaries, commentaries, and featurettes is a notable drawback for longtime aficionados who were anticipating more comprehensive content.

It appears that there was some sort of a mix-up because this release does not offer a presentation of the 4K restoration of Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia that Arrow Video completed in 2017. It is actually sourced from the older MGM master that was in circulation earlier. This older master has good organic qualities, but the 4K master offers a technically superior and, more importantly, healthier presentation of the film. So, hopefully, the folks at Kino Lorber will investigate the mix-up and figure out a way to bring the 4K restoration to the U.S., as they initially had planned. UPDATE: A replacement program has been announced. To see additional details, please go HERE.

The ultimate positive takeaway from Kino Lorber’s new release is that "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" is back in print in the US, likely for much longer than its previous releases. The presentation and extras included are commendable, making it an enticing option for newcomers to Peckinpah’s work. Nonetheless, the absence of those rich documentaries, commentaries, featurettes, and especially the newer transfer dampens what could have been a definitive edition. Still, for its price point, it offers decent quality and accessibility.