McLintock! Blu-ray Review

Paramount's Blu-ray release of "McLintock!" leverages a meticulous 4K scan to breathe new life into this classic film, showcasing a high definition rendering that impresses throughout. The 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer ensures that the images are resolute with appreciable dimension, evidenced during both close-ups and expansive exterior shots. Clothing textures, wooden structures, brickwork, and leathery saddles are intricately detailed, enhancing the rustic aesthetic of this Western. Landscape shots capture the earthy terrains and lush vegetation with a sharpness that presents a fair amount of pop to colors and brighter sequences. While there is occasional speckling, it remains unobtrusive.

The color reproduction in this presentation is striking, maintaining a vibrant Technicolor appeal. Primary and secondary colors are well depicted, offering brilliantly balanced shades whether in the bright town signage or the various tones of clothing. Reds, blues, greens, and yellows stand out especially well, alongside the more subdued yet richly saturated earth tones. Black and white levels are very balanced, with deep, inky blacks contributing to the punchy quality of low-lit scenes while ensuring excellent contrast in brighter environments. Grain is present to maintain a filmic texture but is moderated to avoid overwhelming the detail.

The visual clarity is consistently top-notch, showcasing well-defined and crisp details even at great distances. This is particularly evident in sprawling exterior shots where vegetation and land retain sharpness and depth. Flesh tones appear stable, slightly warm without veering excessively towards orange. Noise and artifacts are minimal, further underscoring the care taken in this restoration. Overall, Paramount's Blu-ray delivers a visually stunning experience faithful to "McLintock!'s" original elements, delighting both longtime fans and new viewers with its breathtaking transfer.

The Blu-ray release of "McLintock!" features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack that offers a mixed experience. Paramount has provided both mono and multi-channel options; however, the multi-channel track remains notably front-heavy and center-focused. The Dolby TrueHD spread the majority of audio elements across the front three channels, with dialogue primarily delivered through the center channel. Despite the orchestral score bleeding into the rear channels to mildly broaden the sound field, the overall spatial experience remains limited. Frequencies in the bass register are largely confined to higher registers, offering minimal subwoofer activity, which goes unnoticed due to the dated nature of the film’s recording.

The audio presentation maintains clarity and detail, providing an accurate reproduction of music, dialogue, and sound effects. Environmental sound effects, such as cattle and ambient noise, trickle lightly to side channels but fail to create an immersive auditory environment. The audio balance tends to favor music and sound effects over dialogue during high-energy scenes, leading to occasional drops in dialogue volume and clarity. Noteworthy scenes, such as the mudhole brawl and town celebration, do attempt to utilize the full range of available channels, providing surprising depth and range despite the film’s age.

Ultimately, while the 5.1 mix offers a clear and precise dialogue-driven experience, its front-heavy nature and limited surround sound engagement suggest that some listeners might prefer the more straightforward mono track for its simplicity and consistency. Technical distinctions aside, both formats deliver satisfactory listening experiences that complement the film’s themes well enough, even if they are not groundbreaking by modern audio standards.

The Blu-ray edition of "McLintock!" includes a comprehensive array of extras that provide both historical insights and engaging anecdotes about the film's production. The audio commentary, led predominantly by Leonard Maltin and Frank Thompson, is enriched by contributions from Maureen O’Hara, Stefanie Powers, Michael Pate, Michael Wayne, and Andrew McLaglen, offering a blend of sweeping generalizations and fascinating production tidbits. Leonard Maltin’s brief introduction serves to contextualize the film's significance. The making-of feature is divided into three segments: an exploration of Michael Wayne's legacy, reflective accounts from O’Hara and Powers, and an analysis of the movie’s notable fight sequences. Additional resources include a detailed discussion on corsets by fashion curator Louise Coffey-Webb, a succinct fight choreography tutorial, a photo gallery, and the theatrical trailer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by Leonard Maltin: Leonard Maltin briefly discusses the film’s history.
• Commentaries by Leonard Maltin, Frank Thompson, Maureen O’Hara, Stefanie Powers, Michael Pate, Michael Wayne, and Andrew McLagen: In-depth commentary blending production history and personal anecdotes.
• The Batjac Story Part II: The Legacy of Michael Wayne: Insight into Michael Wayne’s life and production role.
• Maureen O’Hara and Stefanie Powers Remember 'McLintock!': Personal stories from the actresses.
• A Good Ol’ Fashion Fight: Behind-the-scenes look at the film’s fight scenes.
• The Corset: Don’t Leave Home Without One!: Detailed discussion on corsets by Louise Coffey-Webb.
• 2-Minute Fight School: Basic tutorial on movie fistfighting techniques.
• Photo Gallery: Collection of promotional images and stills.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer for the film.

"McLintock!"—paramount's rollicking 1963 Western comedy—offers a colorful reinterpretation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," headlined by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Set against the sprawling backdrop of New Mexico, the narrative follows the wealthy cattle baron George Washington McLintock (Wayne) as he juggles business, family strife, and local politics. The chemistry between Wayne and O'Hara reignites as they reprise their dynamic interplay from "The Quiet Man," complemented by a strong supporting cast, including Yvonne De Carlo, Chill Wills, and Wayne's real-life son Patrick.

Visually, the Blu-ray transfer is superb, sourced from original film elements. This results in a stunning picture quality that remains crisp and vibrant, faithfully capturing the film's aesthetic. The audio options are equally impressive, featuring both 5.1 lossless and mono presentations. While the additional features may not be extensive, they are certainly enjoyable, particularly the edited-together audio commentary from Leonard Maltin and other film historians, which provides valuable insights.

Despite its charm and comedic appeal, "McLintock!" also encapsulates mid-20th-century attitudes towards gender roles and Native American relations. The film's climactic scenes—especially the muddy brawl and the controversial public spanking—highlight the era's particular brand of humor and storytelling. From a cultural and historical perspective, "McLintock!" serves as a dual time capsule, illustrating both the 19th-century West and the societal norms of 1960s America. For fans of classic Westerns, this Blu-ray edition is a finely curated piece that offers both nostalgic entertainment and a glimpse into cinematic history.

"McLintock!" is a classic Western that continues to captivate audiences with its light-hearted tone, strong cast, and splendid photography—a hallmark of the genre's finest offerings. As one of John Wayne's most beloved films, its enduring appeal remains evident through each viewing. Paramount's Blu-ray release enhances this experience with superb video quality, satisfactory audio, and a moderate but engaging range of bonus content.

Although not without controversy—its depiction of patriarchal authority and treatment of certain groups can be considered outdated—the film's charm lies in the undeniable chemistry between Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. The new transfer significantly surpasses previous releases, delivering an outstanding visual presentation. While the recycled special features might not appeal to all, they certainly add value for the film's enthusiasts.

In conclusion, despite some dated elements, "McLintock!" stands as a delightful comedic Western with a remarkable Blu-ray release. Its appeal to fans of John Wayne, classic Westerns, and vintage cinema on high-definition mediums is undeniable. Paramount's commitment to visual excellence and supplementary materials make this edition highly recommended.