Ride the High Country Blu-ray Review

The Warner Archive Collection's Blu-ray of "Ride the High Country" delivers an impressive 1080p, AVC-encoded presentation that truly honors Lucien Ballard's cinematography. The recent 2K scan performed by Warner's Motion Picture Imaging facility, complemented by expert color correction, elevates the film’s visual appeal. This meticulous restoration brings out the subtle realism in Ballard's lighting, seamlessly blending the Mammoth Lake locations with the MGM backlot settings. Detail and sharpness are outstanding, with excellently rendered black levels and densities. The high average bitrate of 34.97 Mbps ensures a consistent and high-caliber visual experience.

The color palette primarily comprises wilderness earth tones, contrasted strikingly by the snows of the Sierras and vibrant hues in scenes such as Kate's whorehouse. Peckinpah’s attention to detail is impeccably preserved—an example being the textured leather jacket worn by Gil Westrum—highlighting the high level of care taken in this release. Despite minor imperfections like the windowboxed opening credits, which expand to full width post-credits, this Blu-ray offers a beautifully sharp image with a natural grain structure that enhances its film-like quality.

The original mono soundtrack of "Ride the High Country" has been meticulously restored from the original magnetic recordings, presented in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 on Blu-ray. Despite the film's limited budget and inherent sonic constraints, the restoration ensures no interference or distortion. Gunshots, while occasionally lacking in impact, do not detract from the primary dialogue-driven nature of the film. Dialogue is consistently clear, maintaining intelligibility throughout.

George Bassman's evocative score, known for its contributions to films like "The Postman Always Rings Twice," holds up well in this presentation. Although the top end can sound somewhat thin and strained, it remains true to the original source material and effectively enhances the film's action, adventure, and emotional moments. The audio's fidelity preserves the film's authentic atmosphere, ensuring an immersive viewing experience.

Overall, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track accomplishes its primary objective: delivering clear and undistorted dialogue central to the narrative while sustaining a musical score that complements the visual storytelling. This meticulous attention to preserving sonic integrity enhances both the auditory and emotional impact of "Ride the High Country."

The Blu-ray release of "Ride the High Country" features an impressive array of extras that have been seamlessly ported over from the 2006 DVD and include some notable enhancements. The audio commentary, moderated by Nick Redman and featuring Peckinpah experts Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons, and David Weddle, is particularly insightful, providing an engaging and detailed discussion of the film and its director. The documentary "A Justified Life: Sam Peckinpah and the High Country" offers a deeply personal look into Peckinpah's career and life, with candid memories from his sister, Fern Lea Peter. Additionally, the remastered theatrical trailer gives a captivating glimpse into the film’s restoration efforts, showcasing the extent of the visual enhancement made to this classic Western. Overall, these extras provide a rich, informative experience for fans and film historians alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Nick Redman, Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons and David Weddle: In-depth discussion by Peckinpah experts.
• A Justified Life: Sam Peckinpah and the High Country: A documentary directed by Nick Redman about Peckinpah’s life.
• Theatrical Trailer: Restored trailer highlighting the film’s enhanced visuals.

Sam Peckinpah's second feature, "Ride the High Country" (RtHC), marks the genesis of his foray into revisionist Westerns, an endeavor he pursued even before the genre was named. The film pairs aging icons Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott, both of whom inject their seasoned cowboy charisma into a narrative that transcends its modest double-bill origins. RtHC is an elegy for an Old West reimagined through the idealism of McCrea's Steve Judd, a once-reputable lawman now desperate for work, and Scott's Gil Westrum, whose motives remain shrouded in self-interest. Peckinpah’s uncredited rewrite of the script elevates the film to a timeless classic. The stylish cinematography by Lucien Ballard, a frequent Peckinpah collaborator, breathes new life into this remastered Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray.

The core of RtHC revolves around the complex relationship between Judd and Westrum, embodying Peckinpah's trademark pairing of seemingly opposing characters, akin to "The Wild Bunch's" Pike Bishop and Deke Thornton. Judd's tattered attire symbolizes a man clinging to his integrity in a changing world, while Westrum’s deception is visually hinted at by his sideshow disguise. The narrative propels forward as Judd recruits his old partner and his assistant, Heck Longtree (Ron Starr), for a perilous gold transport job. Westrum’s hidden agenda to abscond with the gold introduces a subplot rich with tension and moral ambiguity. However, the plot's linchpin shifts when 17-year-old Elsa Knudsen (Mariette Hartley) enters the scene, complicating Judd's and Westrum's plans while interweaving themes of naivety, paternalism, and a perilous search for freedom.

Peckinpah populates RtHC with a vivid ensemble cast, from dubious bank officers to a sardonic judge, played with scene-stealing vigor by Edgar Buchanan. The film juxtaposes humor and gravity—Judd’s struggle with reading glasses offers comic relief against the foreboding threat of Elsa’s in-laws. The Sierra Nevada backdrop underscores the narrative’s grandeur and decay. Performances by Scott and McCrea deliver compelling portraits of men at odds with their pasts and futures, while Hartley's portrayal of Elsa adds a poignant layer of vulnerability. Notably lacking the graphic violence of Peckinpah’s later works, RtHC instead intimate character studies and moral dilemmas, culminating in a climactic, albeit subdued, shootout. This Blu-ray edition rejuvenates Peckinpah's vision, ensuring that "Ride the High Country" remains an enduring examination of honor and decay in the twilight of the Old West.

"Ride the High Country" on Blu-ray represents an essential addition to any film enthusiast's collection, particularly those with a penchant for westerns. Directed by Sam Peckinpah, this classic slice of Americana showcases the nascent stages of Peckinpah’s revolutionary editing techniques. With assistance from editor Frank Santillo, Peckinpah transformed potentially uneditable footage into a cohesive and captivating narrative. This title, supported by studio production head Sol Siegel during its tumultuous post-production phase, underscores Peckinpah's keen eye for detail and innovative storytelling.

The Blu-ray release by Warner Archive Collection brings "Ride the High Country" to home viewers with stunning visual clarity and audio fidelity. Presenting the film in its original aspect ratio, this release emphasizes the cinematography's sweeping landscapes and intimate character moments, giving audiences a fully immersive experience. The transfer is free from typical artifacts and offers a pristine rendition that enhances both the vibrant outdoor scenes and the nuanced indoor interactions. The sound quality is richly detailed, ensuring dialogue and the musical score are delivered with perfect balance.

By the time Peckinpah made "Ride the High Country," he had meticulously honed his craft under industry veterans and through episodic television. Here, his mastery of editing becomes evident, forging a partnership with editor Frank Santillo that would later yield other significant works. If initial studio politics hadn't obstructed its release, the film might have achieved greater immediate success. However, today's audiences can appreciate "Ride the High Country" as an integral part of Peckinpah’s oeuvre, marking his emergence as a major filmmaking talent.

In conclusion, Warner Archive's Blu-ray treatment of “Ride the High Country” is superb and highly recommended. This release not only preserves but accentuates Peckinpah's pioneering vision, making it a must-see for fans of westerns and classic cinema alike. Now available via Warner Archive and Amazon, this Blu-ray guarantees viewers an opportunity to experience the film in all its original glory.