The Wonderful Country Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded Blu-ray presentation of "The Wonderful Country" maintains a 1.66:1 aspect ratio and shows minor wear, including occasional bursts of scratches and constant speckling. Some frames exhibit bluish discoloration on the edges. As a Technicolor production, the hues are notably pronounced, with bold primaries enhancing the costuming and outdoor scenes. Skintones are appreciably amplified, resulting in richer facial features. The period cinematography inherently presents some softness; however, close-ups provide adequate detail, though revealing some limitations in makeup and the creased appearance of male characters. Despite struggles with delineation, crucial visual elements are not lost.

Over its 56-year history, "The Wonderful Country" displays a fair level of consistency in its 1080p image quality, sourced from a relatively intact print. Fine film grain retention and strong detail levels characterize the transfer, though occasional softness is apparent. This is partly due to the focal choices during filming and partly due to the quality of the elements used for this transfer. The varying color accuracy can be noticed, with some scenes displaying accurate, healthy skin tones while others appear pale and washed out. Black levels are generally consistent, providing depth and stability, especially in the latter half of the film where details and colors become particularly rich and vibrant. While a full restoration would yield better results, the film holds up well in HD, offering a visually engaging experience.

The audio presentation of "The Wonderful Country" on Blu-ray features a 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix that struggles with the limitations of its age, resulting in a somewhat muffled listening experience. Dialogue exchanges, while clear and discernible, lack a certain definition and dramatic strength that could elevate the presentation. The film's score by Alex North, although wonderful, feels subdued and lacks the inspired instrumentation that one might expect. Additionally, atmospheric elements, while lively, are marred by an overall softening of the track which contributes to a slightly muddled presentation. Minor flaws like hiss and pops are also detectable, affecting the crispness of the audio.

Despite these limitations, the track has its strengths. Dialogue clarity remains crystal clear, ensuring that viewers do not struggle to hear conversations. The mix maintains well-balanced midranges and allows the dialogue, sound effects, and score to have ample space to breathe. Even though the audio retains a persistent tinny echo that creates a hollow sound at times, which detracts from its resonance, it is still notably effective for a film approaching its 60th anniversary. In action sequences and quieter moments alike, the need for volume adjustments is minimal, indicating a thoughtfully balanced audio mix. Without an exhaustive restoration effort, achieving perfection may be unrealistic; however, this track remains good enough to be appreciated by fans of classic cinema.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Wonderful Country" offer a nostalgic glimpse into classic film marketing and provide a detailed look at significant moments from the film. The included theatrical trailer effectively captures the essence of "The Wonderful Country," although it does reveal key plot points, so viewers should be cautious of spoilers. Also featured are trailers from other Western classics, which showcase the era's unique promotional style and manage to charmingly set up each film. These additions enhance the Blu-ray experience, making it not only about watching the film but also appreciating its historical context and presentation.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Wonderful Country Trailer: (HD 2:56) Captures the film's spirit, but reveals major plot points.
• Man With The Gun Trailer: (HD 2:24) A classic black-and-white Western trailer that solidly sets up the flick.
• Young Billy Young Trailer: (HD 2:15) Effectively sells the action and portrays it as a fun release.

"The Wonderful Country" (1959) presents Robert Mitchum as Martin Brady, a conflicted mercenary entrenched between the U.S. and Mexico, adapting Tom Lea's bestseller. The film's core echoes its literary origins, emphasizing internal moral struggles over conventional Western suspense. Director Robert Parrish occasionally veers into melodrama, delaying crucial narrative tension. Although Mitchum's performance lacks profound depth in elucidating Brady’s transformative journey, his portrayal still navigates the themes of loyalty and internal conflict effectively. The film's pace fluctuates, sometimes dwelling on expository scenes that miss opportunities for heightened drama.

Martin Brady's odyssey begins with a father's death avenged by a gunshot, leading to a fugitive life in Mexico under the Castros. Tasked with transporting a weapon shipment, his mission falters when he's injured in Texas, leaving him stranded in an ambiguous social limbo. The film unfolds as Martin grapples with his fractured identity, caught between potential reintegration into American society and his commitments in Mexico. Julie London's portrayal of Helen Colton, the army major's wife, adds an emotional dimension to Martin’s journey.

Despite its brisk narrative, "The Wonderful Country" struggles with balance, spending significant time depicting Martin's return to society before accelerating towards its climax. Yet, these quieter moments offer valuable introspection, showing Martin's transformation from a sullied gunman to an almost respectable man. Robert Mitchum’s anguish is palpable as he oscillates between violence and redemption. Even with pacing issues and some missteps in maintaining suspense, the film remains a rich character study set against the backdrop of conflicting loyalties and identities. The musical score by Alex North enhances this nuanced Western, making it an engaging watch for fans of the genre seeking more than just gunfights and clichés.

"The Wonderful Country" on Blu-ray is a multifaceted experience that will appeal to aficionados of classic Western cinema. Robert Mitchum stars as Martin Brady, delivering a compelling performance that marries his trademark grit with a surprising emotional depth. The film's exploration of themes like exile and identity are palpable, though it occasionally falls short of leveraging these elements to their fullest dramatic potential. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release showcases a fairly decent audio and visual presentation, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those accustomed to previous formats.

One of the standout attributes of this release is the technical mastery evident in its cinematography and sound design. Despite lacking a robust selection of special features—limited to just a trio of trailers—the production quality remains commendable. The atmospheric visuals of the Western landscape are captured beautifully, though the script sometimes struggles to maintain an engaging pace. The sense of isolation and internal conflict imbued in Mitchum’s character could have been explored more thoroughly to enhance the narrative complexity, yet the film's strong foundational elements keep it buoyant.

In conclusion, "The Wonderful Country" is an evocative if slightly underwhelming Western that is worth a look for genre enthusiasts. The film's vivid portrayal of the old west compensates for the occasional narrative lull, offering a visually striking and emotionally resonant experience. Although its ambitions are felt more in its visual execution than in its storytelling, fans of Robert Mitchum and classic Westerns will find much to appreciate in this Blu-ray release.