Rio Bravo 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Rio Bravo" marks a significant upgrade from earlier home video releases, showcasing a meticulously restored visual experience. Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging, in partnership with The Film Foundation, has struck a new 4K master that reflects a substantial improvement in picture quality. The film, originally shot on 35mm using Mitchell BNC cameras with spherical lenses and released in its intended 1.85:1 aspect ratio, benefits immensely from the higher resolution and the application of HDR10. This results in warm, natural colors typical of the period, deep blacks, and an overall clarity that enhances fine detailing. While the film's inherent softness is preserved, consistent with its original Technicolor grain, the new transfer ensures a cleaner, more natural image free of debris and dirt.

The HDR10 grade of the 2160p HEVC-encoded transfer is particularly noteworthy. It effectively manages the film's traditionally warm yellow/brown tones while accentuating reds and blues. The sun-bleached outdoor scenes now pop with exceptional contrast against deep shadows, and interior scenes benefit from improved depth and black levels that highlight intricate production designs, such as the textures of Dude's coat and Chance's hat. Although some age-related softness persists around transitions and optical work, these do not detract significantly from the overall presentation. Instances where the resolution dips slightly are few and far between and do not mar the generally pristine quality of the restoration.

Overall, "Rio Bravo" on 4K UHD Blu-ray offers a visually stunning home video experience. The light layer of natural film grain provides a genuine cinematic feel, while fine detailing and rich color reproduction enhance the film’s aesthetic significantly. Warner Bros.' dedication to preserving and enhancing this classic Western fable has resulted in a presentation that both long-time fans and newcomers will find immensely satisfying.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Rio Bravo" features a lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono audio track that demonstrates excellent clarity and fidelity. With no background noise or common age-related issues such as hisses or crackles, the audio is crisp and robust. Dialog is split evenly between the mains and is consistently clear and easy to understand. The musical score by Dmitri Tiomkin, along with the studio-recorded singing by Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, while occasionally standing out from the rest of the soundstage, is otherwise well-reproduced and integrates well with the film's audio environment.

Gunshots and sound effects maintain a good level of power without overwhelming the dialogue. Although the low-frequency extension is limited, which keeps the bass frequencies in the upper registers, this does not negatively impact the overall audio experience. Ambient music and action scenes benefit from the high detail and dynamic range, with cleanly presented audio elements that enhance both the quieter moments and the more action-packed sequences. Overall, the 2.0 mono track effectively preserves the film's original auditory experience while enhancing clarity and engagement for modern audiences.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Rio Bravo" unfortunately limits its bonuses to a single, albeit substantial, extra: the audio commentary by John Carpenter and Richard Schickel. While this track provides valuable insights, combining Schickel's historical context and Carpenter's reflections on the film’s influence on his work, its execution is relatively straightforward, featuring edited-together segments rather than a continuous dialogue. It's worth noting that many extras from previous releases, such as featurettes and documentaries on Howard Hawks and the Old Tucson Studios, are notably absent. A redeemable digital copy is included, but additional content is scarce on the physical disc, making the commentary the standout feature for collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary by John Carpenter and Richard Schickel: Offers historical details and personal reflections from both contributors.

"Rio Bravo" is a quintessential Western directed by Howard Hawks, starring John Wayne as Sheriff John T. Chance, who arrests Joe Burdette (Claude Akins) for murder. The plot thickens as Burdette’s brother, Nathan (John Russell), assembles a gang to free him, prompting Chance to rely on an unconventional team: a recovering alcoholic deputy named Dude (Dean Martin), a crippled old deputy named Stumpy (Walter Brennan), and a young gunslinger, Colorado Ryan (Ricky Nelson). Angie Dickinson adds a romantic twist as Feathers, a sassy card shark who captures Chance's attention. The storyline masterfully blends tension with character development, drawing praise for its accessibility and standout performances.

The film's enduring appeal lies in its rich characters and strong performances. John Wayne delivers one of his most iconic roles, blending humor and resolve. Dean Martin shines as the redeemed drunkard deputy, contributing genuine vulnerability and depth that enhance the film’s emotional core. Ricky Nelson, although initially doubted by Hawks, proves his mettle both musically and in action sequences. The interactions between these characters provide a layered narrative that's both engaging and meaningful.

Hawks’ craftsmanship is evident throughout, balancing slow-burning tension with bursts of action. His mastery lies in subtle character moments that build suspense gradually yet captivatingly. Inspired as a counterpoint to "High Noon," "Rio Bravo" emphasizes professionalism through its deliberate pacing and rich dialogue, venturing beyond standard Western tropes. This classic film is a testament to Hawks' directorial prowess and stands out as an essential, multifaceted work in the Western genre that continues to resonate with audiences.

Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo is consistently hailed as one of the finest Westerns of its era, and Warner Bros.' new 4K UHD Blu-ray release only bolsters that reputation. The 2160p HDR-enhanced transfer beautifully showcases the film’s vibrant Technicolor cinematography, offering an unprecedented level of detail that enhances the viewing experience substantially compared to previous releases. The audio remains near-identical to the 2015 Blu-ray release, with a lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono track that delivers crystal-clear sound, ensuring every line of dialogue and musical note is heard with perfect clarity. However, it is important to note that Warner Bros.' choice to exclude the accompanying Blu-ray disc and the majority of the previously available extras does slightly mar this otherwise exemplary release.

The loss of bonus features from earlier editions, such as "Commemoration: Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo," "Old Tucson: Where the Legends Walked," and various other documentaries and trailers, may disappoint collectors and fans who enjoy comprehensive behind-the-scenes insights. The current release includes only a single outstanding commentary track by John Carpenter, which, while informative, leaves a desire for more supplementary content. This oversight by Warner Bros. in not including a simple Blu-ray copy with extras feels like a missed opportunity to provide a truly definitive edition of this classic.

As you can tell, I’m a huge fan of Rio Bravo. It’s one of those movies that just never gets old no matter how many times you watch it. It’s got what you want for a pulpy western, but is also more finely tuned for someone looking to take a more serious gaze upon the genre. Warner has had the same video transfer out for the better part of the Hi-Def format days (although it was silently re-released in 2015 with a lossless audio mix, which is replicated here instead of the 2.0 dolby digital lossy track from the original release) and the upgrade to 4K is amazing. My only gripe here is that Warner is now following Paramount’s footsteps in leaving out the Blu-ray disc and not making it a combo pack. In and of itself, that isn’t a deal breaker, but Warner has been leaving the extras on the Blu-ray disc, so that means we only get a single commentary track on the 4K disc. But don’t let that stop you from grabbing this great looking and sounding upgrade to one of the best westerns of the era.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan
• Directed by: Howard Hawks
• Written by: Jules Furthman, Leigh Brackett, B.H. McCampbell
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 HEVC
• Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono, French, German, Italian, Spanish (Castilian), Spanish (Latin) 1.0 DD Mono
• Subtitles: English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Spanish (Castilian), Dutch, Spanish (Latin America), Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
• Studio: Warner Brothers
• Rated: NR
• Runtime: 141 Minutes
• Blu-ray Release Date: August 1st, 2023

Recommendation: Great Watch