The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" arrives on Blu-ray through Criterion with a robust 1080p transfer sourced from a meticulous 2K restoration. The involved restoration process included the Academy Film Archive and modern facilities such as Modern VideoFilm, delivering a superbly healthy and vibrant visual experience. Despite some slight fluctuations in density, an organic presentation is maintained, displaying remarkable image stability without any noticeable age-related imperfections. The density and depth are commendable, suggesting it has never before been seen in such a pristine condition.

The film's stock naturalistic cinematography, attributed to director of photography Reynaldo Villalobos, is embraced with stable colors and excellent balance. The transfer maintains true-to-life color grading, with natural yellow and brown tones prevalent, yet still allowing blues to remain striking and reds to be prominently impactful. The presence of film grain is authentically preserved, adding a striking layer of realism reminiscent of vintage newsreels without becoming overly intrusive. In instances of deep blacks for night scenes, contrast levels are managed without any blooming or crushing issues, while skin tones and landscape details remain strong and clear. However, an occasional vertical stain on the right side is minimally noticeable and does not detract significantly from the visual quality.

Overall, this Region-A locked Blu-ray edition's video presentation is an excellent showcase for this historical film. Criterion's restoration efforts ensure an engaging viewing experience that honors the film’s original aesthetic while enhancing its picture quality for contemporary audiences.

The audio presentation of "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" on this Blu-ray release is characterized by its English LPCM 1.0 track, with significant portions in Spanish. Optional English SDH subtitles are available for the main feature. The mono audio mix is executed proficiently, offering clean and stable sound throughout the film, with no noticeable audio dropouts or digital distortions. While the track maintains its integrity, it is noteworthy that some light dynamic unevenness is present, likely due to the film's original organic audio qualities.

Despite being confined to a single channel, the mix exhibits excellent element spacing, providing clear and unobstructed dialogue, robust musical scoring by W. Michael Lewis and Edward James Olmos, and immersive sound effects. The dialogue remains consistently clean and clear, ensuring clarity without interference. The score, albeit synthesized in origin, complements the narrative effectively and enhances the overall atmosphere. Sound effects are appropriately imaged, offering a restrained yet natural directionality that avoids congestion or clutter within the mono soundscape, thereby adding to the film's atmospheric depth.

Overall, the LPCM mono track on this Blu-ray offers a strong and effective auditory experience, maintaining the integrity of the original mix while ensuring a stable and immersive listening environment.

The Blu-ray release of "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" includes a focused and enriching set of supplemental materials that are characteristic of Criterion Collection's high standards. The interviews with Edward James Olmos and Chon A. Noriega provide in-depth discussions on the film's production history, significance in Chicano Cinema, and its visual style. The Cast and Crew Panel offers invaluable insights from the perspectives of key contributors, effectively contextualizing the film’s cultural and cinematic impact. These extras, presented in high definition, are indispensable for those looking to delve deeper into the film’s conceptual and technical nuances.

Extras included in this disc:

• Edward James Olmos: Actor Edward James Olmos discusses the film's importance, production history, and director Robert M. Young's methods.
• Chon A. Noriega: Author Chon A. Noriega covers Chicano Cinema and the film's narrative and visual style.
• Cast and Crew Panel: Filmed discussion featuring director Robert M. Young, producer Moctesuma Esparza, and cast & crew members.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by professor Charles Ramirez Berg and technical credits.

Review of "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" (Movie Section)

Robert M. Young’s "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" masterfully recounts the harrowing ordeal of Gregorio Cortez, a Mexican tenant farmer, pursued across Texas after a tragic miscommunication leads to the death of a sheriff. Set in the early 1900s, the film poignantly portrays the devastating impact of language barriers and the ensuing mistrust. Edward James Olmos delivers a stellar performance as Cortez, using his physicality and emotive intensity to bridge the linguistic divide, which is especially impactful given the movie’s decision to omit Spanish subtitles. Key scenes, such as the heartfelt exchange between Cortez and a drifter, emphasize the themes of miscommunication and shared humanity.

The film’s production qualities underscore its narrative intent. The visual style echoes Monte Hellman’s 1960s experimental westerns, employing a fluid, calm, and borderline noirish ambiance that demands viewer engagement. However, some editing choices, such as abrupt cuts, occasionally disrupt the otherwise steady rhythm established earlier in the movie. The direction provides a gritty realism, conveying the intensity of Cortez’s plight and the posse's relentless chase with a near cinema verite approach. This technique immerses viewers in the tension-laden atmosphere, akin to watching news footage from a war zone.

The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez effectively underscores the precarious balance between justice and law enforcement, punctuated by its stark depiction of evidence gathering and the ramifications of errors in translation. The film's portrayal is grounded in a bid for empathy and understanding rather than simple judgment, aiming to uncover the multifaceted truth behind the tragic events. It’s this authentic and unembellished approach that renders the film both emotionally engaging and thought-provoking, making it a critical viewing experience that is as educational as it is compelling.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" represents a significant and commendable achievement in film restoration. The new 2K restoration and reconstruction capture the film's rugged beauty and nuanced storytelling with impressive clarity. The movie itself is a deeply evocative piece that combines historical folklore with a profound examination of themes such as truth, justice, and law. This synthesis of historical drama and thematic depth sets it apart, creating a unique cinematic experience that enriches the Western genre.

Edward James Olmos delivers an extraordinary performance that, according to him, stands as the most important work of his career. His portrayal of Gregorio Cortez brings vitality and complexity to the film, which is masterfully directed by Robert M. Young. The direction, combined with solid performances from the supporting cast, contributes to the film's ability to resonate emotionally and intellectually even decades after its original release.

Criterion's Blu-ray edition heightens this resonance with excellent audio-visual quality. The transfer retains the film's rugged visual aesthetic while offering clarity that draws viewers deeper into its world. The audio mix is pristine, ensuring that each line and score component is delivered with fidelity to the original production. Additionally, the Blu-ray is packed with valuable bonus features that provide further context and appreciation for this important work.

I am a fan of Edward James Olmos' work but I had never owned a copy of "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" in my library. However, I have to admit that I don't remember actively looking for one, so I don't know if a proper version of it was easy or difficult to track down over the years. It is an interesting film that in certain ways emulates the stylistic qualities that Monte Hellman promoted with his experimental westerns during the '60s, but it certainly has a unique identity of its own. It apparently meant a lot to Olmos and he credits it as the most important work that he did throughout his career. Criterion's release is sourced from a new 2K restoration and reconstruction of the film, and comes with a good selection of bonus features. RECOMMENDED.