The Night of the Grizzly Blu-ray Review

Joseph Pevney's The Night of the Grizzly makes a commendable appearance on Blu-ray through Olive Films, preserving its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p, this release derives from a newly executed digital restoration and showcases a notable enhancement over previous iterations. The dynamic range impressively broadens, providing more convincing depth and well-balanced hues and brightness levels. Although contrast levels remain largely similar, they benefit from the overall adjustments that make them appear more convincing. The color scheme has been improved, with rustic tones like browns and grays displaying admirable richness and diversity in tints and shades. While minor improvements are still possible, particularly with some hues, the grain exposure and resolution stand out due to stronger encoding, resulting in a more authentic visual representation.

The clarity and detail of this transfer are remarkable, highlighting intricate surface textures such as wood grains, worn leather, and rocky trails with precision. Depth is solid, with characters distinctly separated from their environments in both focus-friendly background imagery and deeper exterior shots. Black levels are deep and dark with no crushing observed, rendering shadows, shades, and nighttime sequences exceptionally rich. The transfer maintains consistent skin tones, revealing impressive facial details like make-up, lip texture, scars, wrinkles, and stubble.

Overall stability is excellent, with the absence of large distracting debris, damage marks, stains, or warped/torn frames contributing to a lovely presentation. While there is a consistent layer of grain and occasional spots or dirt, these are minimally intrusive. Noteworthy is an isolated instance where the nighttime sky displays some anomalies at the top of the screen. This Region-A locked release ensures access only via a Region-A or Region-Free player.

The audio presentation of "The Night of the Grizzly" on Blu-ray boasts an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles that appear inside the image frame. Notably, the clarity and depth of the audio are commendable, delivering a robust mono sound with excellent definition and dynamics. Dialogue remains consistently clear and crisp, ensuring that character interactions are easily discernible without being overshadowed by music or ambient noises.

However, there are minor imperfections. Instances of light static can be detected in the upper register during a few segments, such as the scene where Jim Cole is visited by the booze bandits. Additionally, there is an approximately 20-second period featuring a distorted hum, though it does not significantly detract from the overall listening experience. These issues are minor and sporadic, unlikely to impact the enjoyment of most viewers.

Overall, while the audio track may not be flawless, it provides an engaging auditory experience that complements the film well. The occasional static and humming are minimal disruptions in an otherwise solid and immersive presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Night of the Grizzly" present a fascinating blend of historical insights, interviews, and archival footage. Highlighting Clint Walker's contributions, "The Legend of Big Jim Cole" delivers an in-depth interview with Walker, revealing his experiences and the true story behind his character. The "World Premiere Footage" offers captivating glimpses of the film's 1966 debut in Palm Springs, while "At Home with Clint Walker and His Home Gymnasium" provides a delightful look into Walker's personal life and training routine. Adding scholarly value, the extras include a text essay by C. Courtney Joyner, bolstered by film historian Toby Roan's detailed audio commentary. This collection not only enriches the viewing experience but also serves as an essential resource for film aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Legend of Big Jim Cole: Video interview with Clint Walker discussing the film’s production.
• The Night of the Grizzly World Premiere Footage: Archival footage from the film's 1966 premiere.
• At Home with Clint Walker and His Home Gymnasium: Archival interview showcasing Walker's hobbies and gym.
• Blood on the Claw: How Cheyenne Bodie Became a Movie Star: Text essay by C. Courtney Joyner.
• Commentary: Audio commentary by film historian Toby Roan.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet featuring C. Courtney Joyner's essay.

Joseph Pevney's "The Night of the Grizzly" (1966) is faithfully presented on Blu-ray by Olive Films, leveraging a new digital restoration that improves upon the initial 2012 release. This version, part of Olive Films' Signature Line, is bundled with substantial supplemental features, including archival video interviews with actor Clint Walker, footage from the film's world premiere, new audio commentary by film historian Toby Roan, and an essay booklet by C. Courtney Joyner. The Blu-ray is Region-A locked and comes with optional English SDH subtitles, reflecting a commitment to comprehensive accessibility and archival fidelity.

"The Night of the Grizzly" centers on "Big Jim" Cole, a former lawman turned rancher who encounters various adversaries—from a menacing grizzly bear to envious neighbors and a vengeful outlaw. Despite its promising premise as a classic western, the film struggles with numerous subplots that detract from a fully engaging narrative. Clint Walker’s portrayal of Jim Cole leaves much to be desired; while Walker's formidable physical presence is evident, his character's questionable decisions bring unnecessary peril to his family, muddling his heroism.

Supporting characters such as Sam Potts appear underdeveloped and sporadically integrated into the storyline. However, the film redeems itself in the third act with intense bear encounters and confrontational dynamics involving Cole’s past. Its appeal is also bolstered by impressive cinematography that captures the sweeping Wyoming landscapes. Despite its muddled execution and wandering plotlines, "The Night of the Grizzly" offers moments of genuine tension and visual beauty, appealing to certain fans of the Western genre though lacking a definitive "it" factor.

Olive Films' Blu-ray release of "The Night of the Grizzly" stands out as a meticulously restored version of this classic western. Derived from a new digital restoration, this release showcases an impressive enhancement in both picture and audio quality. The image clarity and color balance are remarkably precise, breathing new life into the rugged landscapes and intense action sequences that define the film. Sound quality is equally compelling, with crisp, clear dialogue and a robust score that heightens the viewing experience.

While the Blu-ray lacks some of the more robust extras found in Olive Films' other signature releases, it compensates with unique archival content. These inclusions provide valuable insights into Hollywood's golden era and will likely appeal to enthusiasts of film history. Even though the supplementary features are lighter, the overall presentation quality solidifies this edition as a worthy addition to any collector's library.

I am big fan of Clint Walker and the various westerns he made during the years. A few remain with Warner Bros. and they have not been put on Blu-ray yet, but Olive Films and Kino Lorber have already released some of the best. The Night of the Grizzly initially appeared on Blu-ray in 2012. This upcoming release from Olive Films is sourced from a new digital restoration of the film and I have to say that I like it a lot. Definitely consider adding it to your collections, folks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.