Broken Lance Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Broken Lance" features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.55:1 aspect ratio, drawing attention to the classic CinemaScope visuals captured by legendary cinematographer Joseph MacDonald. The picture quality captures the expansive vistas and detailed production design from the late 1800s setting. A persistent, organic film grain enhances the image's authenticity, providing depth and texture to the scenes. The image maintains a commendable level of sharpness and clarity despite some notable anomalies, such as the occasional Scope mumps and a few out-of-focus second unit shots.

The color palette is executed with restraint, resulting in slightly faded tones that could be attributed to restorative efforts aiming to preserve the film's natural look. Viewers may note a tendency towards darker ambiance and occasional blue shifts. Flesh tones sometimes skew toward brown, reflecting the film’s original aesthetic. Despite these minor issues, the primary colors maintain adequate vibrancy without overwhelming the scene, and black levels are robust, adding substantial depth without evident crush issues. The transfer effectively manages optical transitions, avoiding abrupt shifts in color and clarity often seen in other CinemaScope titles like 'Journey To The Center of the Earth' and 'Hombre,' thereby offering a smoother visual experience.

'Broken Lance' offers two primary audio formats: a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.0 track and a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 option. The 5.0 mix closely recreates the film’s original 4-track stereo presentation, providing a wide soundstage particularly well-suited to Leigh Harline’s score and intricate sound effects. Notably, it employs traditional techniques such as panning for galloping horses and pronounced gunfire, which effectively contribute to the immersive experience. While some instances in the 5.0 track can sound slightly diffused, it still manages to maintain a clear and well-prioritized dialogue delivery.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround mix offers greater dimensionality, imaging, and atmosphere, enhancing the movie's outdoor scenes with a richer auditory spectrum that the 2.0 mix cannot fully replicate. Conversely, the 2.0 mix stands out during quieter, dialogue-driven moments where it feels more present and robust. Both tracks excel in clarity and balance, ensuring crisp dialogue without distortion or hiss, preserving the integrity of Harline’s deeper tones that engage the lower registers effectively. Thus, while preference may vary among listeners, the 5.1 mix tends to provide a more vibrant and encompassing experience, especially in capturing the outdoor vistas with a dynamic auditory presence.

The extras on the "Broken Lance" Blu Ray disc offer a comprehensive and engaging enhancement to the viewing experience. The Isolated Score Track in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 provides an audibly rich rendition of the film’s music. The Audio Commentary featuring Earl Holliman and hosted by historian Nick Redman offers deep insights into the production, relationships, and behind-the-scenes interactions, made all the more engaging by Redman's expert probing questioning. The Fox Movietone Newsreel presents a delightful historical snippet from the year's Academy Awards festivities in a nostalgic 480i resolution. Both trailers are included in 480i with minor differences, providing a glimpse into the film's initial promotional strategies while showcasing the meticulous restoration work.

Extras included in this disc:

• Isolated Score Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
• Audio Commentary: Earl Holliman and Nick Redman provide detailed insights.
• Fox Movietone Newsreel: Short piece on that year's Academy Awards festivities.
• Trailer #1: Poliched promotional clip.
• Trailer #2: Second promotional clip with slight variations.

"Broken Lance," directed by Edward Dmytryk and featuring screen legend Spencer Tracy, stands out as a unique and compelling Western from the 1950s. Dmytryk's deft touch combines the rugged aesthetic of the genre with deep sociological and psychological underpinnings, exploring themes of racial tensions and paternal legacy reminiscent of Shakespeare’s "King Lear." The narrative unfolds the story of Joe Devereaux (Robert Wagner), a so-called half-breed caught in familial strife and societal prejudice. The central conflict revolves around Joe's strained relationship with his three older Caucasian brothers, Ben (Richard Widmark), Mike (Hugh O'Brian), and Denny (Earl Holliman), highlighting deep-seated bigotry and a fierce battle for the inheritance of their father Matt’s (Spencer Tracy) cattle empire.

The film employs a layered flashback structure, starting with Joe's release from prison and gradually unfolding the abusive dynamics between Matt and his sons. It's evident that Matt's favoritism towards Joe, born of his second marriage to a Native American woman, Señora (Katy Jurado in an Oscar-nominated role), breeds jealousy and animosity among the siblings. The stellar performances by the ensemble cast add to the film's intensity. Tracy's portrayal of Matt is one of dictatorial authority, underpinned by moral flaws. Widmark delivers a nuanced performance as the vindictive elder brother Ben, while Wagner excels in depicting Joe's conflicted loyalty and righteousness.

With its striking Cinemascope visuals approved by studio chief Daryl F. Zanuck, "Broken Lance" transcends the conventional Western by integrating rich allegory and social commentary without compromising its engaging narrative. This film not only critiques race relations and inheritance entitlements but also underscores the complexities of familial loyalty and dysfunction. As a blend of compelling storytelling, memorable performances, and pertinent themes, "Broken Lance" remains a timeless classic that captivates audiences with its emotional depth and moral dilemmas.

Twilight Time's Blu-ray release of "Broken Lance" is a display of technical excellence, enhancing the film's sprawling Western landscapes captured in CinemaScope with precision and vibrancy. The transfer offers crystal clear details, vivid color reproduction, and robust contrast, making the picturesque vistas stand out brilliantly. Skin tones are consistently accurate, while blacks remain deep and solid. The audio presentation is equally impressive, with a surround track that adeptly replicates the separation effects of the original 4-track mag prints, providing an immersive auditory experience.

Accompanying the stunning visual and audio refinements is a suite of enriching bonus content. The isolated music score serves to highlight the film's evocative soundtrack, while the commentary by film historian Nick Redman and actor Earl Holliman offers engaging insights into the film, the blacklist era, and the workings of the old studio system. Additional features include two original theatrical trailers and a newsreel that captures the Academy Awards ceremony where writer Philip Yordan received an Oscar for "Broken Lance", adding historical value to this comprehensive package.

This Blu-ray release of "Broken Lance" is a must-have for fans of classic cinema and Westerns. The exceptional performances by Spencer Tracy, Katy Jurado, Richard Widmark, and Robert Wagner enhance a narrative that, while familiar, remains profoundly thoughtful and engaging. A meticulous transfer paired with insightful supplemental content secures this edition as a significant addition to any collection. Recommended without reservation.

Broken Lance offers excellent performances and a compelling story of turning the other cheek, all within the confines of an extremely scenic Western ambience that makes the most of the CinemaScope frame. A bit too rote for its own good, the film is still surprisingly thoughtful and provides great showcases for Tracy, Jurado, Wagner and Widmark. Recommended.