Navajo Joe Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Navajo Joe" maintains its original 2.34:1 Techniscope aspect ratio and utilizes an MPEG-4 AVC encode, delivering a 1080p transfer courtesy of Kino Lorber. This release reuses the same HD master from Kino's 2015 Blu-ray, with some enhancements. The film grain and color palette generally appear faithful to the original presentation, but shortcomings from the underlying master are still evident. Large sections of the film appear soft and flat, with grain exposure inconsistencies and inherited fluctuations that detract from the visual experience. While color balance remains stable, the saturation levels and depth of darker scenes are not up to modern standards. Subtle nuances often lack convincing detail, especially on larger screens, necessitating a remaster in 2K or 4K for a truly satisfactory visual experience.

Moreover, this Special Edition Blu-ray does offer some incremental improvements over its predecessor. The dual-layer disc and higher bitrate encoding result in better overall resolution. However, technical blemishes such as scratches, tears, and occasional dirt marks are still present, albeit not to the point of being off-putting. Despite these imperfections, this Special Edition represents the best visual quality available for "Navajo Joe" on home video to date. It should be noted that this version is Region-A locked, requiring a Region-A or Region-Free player for playback. While the current presentation is serviceable, a more thorough remaster would significantly elevate the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Navajo Joe" features a singular audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, complemented by optional English SDH subtitles embedded within the frame. The lossless track delivers a solid auditory experience, with clean and intelligible dialogue, particularly notable during action sequences such as the train raid and various shootouts. However, listeners may notice some audio thinning at higher volumes, a common issue with English dubs of Italian spaghetti westerns. This suggests that a remastered audio could potentially offer subtle, yet impactful enhancements.

The DTS-HD Master Audio faithfully reproduces the film's original English dub mono soundtrack, encompassing dialogue, sound effects, and Ennio Morricone's music score, credited under the pseudonym "Leo Nichols." The track exhibits minimal distortion artifacts like crackling, clicking, volume dropouts, hissing, and popping, maintaining integrity throughout. Compared to Kino’s previous 2015 Blu-ray release, this Special Edition Blu-ray provides an equivalent level of audio quality, ensuring an engaging and authentic listening experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Navajo Joe" are exceptionally curated, presenting both historical depth and modern insights. Filmmaker Alex Cox provides an engaging newly recorded commentary detailing the film's cast and crew, shooting sites, and production trivia. Enhancing this, an archival commentary by Ennio Morricone historian Gary Palmucci offers scene-specific analysis of Morricone’s memorable score, a feature initially included in Kino’s 2015 release. The extras are rounded out with a variety of vintage trailers, adding to the nostalgic and comprehensive nature of this collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Alex Cox: Newly recorded insights on the film’s cast, crew, and production.
• Commentary by Gary Palmucci: Archival scene-specific breakdown of Morricone’s score.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage trailer for Navajo Joe.
• Bonus KLSC Trailers: Additional trailers from related films.

Sergio Corbucci's 1966 film "Navajo Joe" is a seminal work in the spaghetti western genre, capturing the raw and unvarnished look of the Old West with a unique blend of international talent. The narrative focuses on Navajo Joe, portrayed by Burt Reynolds, who stands as the lone protector of the town of Esperanza against the ruthless gang leader Duncan, played by Aldo Sambrell. The tension culminates in a riveting final showdown in a Navajo cemetery, solidifying the high-stakes drama of the film.

With a script penned by Ugo Pirro, Fernando di Leo, and Piero Regnoli, "Navajo Joe" benefits greatly from contributors' extensive backgrounds in cinema. The film doesn't shy away from depicting the prejudicial attitudes of its era, an aspect that sets it apart from more glorified Hollywood versions of the West. Spain's scenic landscapes serve as an evocative stand-in for the American Southwest, masterfully captured by cinematographer Silvano Ippoliti. Ennio Morricone’s memorable soundtrack underscores the film's narrative and action sequences, enhancing the exotic flair typical of Corbucci's westerns.

While technically proficient and visually striking, "Navajo Joe" suffers from notably stilted English dubbing that detracts from the overall experience. Some character development feels forced, with one-dimensional roles diminishing the story’s depth. Despite these drawbacks, the film excels in delivering epic set pieces, particularly the train attack and the concluding battle. Moreover, Quentin Tarantino's enduring admiration for "Navajo Joe" attests to its impactful storytelling and significant place within the genre. With its deglamorized portrayal of frontier life and engaging action sequences, "Navajo Joe" stands as an influential entry into the spaghetti western catalog.

Kino Lorber's reissue of "Navajo Joe" delivers an improved technical presentation over its earlier 2015 counterpart. Utilizing the existing MGM master, this release still exhibits the same limitations that lend the film a somewhat outdated appearance. While a satisfactory visual upgrade is noticeable, thanks to superior HD transfer resolution, it's evident that a more comprehensive restoration, ideally in 2K or 4K, is necessary for the film to truly shine in high-definition.

"Navajo Joe," initially overlooked by both critics and audiences upon its initial release in America, holds considerable significance in the Spaghetti Western genre. It marks a pivotal point in Burt Reynolds' burgeoning career as a leading man and underscores Sergio Corbucci's esteemed position among directors in this genre, second only to Sergio Leone. This Kino Lorber edition includes a newly added commentary track and retains a legacy special feature from the previous release, making it a substantial package for enthusiasts of both Reynolds and Corbucci's work.

In conclusion, while this reissue of "Navajo Joe" does achieve some technical improvements and offers valuable supplementary content, it relies on an older MGM master that somewhat hampers its visual potential. A proper 2K or 4K restoration would significantly enhance the viewing experience. For collectors and fans of the Spaghetti Western genre, this Blu-ray represents the best available home video option but does not warrant an upgrade if you already own the 2015 release.