The Unholy Four Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image for "The Unholy Four," presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, is evidently sourced from a recent scan, resulting in an unexpectedly fresh and highly textured viewing experience. The 1080p transfer gracefully captures fine film grain, maintaining a natural appearance without excessive noise. Detail levels are impressive, highlighting facial features, make-up artistry, costume intricacies, and the craftsmanship of the set designs. Close-ups are particularly revealing, and the distances come across as dimensional and lifelike.

Color representation is robust and stable, adeptly handling various elements such as western gear, vibrant female costumes, town signage, and greenery, delivering an authentic feel of the open country. The traditionally warmer color palette lends a subtle yellowish tone to most scenes, but it doesn't distort skin tones or primary colors. Skintones remain natural throughout. Minor imperfections like speckling and occasional jumpy frames are present but do not significantly detract from the overall quality. Overall, while this isn't quite reference quality, it is a very strong back catalog release with much to appreciate visually.

The audio presentation of "The Unholy Four" on Blu-ray features a 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix that prominently showcases Riz Ortolani's energetic score. This mix offers a robust presence, creating a confident auditory experience, though the instrumentations lack precision. Both the English and Italian DTS-HD MA tracks present dubbed dialogue with a somewhat canned and artificial quality, yet the words remain comprehensible. The Italian track provides a slightly more natural sound, but the English track aligns more closely with traditional Spaghetti Western expectations.

Sound effects are characteristically exaggerated, providing an unmistakable punch where necessary. However, these effects tend to be blunt, with gunshots and horse gallops lacking sharpness. Throughout the audio experience, a persistent hiss is noticeable. Imaging is restricted, but there's an appreciable sense of presence in critical scenes. Overall, both tracks deliver an engaging and satisfactory audio experience, with the score providing a cohesive and entertaining backdrop regardless of the language preference.

The Blu Ray release of "The Unholy Four" comes packed with a robust set of extras that enhances the viewing experience significantly. The overall quality of the supplementary material is commendable, with a particular emphasis on high definition trailers and interviews. The extras are thoughtfully curated to provide a deeper insight into the film’s context and production, further enriching the main feature. The inclusion of notable historical references and actor interviews gives fans an opportunity to explore the creative minds behind the scenes. This collection maintains a professional tone, ensuring an engaging and informative experience for cinephiles.

Extras included in this disc:

• 'Navajo Joe' Trailer: HD version of the trailer.
• 'Sabata' Trailer: HD trailer showcasing key scenes.

"The Unholy Four" (1970), directed by Enzo Barboni (a.k.a. E.B. Clucher), delivers a lively, albeit inconsistent, spaghetti western experience. At its core lies an amnesia storyline, where the protagonist (Leonard Mann) escapes a prison riot with three fellow inmates and embarks on a journey to reclaim his lost identity in the town of Oxaca. The plot thickens with familial and territorial conflicts, and despite narrative jumps and tonal shifts, the film remains engaging through its eccentricity and occasional humor. The cast, including Woody Strode, Peter Martell, and George Eastman, offer competent performances, although the film's dramatic ambitions sometimes bewilder.

Barboni's "The Unholy Four" combines traditional western elements with a peculiar mix of stylistic choices. While Riz Ortolani's score adds a commendable layer of atmosphere, Barboni’s direction juggles gritty violence with peculiar comedic touches, notably during chaotic brawls and exaggerated physical stunts. This tonal duality can lead to confusion, as the film oscillates between serious identity quests and almost vaudeville-level action. Despite these fluctuations, fans of the genre will appreciate the shootouts, chases, and character dynamics that keep the essence of a spaghetti western alive.

Technical execution sees "The Unholy Four" favoring excessive close-ups and embellished threats that occasionally stagnate the pace. Yet, it is this same ornamental indulgence that gives the film its unique charm. Ultimately, while not a groundbreaking entry in the genre, "The Unholy Four" offers sufficient entertainment value through its jaunty tone, dark humor, and violent escapades. Its familiarity might strike as derivative at times, but it does not retract from making it an enjoyable ride for western enthusiasts.

The Unholy Four offers an engaging dive into the realm of Spaghetti Westerns, characterized by its robust cinematography and a resonant score that enhances the film’s tone. The narrative tackles themes of identity and honor, punctuated by some intriguing plot twists. However, it occasionally diverts into less meaningful activities that detract from the overall storytelling. Despite these narrative hiccups, the film's visual and auditory elements significantly bolster its cinematic appeal.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "The Unholy Four" delivers an outstanding audio-visual (A/V) presentation. The video quality is crisp with vibrant color grading, which preserves the atmospheric intent of the original cinematography. Meanwhile, the audio mix is well-balanced, providing an immersive sound experience that complements the imagery on screen. However, the absence of supplementary materials or bonus features is a noticeable downside for enthusiasts and collectors.

Altogether, "The Unholy Four" manages to stay entertaining throughout despite its occasionally inconsistent tone. Those seeking a fun, action-packed Spaghetti Western will find this film an enjoyable watch. Its technical presentation on Blu-ray further solidifies its appeal. Although not without its flaws, this release is a recommended addition for genre fans.

The Unholy Four does carry itself cinematically, pushed along by terrific cinematography and the aforementioned score, which really captures the tone of the movie. It's certainly not a lazy effort, attacking questions of self and honor with a few twists and turns along the way. But priorities are a bit screwy, periodically finding The Unholy Four more interested in meaningless behaviors than riveting storytelling.