Paint Your Wagon 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's 4K UHD presentation of "Paint Your Wagon" is a visual triumph, leveraging an HEVC/H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in the original Panavision theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Mastered from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative, the transfer exhibits exceptional clarity, even in wide shots. The application of Dolby Vision and HDR adds depth to the blacks, particularly noticeable in night and underground scenes, while simultaneously intensifying the already vibrant blues and greens of the film's outdoor settings. Though there are minor instances of fuzziness in some zoomed material and a few establishing shots, these are exceptions in an otherwise impeccable display.

The detail levels in "Paint Your Wagon" are nothing short of spectacular, with every element from set designs to costumes rendered with striking precision. Close-ups reveal intricate details, such as the texture of Lee Marvin’s bristly muttonchops, through Logan and Fraker's expert framing. Grain is tightly resolved throughout the presentation, maintaining a filmic quality that purists will appreciate. Flesh tones are especially well-rendered; ruddy for many of the male characters and pinker for the female characters, offering realistic and natural hues. Overall, this 4K UHD transfer captures the essence of seeing the film on opening night, devoid of any age-related artifacts and bringing the classic musical to life with unparalleled visual fidelity.

"Paint Your Wagon" on 4K UHD Blu-ray provides listeners with both DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 options. The 5.1 mix offers a broader auditory experience, effectively highlighting the rich choral arrangements and Nelson Riddle's energetic orchestrations. Environmental sounds from various outdoor scenes are well-distributed through the side and rear channels, creating an immersive audio environment. Dialogue consistently remains crisp and clear across both tracks, ensuring excellent comprehension.

Interestingly, while the 5.1 mix opens up the soundstage, there is a particular appeal in the dynamic quality of the male chorus numbers in the 2.0 mix. Tracks like the title song and “Beans” benefit from a more focused separation, contributing to a more engaging listening experience in stereo surround. Despite the absence of an overture, the inclusion of Intermission/Entr’acte and Exit Music enhances the nostalgic value of the audio presentation. Optional English subtitles are available for those who prefer or need textual support.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray extras for "Paint Your Wagon" enhance the viewing experience through insightful retrospectives and a collection of promotional materials. The primary highlight is the audio commentary by Lee Marvin biographer Dwayne Epstein, screenwriter/author C. Courtney Joyner, and film historian Henry Parke, who provide an engaging, albeit occasionally erroneous, discourse full of anecdotes about the film and its tangential connections. Their discussion delivers both entertainment and historical intricacies but tends to veer into a chaotic narrative. The inclusion of trailers from both "Paint Your Wagon" and other Kino Lorber releases further enriches the package. This release also features a slipcover, adding a premium touch to the physical presentation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Provided by Lee Marvin biographer Dwayne Epstein, screenwriter/author C. Courtney Joyner, and film historian Henry Parke.
• Trailers: Highlights include "Paint Your Wagon" as well as several other Kino Lorber releases.

Lerner and Loewe's "Paint Your Wagon" underwent substantial modifications in its transition from a modestly successful 1951 Broadway production to a 1969 film. The movie diverges significantly from the stage version, dispensing with original subplots in favor of a reworked narrative by Alan Jay Lerner, complemented by new music from André Previn. Notably, the film relocates the subplot involving a Mormon with two wives to a more central role, excluding an interethnic romance featured in the Broadway version.

The narrative follows Ben Rumson (Lee Marvin) and his newly formed partnership with Pardner (Clint Eastwood) after discovering gold while digging a grave. Their escapades in the booming No Name City are punctuated by the arrival of Elizabeth (Jean Seberg), a Mormon wife sold to Ben, sparking a love triangle. The reconfiguration of the plot struggles with cohesion, leading to inconsistent pacing and some musical numbers feeling shoehorned rather than integrally flowing from the storyline.

Visually, Joshua Logan provides ample grandeur, captured expertly by cinematographer William A. Fraker. Musical highlights include Joseph J. Lilley's notable choral arrangements and Nelson Riddle's Oscar-nominated orchestrations, which feature rich use of harmonica and banjo. Performances are mixed: Lee Marvin’s charismatic yet over-the-top portrayal offers numerous enjoyable moments despite his often off-key sing-talking. Conversely, Clint Eastwood's singing is passable but at times sharp at higher registers. Jean Seberg’s role, while visually appealing, is underutilized despite her character’s central significance to the plot.

Despite its visual splendor and moments of musical enjoyment, "Paint Your Wagon" is hampered by disjointed storytelling and an uneven score. The film strains under the weight of its ambition to cater to changing audience tastes of the late 1960s, resulting in a curious but flawed entry in the canon of musical adaptations.

Paint Your Wagon arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray with a visually arresting transfer that will delight both star watchers and musical aficionados. The presentation showcases the film's vibrant color palette, sharp detailing, and robust clarity, making it a visual feast. Although Joshua Logan's storytelling in the film remains fragmented and somewhat lethargic, the lively score and grand production values significantly elevate the viewing experience.

The audio track provides a rich and immersive soundstage, capturing the nuances of the musical numbers with impressive fidelity. The notorious rendition of "Wandrin' Star" by Lee Marvin is both a standout moment and an interesting historical footnote, having improbably topped the charts in the UK. These technical merits certainly bolster the overall package, though they can't entirely mitigate the narrative shortcomings of the film.

Lovers of musicals would do well to give a listen to the Original Broadway Cast recording of Paint Your Wagon to get some idea of how radically reimagined this property was for its film version. This is big, pretty bawdy entertainment, and it offers Marvin, Eastwood, and Seberg rather good showcases for their talents. Technical merits are solid, and Paint Your Wagon comes Recommended.