There Was a Crooked Man... Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive’s Blu-ray presentation of "There Was a Crooked Man..." maintains its reputation for high-quality transfers, providing a visual experience that is both immersive and technically impressive. Sourced from likely 2K or 4K scans, the 1080p transfer showcases excellent clarity and detail. The film’s original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 is preserved, capturing the expansive landscapes and confined spaces with striking precision. The sun-baked exteriors shot in Joshua Tree National Park juxtaposed against the dark, claustrophobic jail interiors are rendered beautifully, with a maintained grain structure that enhances the film-like quality. Textures are impressive in both close-ups and wide shots, with natural skin tones and intricate facial features consistently visible.

Color reproduction in this transfer is particularly noteworthy, with a natural palette dominated by earth tones but punctuated by vibrant primaries like the blue-orange cell interiors and the detailed colorful chalk drawings. Blacks are deep and natural without any crushing, and fine detail remains intact across all lighting conditions. Depth of field is well-managed, with no distortion or motion artifacts detected. The film’s encoding using MPEG-4 AVC ensures that the transfer remains clean, with no signs of digital manipulation, artifacts, or banding.

Overall, the Blu-ray disc encoded on a BD-50 layer offers robust color saturation and sharpness, delivering an image that feels both pristine and true to its original presentation. While Warner Archive has not disclosed specific details about the transfer source, the results are undeniably impressive, making it an essential addition for those who appreciate top-tier video quality in classic film releases.

The Blu-ray release of "There Was a Crooked Man..." features a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix, which adeptly translates its original one-channel source audio to the two-channel format, delivering a surprisingly robust auditory experience. This mix maintains clean and clear dialogue, with balanced background elements. Despite some thinner segments due to source material limitations, the mix overall stands out with its dynamic reproduction of gunfire and big explosions. Charles Strouse's original score is presented with impressive clarity, enhancing the overall audio experience without any perceptible defects such as hiss, crackle, or drop-outs.

The monaural soundtrack is presented via lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 encoding, ensuring a well-mixed track where dialogue remains discernible at all times. Though Strouse’s score might sometimes feel out of place with the film’s tone, it is nonetheless reproduced with exceptional fidelity. The audio track demonstrates excellent balancing of vocals, music, and effects, making for an engaging and impactful experience despite its mono origins. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are provided for the main feature only, a notable limitation compared to previously available DVD versions.

In essence, the audio presentation of "There Was a Crooked Man..." is meticulously restored and cleaned, resulting in a solid mix free from any age-related defects. The DTS-HD Master Audio ensures an encompassing and impactful soundstage that remains true to its original form, offering a clean and engaging auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "There Was a Crooked Man..." offer a serviceable, though not extensive, look into the film's production. The vintage featurette, "On Location" (10:25), originally produced as a promotional piece, provides a nostalgic and insightful overview of the on-set experience through the perspective of co-star Michael Blodgett. This supplement stands out as a time capsule showcasing behind-the-scenes content, character summaries, and an intriguing tour of the desert-built prison set. Accompanying this is the theatrical trailer (3:02), presented in high definition. While not exhaustive, these extras are valuable additions, particularly for fans interested in the movie's backstory and context.

Extras included in this disc:

• Vintage Featurette: On Location: An overview of the film's set, characters, and production details through co-star Michael Blodgett's eyes.
• Theatrical Trailer: High-definition promotional piece capturing the film's essence.

Joseph L. Mankiewicz's "There Was a Crooked Man..." is an unusual Western, blending genre elements of crime, comedy, drama, and prison film. The story revolves around the cunning Paris Pitman Jr. (Kirk Douglas), a charismatic bandit who hides his stolen loot before being incarcerated in a desolate Arizona prison. The addition of characters like the morally upright Sheriff Woodward Lopeman (Henry Fonda) and an eccentric assortment of inmates, including standout performances by Burgess Meredith and Warren Oates, injects energy into this seemingly dust-laden tale. However, while Douglas's performance sparkles with bravado and mischief, the film suffers from a lackluster execution despite its notable cast and robust screenplay by David Newman and Robert Benton.

A significant shortcoming is the film’s uneven tone and bloated pacing. With a runtime of 123 minutes, Mankiewicz’s direction often feels sluggish, undermining the punchy dialogue and the clever setup. The cinematography by Harry Stradling Jr., while reliable, rarely captures the allure of the Western landscape, and Charles Strouse’s score feels out of place, anchoring the film too firmly in its 1970 production period rather than the intended 1883. Consequently, scenes that should brim with tension or humor instead drag, losing the sharpness required to sustain engagement across its prolonged duration.

Despite these flaws, "There Was a Crooked Man..." offers moments of striking visual composition and engaging character play. Kirk Douglas's dynamic performance provides a focal point, though Henry Fonda’s role as Lopeman is underwritten, leaving his talent underutilized. While Mankiewicz's techniques served him well in other genres, here they fall short, making for an indifferent experience that neither excels as a Western nor as a comedy. This film holds intrinsic value for its cast’s efforts and its occasionally brilliant scenes but remains a middling entry in the rich tapestry of 1970s cinema.

Review: There Was a Crooked Man… Blu-ray

Joseph Mankiewicz's "There Was a Crooked Man…" may suffer from tonal inconsistencies and a somewhat meandering plot, but it remains an engaging and enjoyable experience, largely thanks to its impressive cast and sharp script. While some unnecessary side-plots and occasional pacing issues are present, these do not detract substantially from the overall enjoyment of the film. The Blu-ray release by Warner Archive excels, presenting the film in top-tier 1080p quality alongside strong lossless audio. Though the legacy extras are few, they provide valuable insights into the movie's original marketing context.

Warner Archive's Blu-ray edition stands as a testament to the company's commitment to high-quality video and audio restoration. The presentation is impeccable, showcasing the film with clarity and precision that is sure to delight long-time fans. While the supplementary materials are light, they include a noteworthy featurette from the film's production era, offering an intriguing glimpse behind the scenes. This restoration makes an argument for the film as an underrated western that, despite its flaws, has influenced the genre.

In conclusion, "There Was a Crooked Man…" is a flawed yet fascinating film that enthusiasts of classic westerns will appreciate. Warner Archive's Blu-ray release brings this hidden gem to life with sharp visuals and pristine audio. If you are already a fan or intrigued by the distinguished cast and director, this edition is worth adding to your collection. For newcomers, trying it out via rental might be a prudent first step.