Nevada Smith Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Nevada Smith" by Kino Lorber presents the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, utilizing MPEG-4 AVC encoding for a stellar 1080p transfer. This edition is derived from a newly minted 4K master sourced from the original camera negative, ensuring an impressive range of visual quality from very good to outstanding. The film's delineation, clarity, and depth are consistently exceptional, offering viewers tight, attractive visuals steeped in organic qualities. When viewed on larger screens, these elements shine particularly well.

However, a minor issue arises with the color grading, notably in the management of primary blue hues. At times, these colors skew towards a light turquoise. This cooler color temperature occasionally distracts from scenes intended to convey a hot environmental context—an anomaly noted across some new 4K masters under Paramount's purview. Despite this, these deviations are considered minor and infrequent. Overall, there are no visible problems related to digital corrections, ensuring the film maintains its vibrant and healthy appearance throughout.

Please note this Blu-ray is Region-A locked, necessitating a native Region-A or Region-Free player for proper playback.

The Blu-ray release of "Nevada Smith" features a solitary audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. This technical choice effectively translates the film's soundscape, ensuring a clear and well-balanced auditory experience. The absence of any noticeable age-related audio issues highlights the successful restoration efforts accompanying the 4K video master from the original camera negative. Frequencies across various registers maintain robust health, while dynamic intensity and balance align perfectly with expected standards, offering an impressively polished auditory experience.

Despite the limitations of its 2.0 mono format, the DTS-HD Master Audio on this disc provides a thoroughly competent performance. It is worth noting that although full stereo would have added depth, the current configuration delivers excellence within its scope, maintaining fidelity to the era's auditory presentation techniques. The audio comfortably fulfills its role, complementing the enhanced visuals sourced from the new 4K transfer.

For accessibility, optional English SDH subtitles are included and positioned neatly within the image frame, ensuring that viewer engagement remains uninterrupted. This thoughtful addition underscores a well-rounded package, accentuating both clarity and enhancement achieved through contemporary remastering expertise. Overall, the audio component of "Nevada Smith" on Blu-ray stands as a commendable accompaniment to the film's enhanced visual presentation.

The Blu-ray of "Nevada Smith" offers an intriguing suite of extras that both entertain and inform. The included vintage trailers, TV, and radio spots provide a nostalgic glimpse into the film's original promotional campaigns, though the brevity may leave some wanting more depth. The highlight is the new audio commentary by C. Courtney Joyner, Mark Jordan Legan, and Henry Parke. It offers a nuanced perspective despite occasionally downplaying the film's shortcomings, such as the mismanagement of its notable cast. The commentary is rich in historical context, delving into the era's cinematic landscape and the involved actors' careers. Additionally, the disc features a reversible cover with original poster art, adding a collectible aspect for enthusiasts. Although some aspects could benefit from further exploration, the extras collectively enhance the viewing experience for admirers and newcomers alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Vintage U.S. theatrical teaser trailer for Nevada Smith.
• TV Spots: A couple of vintage U.S. TV spots for the film.
• Radio Spot: A vintage U.S. radio spot for Nevada Smith.
• Commentary: Exclusive new audio commentary by C. Courtney Joyner, Mark Jordan Legan, and Henry Parke.
• Cover: A reversible cover with vintage poster art.

"Nevada Smith," directed by Henry Hathaway and released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber, is a visually stunning yet narratively flawed Western film. It follows the journey of Max Sand, played by Steve McQueen, who seeks vengeance for the murder of his parents. While the film's storyline contains intriguing themes of revenge and introspection, it struggles with believability and pacing. Notably, McQueen is miscast as a youthful character, undermining the story's authenticity. The film oscillates between expansive Western visuals and cycles of character development that lack depth. The striking desert locations and an energetic soundtrack by Alfred Newman enhance the visual and auditory experience significantly, setting a vivid period atmosphere.

The film, acting as a prequel to "The Carpetbaggers," attempts to merge classical Western elements with a violent revenge narrative reminiscent of later films featuring Charles Bronson. However, despite its engaging premise and noteworthy soundtrack, the plot is too simplistic for its 131-minute run time. It introduces numerous characters and settings rapidly, resembling a television mini-series in breadth but not in development. The film's sprawling nature means many significant characters and locations appear only briefly, diluting their impact. For instance, Karl Malden's character, pivotal to the storyline, is absent from much of the film, diminishing narrative tension and engagement.

Overall, while "Nevada Smith" demonstrates impressive visual craftsmanship and scoring, its mismatched casting and narrative excess hinder its potential. The film's ambition is clear: to blend expansive storytelling with traditional Western motifs. Yet, it falls short due to rushed sequences and thin character arcs, leaving its core revenge narrative somewhat underwheliced.

"Nevada Smith" is a film peppered with both intriguing and puzzling elements, notably distinguished by its mismatched casting choices. Steve McQueen, though a celebrated actor, appears miscast in crucial early scenes, diminishing the plausibility of his youth-centric role. This misalignment extends to the film’s depiction of familial relationships which appear unconvincing, particularly with characters that lack age-appropriate portrayal. Despite these shortcomings, "Nevada Smith" offers a visual feast—boasting rich cinematography that captures the essence of its Western setting. The talented ensemble of character actors, however, struggles to shine within the confines of a fragmented narrative structure.

The film's adaptation from "The Carpetbaggers" seems ineffectual, with scant traces of its supposed inspiration evident in the storyline. Many promising characters are fleetingly introduced, only to be discarded, this narrative inconsistency leaving viewers yearning for depth and development. Notwithstanding these flaws, the film retains intermittent moments of engagement, powered by well-executed scenes and compelling antagonistic portrayals that elevate certain sequences. Fans of Westerns may appreciate these sporadic bursts of intrigue, recognizing them as redeeming facets of an otherwise faltering narrative.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release introduces a significant technical improvement with its 4K restoration sourced directly from the original camera negative. This enhancement delivers a visual clarity and depth that enthusiasts of high-definition media will find appealing. Ultimately, "Nevada Smith" is best suited for aficionados of Westerns or fans of McQueen's body of work who can overlook its narrative and casting disparities. While it may not stand as an exemplary entry in its genre, the Blu-ray edition serves as a visually engaging revisit, making it a conditional recommendation.