The Green Berets Blu-ray Review

"The Green Berets" arrives on Blu-ray with a commendable 1080p VC-1 transfer presented in the 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio, breathing new life into this John Wayne classic. The color palette is lush and vibrant, with reds and greens especially standing out, adding to the believability of the environments portrayed. Skin tones have a warm, Hollywood tan hue that complements the tropical setting. Explosions create powerful fireballs, particularly effective during night scenes, while contrast remains robust and dynamic, resulting in deep blacks that enhance the overall depth of the image.

Despite the overall impressive visual presentation, there are some notable issues. A significant amount of DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) has been applied to reduce grain, which may be divisive among purists but generally results in a clean image. However, this action sometimes causes the grain in the skies to resemble a flickering, soupy mess. Additionally, several night scenes suffer from softness and smearing, particularly in chapter eleven, likely due to the original print's condition. Edge definition and detail are generally adequate, with foliage and fabrics appearing convincing, but occasional artifacting, crush, aliasing, and ringing issues are present.

Overall, while not a benchmark for videophiles, Warner's restoration of "The Green Berets" on Blu-ray is a substantial improvement over previous releases. The transfer's strengths—vibrant colors, dynamic contrast, and detailed textures—outweigh its flaws, offering genre enthusiasts with reasonable expectations a visually engaging experience.

The audio presentation of "The Green Berets" on Blu-ray is delivered through a Dolby TrueHD mono track, which stays faithful to the film’s original sound design. This purist approach results in all audio, including dialogue, effects, and Miklós Rózsa’s score, being channeled through the front center speaker. While commendably authentic, this choice produces mixed results. Dialogue clarity is generally adequate, but nuances can be lost beneath ambient noise or during more intense sequences. The absence of low-frequency effects means explosions and gunfire lack the desired impact and sometimes distort the higher frequencies, leading to occasional pops and cracks.

Despite the respectable clarity, the TrueHD mono track exhibits significant dynamic range limitations. The audio lacks depth and fails to permeate the room, often sounding flat and somewhat tinny. The mix struggles during action scenes, where the higher frequencies can become overly bright and distorted, detracting from the immersive experience. While the track avoids modern sound design intrusions, it fails to fully leverage the advancements in audio technology, making some scenes feel more dated than they should. Overall, while it’s not a complete disaster, the decision to retain the original mono track results in an experience that could have benefited from a more balanced and immersive remastering.

The Blu-ray release of "The Green Berets" offers a modest selection of extras that provide a nostalgic glance into the film's production and promotion. The available bonus features include "The Moviemakers: The Making of The Green Berets," a 7-minute standard-definition vintage EPK segment with promotional behind-the-scenes footage and brief comments from the filmmakers. Although more in-depth interviews with the cast and crew would have been appreciated, this feature still provides an easy, mildly enjoyable watch for enthusiasts. Additionally, the disc contains the original theatrical trailer in standard definition, offering a quaint look back at 1960s trailer production with its distinctive, slightly corny style, characterized by a roll call-style announcement of cast members.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Moviemakers: The Making of The Green Berets: Behind-the-scenes footage and promotional commentary.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer with period-specific style and narration.

"The Green Berets" arrives on Blu-Ray with a solid 1080p VC-1 transfer, showcasing well-rendered skin tones, vibrant jungle greens, and deep blacks in its 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The image quality, while sharp overall, does experience some focus issues during night scenes. Accompanying the visuals is a Dolby TrueHD mono audio track that might not satisfy surround sound enthusiasts, but remains true to the film's original 1968 release. The Blu-Ray includes a short featurette and a theatrical trailer as extras.

As a film, "The Green Berets" is heavily weighted with clunky propaganda and dated clichés. John Wayne aims to provide a staunch defense of U.S. involvement in Vietnam through an unwavering lens, reducing the narrative to a heavy-handed, politically charged piece rather than a nuanced exploration of its characters' humanity. Critics often highlight its simplistic portrayal of communists as evil and Americans as saviors, ignoring the complexities inherent in war. The story follows Colonel Kirby (John Wayne) as he leads his men through various operations in Vietnam, often accompanied by overly preachy dialogue and stereotypical characterizations.

While featuring commendable production values and some engaging action sequences, the film ultimately succumbs to an overt agenda that overshadows any potential for a compelling narrative. It lacks the emotional depth and character development seen in more lauded war films. "The Green Berets" has struggled to attain the same level of respect or relevance as other Vietnam or John Wayne movies, viewed by many as an outdated relic rather than a classic war epic. Consequently, this Blu-Ray release may only truly appeal to die-hard John Wayne fans and completists.

"The Green Berets," directed by and starring John Wayne, stands as an early depiction of the Vietnam War but falls short in capturing the complexities of the conflict. Wayne's attempt to honor the soldiers while separating them from the war itself is noteworthy, yet his approach oversimplifies the intricate political and social layers involved. The film ultimately emerges as a naïve and overly patriotic portrayal that fails to address the nuanced reality of the war, positioning itself as a relic of its time rather than a timeless piece of cinema.

The Blu-ray release is equally unimpressive. The video transfer suffers from significant issues, failing to meet the expectations for a high-definition presentation. The audio, presented in Dolby TrueHD mono, lacks the depth and clarity that modern viewers anticipate from such releases. Compounding the disappointment is a meager selection of supplemental content, amounting to just ten minutes of additional material. This starkly contrasts with the abundance of deserving classics still awaiting their high-definition debuts.

In summary, both the film and its Blu-ray manifestation offer little beyond historical interest. While "The Green Berets" may appeal to die-hard fans of John Wayne looking to complete their collection, it is unlikely to resonate with contemporary audiences or critics. The technical shortcomings of the Blu-ray further diminish its appeal, making it an underwhelming addition to one's home theater library. For those seeking a more profound and accurate portrayal of the Vietnam War, numerous other films better encapsulate the era's complexity and gravity.