The Alaskans: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Alaskans: The Complete Series" Blu-ray release is an exemplary showcase of Warner Archive’s commitment to high-quality restoration. Utilizing new 4K scans from the original camera negatives, this collection offers a viewing experience that far surpasses its original broadcast. Despite the series not being inherently visually captivating, the Blu-ray presentation excels in delivering excellent detail and contrast across its nine-disc set. Each disc, housing four episodes with running times around 52 minutes each, maintains high bit rates, ensuring minimal occurrences of macro blocking. Any rare grain fluctuation aligns with source-specific factors rather than digital over-processing, and the manual clean-up process has effectively eliminated remnants of age-related wear while preserving a true film-like texture.

The original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 is retained, emphasizing the meticulously restored clarity and crispness of the black and white photography. This clarity, remarkably pronounced, aids in distinguishing production footage from stock footage, which was previously blended in standard definition broadcasts. This praiseworthy technical achievement does sometimes reveal unanticipated details like studio backdrops, yet the overall quality elevates the historical value of the series significantly. The blend of practical and stock footage techniques showcases a cleverly expanded depiction of 1950s television production aesthetics. This release sets a new benchmark for classic television restorations on modern displays, individually marking each episode's title and airdate for enriched viewing context.

Collectively, "The Alaskans" on Blu-ray provides a superior visual experience that underscores both Warner Archive’s exceptional restoration prowess and the potential for older television content to be revitalized for contemporary audiences.

The audio presentation of "The Alaskans: The Complete Series" on Blu-ray is delivered through a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio split-channel mix, adapted from the original mono source material. This careful adaptation preserves the integrity of the audio by eliminating age-related flaws such as hiss, popping, and distortion, while maintaining a nostalgic, period-specific charm. The dynamic range is decent, with high-volume elements like gunshots and crowds retaining their authentic, albeit slightly thin, high-end sound profile. Unlike some modern remasters, this presentation avoids unnecessary digital smoothing, ensuring purists appreciate the series' pristine yet authentic sonic footprint.

Presented via the lossless DTS-HD MA codec, the audio quality is on par with the visual elements, providing clear and intelligible dialogue essential for capturing nuances such as Roger Moore's occasional slip in accent. Sound effects and music cues are robust without being intrusive, creating a rich auditory texture. Additionally, the end title song delivers its expected impact, complementing the overall soundscape. Notably, there are no signs of digital over-manipulation. The inclusion of optional English SDH subtitles across all 36 episodes further enhances accessibility, ensuring the viewing experience is comprehensive and user-friendly.

The Blu-ray set of "The Alaskans: The Complete Series" offers a sturdy nine-disc presentation but, unfortunately, lacks in the extras department—a common trend with Warner Archive releases. While the omission wasn't unexpected, it’s deemed a missed opportunity by reviewers. They note that the inclusion of original broadcast bumpers was a valued addition, as these artifacts nearly didn't make it into the set. However, there's a clearly expressed desire for added context, such as a featurette on the remastering process or commentary to illuminate the historical significance and production intricacies of the series. Additionally, understanding that several episodes were adapted from scripts of other Warner shows like "Maverick" or "Cheyenne," reviewers suggest including these original versions could have provided enriching comparative content without needing new bonus material creation. Overall, the absence of such extras limits deeper exploration of this classic series.

Extras included in this disc:

The Alaskans: The Complete Series on Blu-ray expertly captures a unique slice of television history set against the backdrop of late 19th-century Skagway during the Alaskan Gold Rush. This one-season series from Warner Bros. Television, originally aired from 1959 to 1960, features a standout role by Roger Moore as Silky Harris, marking his first substantial American TV appearance. Alongside Jeff York and Dorothy Provine, Moore forms a dynamic trio engaging in comedic and sometimes dangerous schemes to seek fortune through dishonest means. Despite being derived from recycled Maverick scripts due to a Writers Guild strike and filmed on sunny Los Angeles backlots, the show successfully balances its amusing and dramatic narratives without appearing repetitive, thanks to the chemistry of its cast and a bevy of notable guest stars.

The series diverges from typical Westerns of its era by offering diverse stories and tones across its episodes. While dramatic episodes place Moore's character in life-threatening scenarios, comedic episodes, where Silky's schemes come alive with humor, particularly leverage Moore’s talent. The show adeptly maintains consistent tones throughout—dramas aren’t undermined with humor, and comedies avoid unnecessary gravitas. Although the black-and-white production lacks full-color exoticism, it still manages to craft a distinctive atmosphere. Additionally, there's an array of notable guest appearances from the 1950s TV landscape, adding a layer of intrigue as familiar faces crop up in each episode.

Despite the show's short-lived run, viewers today can appreciate its context within the late 1950s standards. Some character depictions reflect outdated norms, but nothing feels malicious. For classic television enthusiasts, The Alaskans offers a refreshing twist on the Western genre, bringing highlights of America's fleeting interest in exotic landscapes combined with engaging performances and memorable storylines—a time capsule of vintage entertainment presented in a well-restored Blu-ray set featuring all 36 episodes.

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "The Alaskans: The Complete Series" is a noteworthy addition to the realm of classic television on home video, showcasing an impressive restoration effort. Utilizing 4K sourcing, the visual clarity achieved for a 1950s-era series is extraordinary and elevates the viewing experience significantly. The series, while not perhaps a pinnacle of television history, presents an enjoyable and nostalgic journey into the era’s studio-driven productions. The inclusion of original bumpers further underscores the meticulous care taken in this release, appealing to both fans of vintage television and collectors seeking high-quality transfers.

Despite its remarkable restoration quality, the Blu-ray edition does lack additional extras that many enthusiasts have come to expect from home video releases. This aspect might be seen as a drawback; however, given the extensive restoration and high-quality visual presentation, this shortfall is a minor issue in the grand scheme of the release. The project stands as a testament to Warner Archive's commitment and expertise in handling classic television content, setting a benchmark for future releases in this genre.

Conclusively, while "The Alaskans" might not be recommended as a blind purchase due to its current pricing, it remains a highly esteemed acquisition for aficionados of vintage television. The level of dedication evident in this Blu-ray edition ensures it is a must-have for the right audience. Warner Archive has once again proven their prowess in presenting classic television with unparalleled technical and visual fidelity. Highly recommended for those who appreciate the historical significance and nostalgic charm of 1950s television.