A Town Called Hell Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image presentation of "A Town Called Hell" (2.35:1 aspect ratio) exemplifies a mixed bag, with the primary strengths found in its adequate sharpness. Detail is notable in sweaty close-ups and costuming, portraying facial textures that enhance performances. The colors are satisfactory, particularly in interior decoration and fabrics, while skin tones maintain accuracy. However, the last act of the film presents significant issues, including posturization, missing frames, and uneasy contrast. There are also visible vertical scratches, chemical burn marks, and speckling, which detract from the overall visual experience.

Despite these shortcomings, the image quality of this 2.35:1 transfer for a film of its vintage is quite impressive. The slight edge enhancement used does not overly detract from viewing pleasure. The grain structure is effectively retained, providing fine detail levels especially in close-ups and medium shots. Primary colors exhibit a decent pop, and flesh tones are rendered with accuracy. Black levels deliver a commendable sense of three-dimensional depth. Expected print wear and tear are present but limited to mild speckling. Overall, this presentation is pleasing and adds to the stylistic elements of the film, marking a commendable Blu-ray debut.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 track on the Blu-ray release of "A Town Called Hell" presents a challenging auditory experience. The primary issue arises from a pronounced hiss that permeates the audio, overshadowing other elements and detracting significantly from the overall listening experience. This hiss becomes particularly disruptive during dialogue exchanges, where whispers and subdued conversations necessitate substantial volume increases. Unfortunately, these elevated volume levels do not blend smoothly with the louder, more violent scenes filled with gunshots and screams. The inconsistency in audio levels results in jarring shifts that can confuse viewers and obscure critical dialogue, impacting the narrative's clarity.

While some aspects of the audio are commendable, such as the clear reproduction of sound effects and a rousing musical score, these positives are undermined by persistent issues. Notably, scenes involving Martin Landau suffer from exceptionally low volume levels, making his dialogue almost unintelligible unless the volume is maximized—a strategy which still proves insufficient in many cases. This discrepancy raises the question of whether the quietness is rooted in the track's design or stems from the film's original sound recordings. Regardless, the frequent necessity to guess at spoken content in pivotal scenes is a significant drawback that diminishes the enjoyment of an otherwise compelling score and effect-laden track.

Overall, despite its moments of auditory brilliance, the inconsistencies and notable deficits in dialogue clarity on this track suggest a need for remediation to ensure a more uniformly positive listening experience.

The Blu-ray release of "A Town Called Hell" offers a surprising lack of supplementary material, with its extras limited to an unrelated trailer. Notably, the inclusion of the Navajo Joe Trailer (HD 1:51) befuddles, given its tenuous connection to the main feature. While the trailer, starring Fernando Rey and Aldo Sambrell, is an engaging addition, its relevance to "A Town Called Hell" is unclear and leaves viewers desiring more pertinent content, such as a trailer or behind-the-scenes features specifically for the main movie. The extras section, therefore, feels underserved for a film of this nature and period.

Extras included in this disc:

• Navajo Joe Trailer: (HD 1:51) Unexpected inclusion featuring Fernando Rey and Aldo Sambrell with little relation to "A Town Called Hell."

"A Town Called Hell" (1971), alternatively titled "A Town Called Bastard" on the Blu-ray, attempts to weave a complex narrative surrounding themes of guilt, loss, and redemption. Despite an ambitious premise, the film often stumbles through its disjointed storytelling and anticlimactic execution. The movie eschews traditional Western swagger for a more theatrical presentation, driven by power plays and confrontations between characters. Anchored by notable performances from Robert Shaw, Martin Landau, Telly Savalas, and Stella Stevens, the film dedicates substantial time to pained reactions and dramatic interpretations. However, convoluted plotting and terrible editing detract from the overall experience, leaving the story feeling scattered and under-supported.

In the town of Bastard, Robert Shaw’s reserved Irish Priest serves at the behest of the ruthless bandit leader Don Carlos, played by Telly Savalas. The arrival of Alvira (Stella Stevens) and her deaf/mute gunman Spectre (Dudley Sutton) disrupts the town’s uneasy equilibrium as she seeks revenge for her husband’s murder. Concurrently, Colonel (Martin Landau) enters the scene with his own vendetta against Aguila, willing to decimate the town to unearth his target. The fragmented narrative attempts to intertwine these characters’ dark pasts but struggles with consistency and coherence.

While the film aspires to blend Spaghetti Western elements with a unique narrative style, its erratic structure hampers its potential. Character motivations fluctuate unpredictably, culminating in an unconvincing resolution. Editing choices further confuse the timeline, with flashbacks disrupting the flow and undermining the central mystery. The inclusion of anachronistic musical scores exacerbates this confusion, leaving viewers disoriented. Ultimately, "A Town Called Hell" aims high but falls short in its execution, offering glimpses of compelling drama muddled by erratic storytelling and subpar technical decisions.

"A Town Called Hell" is an intriguing yet uneven cinematic venture, notable for its meandering narrative structure. The film intriguingly transitions into an extensive flashback during its final act, which disrupts the already minimal narrative momentum. While it's not the most compelling tale of revenge, the feature offers sporadic sequences where it shines, showcasing moments where talent either passionately chews the scenery or delves into impressive internalization.

The movie can be described as peculiar and at times borderlines on being a cinematic mishap. However, strong lead performances and an interesting premise salvage it, making it somewhat watchable. Technically, the Blu-ray release presents a solid image quality, which is commendable for a catalog release. However, the audio quality is lacking and could be a concern for audiophiles. The lack of substantial extra features, with only a trailer for 'Navajo Joe,' further diminishes its appeal.

In conclusion, "A Town Called Hell" may attract viewers with its odd charm and engaging performances but ultimately falls short in delivering a cohesive and gripping narrative. As such, this release is better suited for a rental rather than a purchase, catering primarily to those who have an affinity for unconventional cinema.