Backlash Blu-ray Review
Score: 58
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Backlash, though not Sturges' finest, delivers an engrossing Technicolor western experience with outstanding performances and a vibrant Blu-ray transfer.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 57
The Blu-ray presentation of "Backlash" showcases a 1080p transfer in a unique 2.00:1 aspect ratio, offering good clarity and depth from an older master, with vibrant Technicolor cinematography. While some dated visuals and a reddish hue in flesh tones are evident, the overall color reproduction and contrast maintain a filmic texture and stable image, despite minor blemishes.
Audio: 77
The Blu-ray's English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track delivers a robust and nuanced experience, with clear dialogue, crisp sound effects like gunshots, and a wide dynamic range for Herman Stein's score, though minor rebalancing could enhance it further.
Extra: 26
The Blu-ray extras of 'Backlash' include a vintage trailer and a compelling audio commentary by Samm Deighan. She offers insightful analysis on the film's evolution within post-WWII and Cold War contexts, explores its Freudian and noir elements, and delves into key figures like Donna Reed and director John Sturges.
Movie: 61
Backlash (1956), directed by John Sturges, offers a complex yet uneven western experience. With its noir-infused narrative and nuanced performances, particularly from Richard Widmark and Donna Reed, it stands as a visually captivating exercise in genre-blending. Despite meandering plot lines and clichéd elements, its blend of psychological themes and stunning Arizona cinematography provides engaging depth.
Video: 57
The Blu-ray presentation of Backlash, with its distinctive 2.00:1 aspect ratio and 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoding by Kino Lorber, is sourced from an older Universal Pictures master. This transfer boasts strong organic qualities, offering good delineation, clarity, and depth. Despite its age, the master produces generally attractive visuals, though some daylight panoramic shots show their dated nature due to an abundance of visual information. The grain structure maintains the celluloid feel and excellent image stability. However, a reddish hue affects flesh tones, adding an unfortunate orange tint. Color balance is convincing, with vibrant colors; the brown and green tones exhibit rich variances, enhancing the Technicolor cinematography of Irving Glassberg, though occasionally adding an artifice layer to the film's aesthetic.
Further analysis reveals lush black levels and realistic day-for-night scenes with commendable shadow delineation. While minor imperfections are present, such as speckling and a recurring red scratch early in the film, these do not significantly detract from the experience. The blu-ray's source material is in very good condition, free from major digital corrections or severe damage like large cuts or torn frames, ensuring a visually pleasing presentation overall. While recognizing the potential of superior definition due to the original large format shooting, this Blu-ray still represents one of the best renditions available, preserving the film's classic western allure while providing a texture that resonates well with its era's cinematic charm. Note that this is a Region-A locked release, requiring a compatible player for access.
Audio: 77
The Blu-ray release of "Backlash" features a single standard audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, complemented by optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Overall, the audio presentation is robust, delivering a clear, stable, and engaging listening experience. Dialogue is presented with clarity and ease, allowing seamless comprehension of the film's exchanges. Herman Stein's score is rendered with precision, maintaining an impressive dynamic range typical of 1950s cinema. The audio track effectively balances sonic elements, ensuring nuanced accents and atmospheric details enhance the viewing experience.
The DTS-HD Master Audio mono track stands out for its ability to deliver both power and subtlety. Key sound effects like gunshots and horse hooves are crisp and well-articulated, while ambient sounds such as running water contribute to the film's immersive atmosphere. The wide dynamic scale adeptly manages the highs and lows of Stein's dramatic score, preserving musical integrity without introducing distortion. Notably, the track is free from age-related audio artifacts like hiss, pops, or crackles, which enhances its overall quality. While some could argue for minor rebalancing improvements, the existing mix solidly supports the film’s audio needs, showcasing the era’s auditory strengths.
Extras: 26
The Blu-ray extras for "Backlash" impressively complement the film, offering a rich dive into its historical and cultural context. The highlight is the insightful audio commentary by critic Samm Deighan. She delivers an engaging analysis that portrays "Backlash" as an underrated psychological western, delving into its adaptation of traditional western themes to post-World War II American realities. Deighan expertly navigates through the Freudian and film noir elements, discusses the nuanced portrayal of women, and highlights the intricacies of the characters portrayed by Donna Reed and Richard Widmark. Her commentary also sheds light on director John Sturges' craftsmanship, explores censorship challenges, and reveals an original, discarded ending that promises to intrigue seasoned western fans. This track is essential listening, offering substantial depth and appreciation for fans of the genre.
Extras included in this disc:
- Trailer: A vintage trailer for "Backlash."
- Commentary: Exclusive new audio commentary by film critic Samm Deighan.
Movie: 61
"Backlash," directed by John Sturges, is captured on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber, offering a visually engaging cinematic experience with its well-preserved video in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 format and DTS-HD Master Audio mono soundtrack. The narrative follows Jim Slater, played by Richard Widmark, who embarks on a quest to unearth the truth behind his father’s demise amidst an enigmatic gold prospecting mission betrayed by one of its own. Unlike typical westerns, "Backlash" integrates complex themes and employs an intriguing, noir-infused plot indicative of post-World War II genre evolution. These layers add depth to the storyline but also expose certain directorial shortcomings, where some character arcs seem overshadowed or misaligned with the overarching drama.
The performances offer a mixed bag; Widmark’s role, though steeped in traditional toughness, resonates due to emotional depth seen in quiet, tender interactions, notably with Donna Reed's character, Karyl Orton. Reed stands out as a formidable female presence in a male-dominated cast, adding layers of feminism into the film’s dynamics. The supporting cast, including actors like John McIntire and William Campbell, injects energy whenever the narrative momentum flags, keeping viewers tethered to its winding yet occasionally sputtering plot.
Sturges favors character study over action sequences, prioritizing nuanced interaction within Arizona’s authentic and oppressively hot filming locations. The film embraces its widescreen format, leveraging it to expand its scope and imbue the movie with a grand scale, yet sometimes these strengths remain dulled in comparison to Sturges’ more celebrated works like "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral." Still, "Backlash" offers a satisfying examination of morality and human complexity through its layered storytelling, stakes accentuated by formidable thematic undercurrents with universal contemporary resonance.
Total: 58
"Backlash" enthralls with its unique fusion of western motifs and film noir intrigue, crafted masterfully through John Sturges' direction. While it won't likely be hailed among his top works, Sturges infuses the film with enough flair and fresh narrative elements to keep audiences engaged. The performances by Richard Widmark and Donna Reed stand out, their spirited portrayals add to the film's depth. Arizona’s landscape, captured in glorious Technicolor, accentuates the film's setting and serves as a rustic backdrop that enhances its thematic richness.
Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release elevates the "Backlash" viewing experience by effectively revitalizing a classic. The video transfer is robust, delivering vibrant visuals that do justice to the sweeping landscapes and intense action sequences characteristic of the genre. The audio quality remains strong, adding an aural dimension that complements the visual aspects smoothly. Enhanced by a solid commentary track, this release offers valuable insights into the film's underlying themes and production nuances.
In conclusion, while not one of Sturges' landmark films, "Backlash" is a notable entry in the western genre with its captivating story and respectable performances. The Kino Lorber Blu-ray presentation provides a technically sound and engaging viewing experience that should not be overlooked by western aficionados or cinema historians. While it may not soar to legendary status, it offers an enjoyable and thought-provoking exploration of classic western cinema. RECOMMENDED.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 70
However, even though it looks good now, Backlash can look much better because it was shot on a large format that can produce dramatically superior delineation, clarity, and depth....
Audio: 90
Perhaps some minor rebalancing work could be beneficial, but I do not think that the overall quality of audio will be improved....
Extras: 40
...
Movie: 70
Unfortunately, Sturges' direction leaves the impression that the leads and several secondary characters have been instructed to help one of the parts dominate and shape the identity of Backlash, which...
Total: 70
However, its opening credits name some very, very talented people that are associated with legendary films, so it is difficult not to speculate that it should have turned out a much bigger and more impressive...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
Some speckling dots the print from time to time and an annoying red scratch on the lower right of the frame pops up repeatedly early in the film, but overall, the source material is in very good condition....
Audio: 80
Sonic accents like gunshots and galloping horse hooves are crisp and distinct, while subtleties like the gentle flow of a desert stream supply essential notes of atmosphere....
Extras: 20
Deighan also discusses Donna Reed's screen persona, pays tribute to Widmark, examines the work of director John Sturges, denotes censorship issues, and divulges an original, more transgressive ending that...
Movie: 60
It's not often Widmark got the chance to play a romantic lead, and he makes the most of the opportunity, meshing well with Reed, who brings plenty of spitfire and steely will to her part....
Total: 60
A vibrant video transfer, strong audio, and a solid commentary track enhance Kino's Blu-ray presentation that breathes new life into this often overlooked outdoorsy drama that western fans will find well...
Director: John Sturges
Actors: Richard Widmark, Donna Reed, William Campbell
PlotJim Slater arrives in a desolate Arizona town to solve the mystery surrounding his father's death in a massacre. Five gold prospectors, including his father, were killed by Apaches, but gold they allegedly found was never recovered. Slater's quest for truth pits him against rival miners and sparks a connection with Sarah, a determined and enigmatic woman searching for her missing husband who disappeared under suspicious circumstances during the same attack. As two outsiders linked by personal loss, Jim and Sarah navigate through mounting tensions and suspicious townsfolk, confronting the skeletal remains of history left barely unearthed beneath the desert sands.
Their investigation reveals layers of deceit and treachery, suggesting that someone close to the tragedy profited from stolen gold. This dangerous trail exposes Jim to relentless bounty hunters and killers who want to keep the untold stories of the massacre buried forever. As danger looms from every angle, Jim must piece together incomprehensible truths while battling adversaries at gunpoint. All the while, he struggles internally with his own demons of hatred and vengeance. As alliances shift and hidden motives come to light, Jim is faced with pivotal decisions that may determine not only his fate but also the legacy of the men who perished in the desert massacre.
Writers: Frank Gruber, Borden Chase
Release Date: 11 Apr 1956
Runtime: 84 min
Rating: Approved
Country: United States
Language: English