Cat Ballou Blu-ray Review

"Cat Ballou" is presented on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1, offering a visually captivating experience. The transfer, sourced from the Sony-Columbia catalog, showcases lush colors with vivid hues, notably exemplified in the stunning location photography featuring gorgeous blues and greens. The picturesque scenery is captured with striking clarity, particularly in scenes set on Frankie's ranch. Detail is exemplary, with intricate textures on costumes and minute features on faces rendered crisply. However, flesh tones may appear slightly on the brown side at times. The picture boasts consistent black levels and contrast, ensuring that elements such as Strawn's dark ensemble are represented with inky blacks and excellent shadow delineation.

The transfer displays natural film grain, which generally maintains a pleasing aesthetic without digital artifacts. There are some isolated sequences where grain spikes unnaturally, such as the scene beginning with Kaye and Cole singing at sunset or when Cat is riding after a character is killed, and when Shaleen shoots up the town. Despite this, the overall image remains free from compression issues, delivering exceptional resolution and depth. The rich green fabric of the train curtains and the deep browns of wood testify to the transfer's ability to handle vibrant colors and textures proficiently. In essence, this Blu-ray presentation of "Cat Ballou" significantly benefits from meticulous technical execution, resulting in a highly commendable visual experience.

"Cat Ballou" presents a comprehensive auditory experience with its DTS-HD Master Audio mixes in both 5.1 and 2.0 formats. The 5.1 channel mix effectively enhances the appealing score and interstitial song elements with discrete placement of effects such as gunshots and galloping hooves, creating an immersive auditory environment. Though the surround track's low end is substantial, it may not meet the expectations of those accustomed to the heavier bass of contemporary audio mixes. Nevertheless, dialogue reproduction is consistently clear, with no prioritization issues. While audiophiles might find the 2.0 mix competent, it may not offer a transformative listening experience.

Notably, Frank De Vol's score shines in the 5.1 setup, enriching the surround channels and utilizing the speakers effectively to create a vivid sonic landscape. Distinct effects like the wind blowing through trees add to the ambiance, while unique imaging details—such as footsteps panning across channels—enhance the sense of space. However, some scenes, like the town dance sequence, suffer from excessive echo in clapping and foot stomping, slightly detracting from the overall clarity. The dynamic range is appreciable, and the bass remains active throughout, ensuring an engaging listening experience despite minor imperfections in audio balance and texture.

The Blu Ray extras of "Cat Ballou" present a robust array of supplementary content, providing a deep dive into the film’s history and context. Two engaging audio commentaries are included: one featuring actors Michael Callan and Dwayne Hickman, offering a nostalgic look back at the film, and another with film historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo, delivering a more analytical perspective. The isolated score track in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 allows fans to enjoy Frank De Vol’s evocative score in pristine quality. Moreover, "Lee and Pamela: A Romance" presents a touching documentary on Lee Marvin's relationship with his wife Pamela. Archival footage is also provided in "The Legend of Cat Ballou," though it suffers from video quality issues. The original theatrical trailer rounds out this comprehensive set, despite its quirky promotional choices.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentaries: Featuring Michael Callan and Dwayne Hickman; Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo.
• Isolated Score Track: De Vol's score in DTS-HD MA 2.0.
• Lee and Pamela: A Romance: Documentary featuring insights from Lee Marvin's second wife.
• The Legend of Cat Ballou: An archival featurette with director Elliot Silverstein.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: A unique look at the promotional efforts for the film.

"Cat Ballou," directed by Elliot Silverstein and adapted from Roy Chanslor's novel "The Ballad of Cat Ballou," brings a whimsical, comedic twist to the Western genre. Jane Fonda delivers an engaging performance as Catherine Ballou, a prim schoolteacher who devolves into an outlaw when her father’s homestead is threatened by the nefarious Wolf City Development Corporation. Lee Marvin’s dual role as the drunkard sharpshooter Kid Shelleen and his villainous counterpart Tim Strawn earned him an Oscar, enhancing the film's flair with his exaggerated and delightful acting. His portrayal of Shelleen, from bumbling inebriate to crack shot, lends the film an elevated slapstick dynamism that remains its heart.

The film’s narrative employs a foreshadowing technique through the balladeers, The Sunrise Kid (Nat King Cole) and Professor Sam the Shade (Stubby Kaye), who set a meta tone by revealing plot points through song. These musical interludes contribute an innovative framing device that was ahead of its time, prefiguring elements found in later genre-bending films like "Blazing Saddles" or "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Despite some politically insensitive gags reflective of its 1965 context, such sights were intended as humor rather than malice.

"Cat Ballou" splendidly balances its comedy with occasional moments of darker, unpredictable narrative developments that retain engagement. While elements like Clay Boone's aggressiveness towards Cat and the casting of Tom Nardini as Native American Jackson Two-Bears may raise eyebrows today, they are more reflective of the era than of the film’s intent. The movie stands out not only for its infectiously spirited performances but for its unique blend of farce and genuine storytelling—an aspect keenly preserved in Twilight Time's meticulously packaged Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "Cat Ballou" expertly captures the film's unique blend of comedic antics and Western charm. Displaying Twilight Time’s signature high standards, the disc offers a visually stunning and crisp presentation that highlights both the lush location photography and the beautifully designed studio segments. The sight gags in the film are particularly inspired, with Lee Marvin’s hyperbolic performance contrasting effectively against the relatively restrained portrayals by Jane Fonda and the supporting cast. While the verbal humor can be hit or miss, the visual comedy consistently delivers laughs.

In terms of audio, the Blu-ray maintains high fidelity, though viewers may find the variable audio levels in the historical narration track distracting. The disc is supplemented with two engaging audio commentaries – one by actors Callan and Hickman and another by film historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo. Additionally, there’s an insightful featurette in which director Elliot Silverstein discusses the making of the film. One of the standout extras is "Lee and Pamela: a Romance," a touching documentary that provides a deeper, more personal look into Lee Marvin’s life through his widow’s perspective.

While "Cat Ballou" may not be regarded as a top-tier western by all critics—questioning even Lee Marvin's Oscar-winning performance—this Blu-ray release is nonetheless a commendable high-definition presentation enriched with captivating special features. It delivers a thoroughly entertaining Hollywood experience, backed by an impressive technical execution and substantial supplementary content.

Cat Ballou is frequently laugh-out-loud hilarious and it benefits from both Marvin's exaggerated performance as well as Fonda’s subtler approach. This release boasts great technical merits and a highly engaging supplemental package. Highly recommended.