The Stalking Moon Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive Collection has delivered yet another superior visual presentation with the Blu-ray release of "The Stalking Moon." Utilizing a fresh 2K scan of the interpositive, the image benefits significantly from meticulous manual cleanup, resulting in a remarkably pure and film-like aesthetic. The Panavision cinematography by Charles Lang is captured beautifully in 1080p using the AVC codec, faithfully rendering the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The result is a film that looks marvelous from start to finish, showcasing fine textures and detail without any visible banding or compression artifacts, thanks to the dual-layered Blu-ray format ensuring ample breathing room for the video data.

The cinematography shines through with earth tones that are well-balanced and vibrant, avoiding any muddiness. The visuals effectively contrast warm tans with elements like weathered wood, lush green forests, and rugged rocky canyons shot in Nevada's Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park. Indoor scenes built in Hollywood's Samuel Goldwyn Studios maintain this high visual standard. Shadow detail is impressive with commendable black levels, ensuring that even darker scenes retain clarity without losing depth. Overall, the video presentation offers a clean, sharp, and inviting viewing experience that stands as a testament to Warner Archive Collection's dedication to high-quality restorations.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track for "The Stalking Moon" offers a faithful reproduction of its period sound design, capturing the mood and atmosphere of its Western setting capably. Dialogue is crisp and clearly prioritized within the mix, ensuring that both sparse exchanges and tense moments are easily discernible. Background audio elements, including environmental sounds like distant horses, crickets, and weather effects, contribute to the immersive feel, without overwhelming the central auditory experience. The film generally doesn't demand intense sonic activity, but the mix handles the limited demands efficiently.

Notably, Fred Karlin's original score stands out in this audio presentation, seamlessly integrated to complement the narrative's emotional arcs and escalating tension. Although the mono track lacks the dynamic range and spatiality of modern multi-channel mixes, it suits the material perfectly, preserving the period authenticity of the film. The overall audio quality remains clean throughout, with no age-related hiss, crackle, or pops detracting from the experience. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included but suffer from poor formatting in ALL CAPS, a disappointing but increasingly common issue in Warner Archive Collection Blu-rays.

This Blu-ray release of "The Stalking Moon" offers a commendable selection of extras that enhance the viewing experience. The standout item is the theatrical trailer, a vintage promotional piece capturing the film's suspenseful atmosphere, presented in 1.85:1 ratio, albeit in rough but watchable condition. Fans of promotional materials will appreciate its inclusion, despite the less-than-pristine quality. The package is encased in an attractive keepcase with poster-themed cover art, adding a touch of nostalgia and thematic relevance to the presentation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Captures the film's slow-building but suspenseful atmosphere and is cropped to 1.85:1.

"The Stalking Moon," directed by Robert Mulligan, soulfully inhabits the declining Western genre of its era by adding a suspenseful twist. This 1968 film stands out from conventional Westerns by intertwining elements of psychological thriller and relentless cat-and-mouse pursuit. The plot is straightforward: retired Army scout Sam Varner (Gregory Peck) agrees to escort Sarah Carver (Eva Marie Saint) and her half-breed son (Noland Clay) to safety, unaware that they are being hunted by the child's father, Salvaje (Nathaniel Narcisco), a malevolent Native American warrior. Peck's stoic performance anchors the film, harmonizing with the barren yet haunting Western landscape that Mulligan painstakingly captures.

Despite compelling source material and a haunting premise, "The Stalking Moon" flirts with tedium due to its meandering pace. The screenplay by Alvin Sargent takes excessive time to build tension, overshadowing the potential for genuine terror. For most of the film, Salvaje is a spectral menace, striking fear invisibly and sparingly. This elusive depiction sets the film apart, but challenges audience patience with its slow-burning build-up. The climactic showdown finally delivers a rush of adrenaline, yet the preceding uneven pacing somewhat dulls its impact. A tighter narrative focus could have maintained suspense without sacrificing dynamism.

The performances add weight but also reflect some missed opportunities. Gregory Peck's portrayal of virtue and forthrightness is unwaveringly strong, although the character's lack of proactive defenses against Salvaje questions his tactical acumen. Conversely, Eva Marie Saint's subdued portrayal of Sarah often feels emotionally detached, failing to amplify the film's tension. Robert Forster, in an early role, exudes charisma and loyalty as Nick, the half-Native American friend, whereas Nathaniel Narcisco effectively terrifies with mere presence. While "The Stalking Moon" ultimately delivers a final captivating confrontation, it lets potential frights dissipate, echoing the solitude of its vast Western expanse.

Robert Mulligan's "The Stalking Moon" is a Western suspense film that presents a mixed cinematic experience, but undeniably shines in its latter half. Featuring Gregory Peck in the lead with a commanding presence, the film employs an unorthodox narrative structure where silence often prevails. While this approach can add a unique flavor to the genre, it also leads to a languid pace that may test the patience of some viewers. The storyline unfolds sluggishly, with the initial half risking disengagement due to its slow and insufficiently developed narrative elements.

However, the film makes a striking turnaround in its final act, building an impressive amount of tension culminating in an explosive climax that is worth enduring the earlier pacing drawbacks. This gripping conclusion elevates the film beyond a typical cat-and-mouse thriller, offering moments of heightened suspense and payoff that reward the viewer's perseverance. The supporting cast complements Peck's performance adequately, although their roles are notably subdued.

Warner Archive Collection's Blu-ray release of "The Stalking Moon" brings technical excellence that will delight film purists and fans alike. The 1080p transfer significantly surpasses the quality of the 2008 DVD, providing a visually appealing presentation. Another high point is the pristine sound quality, ensuring an immersive audio-visual experience. While the Blu-ray extras are limited, the overall package remains a worthy acquisition for followers of classic Westerns and aficionados of the cast.

Though it severely drags during its first half, Robert Mulligan's "The Stalking Moon" builds a formidable amount of tension in the home stretch with an explosive climax that proves to be worth the wait. Gregory Peck leads with a very strong presence, while most everyone else seems content with letting silence do the talking. It's an unorthodox but largely enjoyable formula, elevating this otherwise standard cat-and-mouse thriller to slightly greater heights. As usual, Warner Archive Collection's Blu-ray will please die-hard fans and purists alike, offering a handsome 1080p transfer that easily outpaces the 2008 DVD. Extras are slim, but this one's still recommended to fans of the cast and genre.