Coogan's Bluff Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Coogan's Bluff" by Kino Lorber maintains the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and utilizes a 1080p transfer sourced from the same master as Universal's earlier editions. The master, while not new, exhibits a strong organic quality, thanks to its photochemical origins with Bud Thackery's 35mm cinematography using Arriflex cameras and spherical lenses. The resulting image is marked by good contrast and detail levels. While the grain is not as refined as contemporary transfers, it remains healthy and unobtrusive. Despite being an older master, there are no signs of digital over-processing — a frequent issue with such releases.

The color-grading of this master is particularly effective, delivering strong primary colors and a range of nuanced hues that enhance the filmic experience. This is reflected in the diverse visuals from the open landscapes of Arizona to the varied urban settings of New York City. Flesh tones are rendered naturally, and blacks offer notable depth, though some minor fluctuations in density and fluidity can be observed. Image stability is generally commendable, despite occasional instances of mild flicker, lines, scratches, and specks, which minimally detract from the viewing experience.

For those familiar with previous releases, this Kino Lorber edition mirrors the image quality one can expect from prior Universal Blu-rays, such as the Clint Eastwood 7-Film Collection. While an upgrade in image quality might have been anticipated, the 1080p transfer remains faithful to its predecessors with bold colors and robust skin tones. Although there are minor blemishes consistent with the source material's condition, they are largely non-intrusive. This Blu-ray release lacks a new restoration or scan but offers a reliable and high-quality viewing consistent with the film’s existing home media history.

The Blu-Ray release of "Coogan's Bluff" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, reflecting a solid audio presentation unique to its original context. The overall clarity and dynamic range are commendable, with Lalo Schifrin's score offering audible contrasts in a robust manner. While the dialogue is predominantly clear, there are moments, particularly during scenes with loud noise and overdubbing, where clarity is potentially excessive, revealing the limitations of the original audio mix. Despite these minor instances, the existing mix is robust and effective, balancing sound effects, dialogue, and musical score seamlessly.

The mono audio source, housed within a single channel, exhibits exceptional clarity with a notably wider spacing than is typical for similar formats. This allows sound effects and the musical score to retain their intended impact, contributing significantly to the film's atmosphere. There are instances of minor dropouts throughout the track, though they remain largely imperceptible to most listeners due to their brevity and distribution. Vocals are clear, even when actors deliver lines through mumbles, ensuring that dialogue maintains prominence.

Overall, this DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio mix retains its historical integrity while offering a clean and fitting experience for viewers of "Coogan's Bluff." Although there is room for slight improvement in terms of fullness and detail absorption, the current presentation sufficiently supports the film's narrative and ambiance, allowing for an immersive viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Coogan's Bluff" provide a rich and immersive experience, offering both retrospective interviews and insightful commentaries. Noteworthy is the engaging audio commentary by filmmaker Alex Cox, who provides valuable insights despite occasional pauses. Complementing this is writer Alan Spencer's humorous yet informative commentary, enhancing viewers' understanding of the film’s production and character arcs. The interview with Don Stroud delivers personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, adding depth to the film’s history. Additionally, the vintage "At Home with Clint" interview offers a rare look into Eastwood's life around the film’s release. The extras also include a comprehensive image and poster gallery with 78 stills, plus the original trailers and a radio spot, housed thoughtfully in packaging featuring original poster art.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with filmmaker Alex Cox: Insightful observation on the film’s creation.
• Audio Commentary by writer Alan Spencer: Humorous anecdotes on production.
• The Killer is Loose: Interview with Don Stroud: Insights on Stroud’s role and experiences.
• At Home with Clint Eastwood: Vintage Clint Eastwood interview.
• Image and Poster Gallery: Extensive collection of promotional materials.
• Theatrical Trailer
• Teaser Trailer
• Radio Spot

Don Siegel's Coogan’s Bluff (1968) emerges on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber, spotlighting Clint Eastwood’s early career in a pivotal proto-Dirty Harry role. The film presents Arizona Deputy Sheriff Coogan navigating the New York City maze to retrieve the criminal James Ringerman, but soon becomes entangled in complex urban challenges and unexpected romantic interest. While the film captures the raw grit of crime storytelling, its narrative struggles with inconsistent pacing and scenes that either hit or miss the mark in contributing to genre excellence.

Coogan’s Bluff coincided with Eastwood’s transition from spaghetti Western fame to mainstream Hollywood appeal, crafting an intriguing albeit uneven storyline. Attempting to disrupt conventional cop tropes, the film sees Coogan often floundering against elusive adversaries, deviating from the usual all-knowing protagonist mold. Despite its wry humor, some elements, notably pervasive sexism, fail the test of time, adding discomfort without substance. As Coogan stumbles through cramped New York streets, some fish-out-of-water scenes land effectively, while others linger without purpose, failing to propel the film forward at a crucial pace.

The performances enliven the tale to some extent. Eastwood begins carving out his iconic screen persona with detectable charm, whereas Lee J. Cobb offers a dependable yet predictable portrayal of law enforcement stalemates. Susan Clark attempts to inject fortitude into her character but is constrained by dated stereotypes. Despite criticism, the movie's climactic final act injects tension and action with a thrilling motorcycle chase that recaptures fleeting viewer engagement. Ultimately, while Coogan’s Bluff falters when juxtaposed with later successes from Eastwood and Siegel’s partnership, it remains a notable yet flawed step in their collaborative evolution.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Coogan's Bluff" demonstrates that even Clint Eastwood's so-called 'smaller' films pack substantial entertainment value. While the film may not reach the iconic stature of Eastwood's later works, it is foundational in showcasing the actor's future potential and his burgeoning dynamic with director Don Siegel. The Blu-ray edition benefits from an organic master sourced from Universal Pictures, ensuring a decent visual presentation of this late '60s action hit. It also includes a valuable new video interview with Don Stroud, enhancing its appeal to fans and collectors alike.

"Coogan’s Bluff" represents a pivotal moment in Eastwood’s career, marking his transition into a box office mainstay. Although the film features some rough editing and pacing issues, it captures enough charm in the final act to leave audiences satisfied. The Blu-ray offers not only an adequate audio-visual performance but also an enriched extras package that complements the viewing experience. For those who appreciate early Eastwood works, this release is highly recommended, though it may not warrant an upgrade for those with previous editions.

In conclusion, despite its imperfections, "Coogan’s Bluff" offers an entertaining glimpse into Eastwood's cinematic evolution and his collaboration with Don Siegel. With its solid A/V presentation and engaging bonus content, this Kino Lorber release is an essential addition for film enthusiasts without prior ownership. If you're new to this title, it's certainly worth exploring for its historical significance and nostalgic value in Eastwood's filmography.