Brannigan Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, and with a 1080p transfer, "Brannigan" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. This release appears to source from the same master used by Concorde Video, which we reviewed back in 2016. Notably, this new transfer shows some technical differences. Gamma levels are adjusted, resulting in a slightly brighter visual presentation on the Kino Lorber edition. While this enhances brightness, it has a slightly negative impact on dynamic range. Despite these differences, most modern players adjust for gamma automatically, which may mitigate these problems for many viewers. Additionally, the release presents marginally softer visuals that affect perceived depth; however, the difference is minor and likely unnoticeable to untrained eyes.

The color balance is satisfactory but could benefit from improved saturation levels. Highlights, especially in brightly lit scenes, could be better managed. The image is stable with no notable age-related imperfections, maintaining a consistent quality throughout the presentation. The film grain is discernible, contributing to an authentic 1970s feel, but the overall image quality remains somewhat soft, particularly in wide shots. Close-ups and middle shots reveal more detail and clarity. Black levels are consistent but lack the necessary depth to provide a truly dynamic contrast. The color palette adheres to the era's drab hues, dominated by olive greens and browns with even flesh tones that sometimes veer slightly pink.

Overall, while this transfer does not elevate "Brannigan" to a new level of visual brilliance, it is functional and watchable. It's neither the best nor the worst transfer available; it offers a competent but unremarkable viewing experience that retains the film’s original cinematic qualities without significantly enhancing them. Note that this is a Region-A locked release, requiring compatible Blu-ray players for access.

This Blu-ray release of "Brannigan" features a single audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature are integrated within the image frame when activated. The audio presentation remains robust, having likely been optimized and cleaned up during the mastering process, ensuring no encoding anomalies are present.

The upgraded DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix replaces the previous DTS-HD MA 1.0 track and introduces slight improvements. While essentially the same mono track is now channeled through stereo, users may notice enhancements in dialogue clarity, sound effects, and overall presence. These changes, though minimal, provide a more enriched audio experience with better spacing and improved dynamics across dialogue, scoring, and effects.

In summary, this version offers an enhanced auditory experience for "Brannigan", albeit marginally. Tech-savvy users will appreciate the refined clarity without expecting revolutionary changes.

The Blu-ray release of "Brannigan" presents a robust selection of extras, with a notable focus on the new commentary track by Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson. Their commentary is insightful, offering in-depth perspectives on John Wayne’s performance, the unique filming techniques for London's landscape, as well as the soundtrack's usage. Despite this, it is worth noting the omission of the commentary tracks that were included in the prior Twilight Time release, which some might miss. Additionally, the disc includes trailers for various titles from Kino Lorber's catalog, but it lacks an isolated score track or other bonus features from the previous releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A remastered trailer for "Brannigan" in English.
• Commentary: An audio commentary by director/producer Steve Mitchell and critic Nathaniel Thompson.
• Additional Trailers: Trailers for "Legend of the Lost," "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three," and "The Laughing Policeman."

Douglas Hickox's 1975 film "Brannigan," now available on Blu-ray via Kino Lorber, offers a compelling yet familiar detective narrative set against the backdrop of London. The film stars John Wayne as Jim Brannigan, a seasoned Chicago cop dispatched to England to extradite gangster Ben Larkin (John Vernon). Accompanied by local law enforcement Commander Swann (Richard Attenborough), Brannigan faces a series of complications that lead to unpredictable confrontations and strategic overhauls. Despite the tightly written script, Wayne’s character comes off more weary than resolute, contrasting sharply with Eastwood’s iconic performance in "Dirty Harry." While Wayne’s rugged persona adds depth to the film, his portrayal occasionally suffers from a dissonance between the intended tough demeanor and a palpable sense of fatigue.

The film is a mélange of memorable and less impressive elements. Dominic Frontiere’s striking soundtrack significantly enriches the film's ambiance and injects vigor into both action sequences and character interactions. However, some of the action scenes, such as an outlandish bar fight and convoluted car chase, border on the absurd. These moments introduce a comedic tone reminiscent of a Benny Hill sketch, undermining the film's intended grit. The cinematography by Gerry Fisher effectively captures London's period charm but is occasionally marred by inconsistent editing. Despite these technical stumbles, the film manages to preserve an authentic 1970s vibe, bolstered by panoramic shots that lend it a distinct aesthetic appeal.

"Brannigan" thrives mainly due to John Wayne's enduring screen presence, which compensates for several otherwise glaring narrative and technical deficiencies. Supported by an illustrious cast and evocative scoring, the film secures its place as an entertaining, albeit flawed, entry in the action genre of its time. Although the plot is riddled with contrivances and the narrative adheres closely to established tropes, Wayne’s commanding performance ensures that "Brannigan" retains a certain timeless entertainment value.

"Brannigan" on Blu-ray, presented by Kino Lorber, is an essential addition for John Wayne enthusiasts, even if it doesn’t rank among his finest work. The film, a late-period crime thriller, showcases Wayne’s enduring screen presence despite its pedestrian storyline. The Blu-ray features a video transfer identical to the earlier Twilight Time release, appealing to those who missed the previous version. The audio mix is slightly improved, which brings some enhancement to the overall viewing experience.

Highlighting this release is an exclusive audio commentary by director/producer Steve Mitchell and critic Nathaniel Thompson, adding significant value. Unfortunately, other bonus features from the Twilight Time release are missing, which might dissuade fans from repurchasing. Nonetheless, the quality of the master used for this transfer is solid, ensuring a good visual presentation that does justice to the film’s original cinematography.

Given the talent that was involved with Brannigan, the end result is quite underwhelming. It is the type of average crime thriller that seems most appropriate for late-night TV, not the serious project that you would want to see on the big screen. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from a healthy master and has a very nice exclusive audio commentary by director/producer Steve Mitchell and critic Nathaniel Thompson. Recommended but primarily to John Wayne fans.