Jubal Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of Delmer Daves' "Jubal," utilizing a 1080p transfer encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, maintains the film's original 2.55:1 aspect ratio. This high-definition release is sourced from a meticulous 4K digital restoration conducted by Sony using a Northlight scanner and subsequently processed in 2K. Supervision by Grover Crisp and color grading by Scott Ostrowsky assure a dedicated and professional restoration effort. The quality of outdoor sequences is particularly notable, offering impressive depth, clarity, and stable contrast. Viewers will appreciate the finely detailed depictions of Wyoming landscapes, crisp mountain peaks, and true black levels with excellent shadow delineation.

While the overall presentation is commendable, there are some minor age-related imperfections. Indoor scenes occasionally lack the sharpness and vibrancy of the exterior shots, with noticeable fluctuations in contrast and sporadic color instability. Some frames exhibit light banding and basic frame instability, though these do not significantly detract from the viewing experience. The color palette exhibits both bright primaries and occasional dips, resulting in flesh tones that can appear faded with a yellow tinge. Despite these issues, the absence of severe degraining, edge-enhancement, or notable compression anomalies ensures the film retains its authentic cinematic quality.

In summary, Criterion's transfer of "Jubal" offers a visually compelling experience with its attention to detail in restoration, ensuring an essentially clean and engaging presentation of this classic film. Minor flaws do little to overshadow the appreciable work done, making it a reliable and recommendable addition for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Jubal" stands out through its uncompressed LPCM 2.0 stereo track. With Criterion providing optional English SDH subtitles that fittingly appear within the image frame, this release prioritizes clarity and accessibility. The lossless audio track impresses with its depth and a remarkable range of nuanced dynamics. The standout feature is David Raksin's intense orchestral score, which beautifully enhances the dramatic atmosphere, spreading across channels with exceptional fidelity and adding substantial weight through low bass. The mid-range is particularly commendable, exhibiting superb clarity and detail across each instrument, which sustains even during action sequences.

Dialogue in "Jubal" is consistently well-rounded, stable, clean, and easy to follow, free from annoying high-frequency distortions or audio dropouts. A few ambient effects subtly bleed into the additional channels, appreciably broadening the soundfield and creating a more immersive experience. Overall, this intricate PCM stereo soundtrack delivers a broad and welcoming audio experience with splendid warmth and a great sense of presence, making it an outstanding high-resolution track for this beloved yet lesser-known western.

The Blu-ray release of "Jubal" offers a mixed bag in its extras, bolstering the presentation with some engaging and well-crafted features. Most noteworthy is the illustrated booklet, amplified by an insightful essay from esteemed film critic Kent Jones, which provides valuable context and analysis of the film. While it's unfortunate that the disc itself lacks any additional video supplements or featurettes that dive deeper into the production or broader themes of the film, the existing components are executed with a high level of professionalism and care.

Extras included in this disc:

Booklet: An illustrated booklet featuring an essay by film critic Kent Jones.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Delmer Daves' "Jubal" captures the essence of classic Western cinema with a Shakespearian twist. Set against Wyoming’s majestic Teton Range, this 1956 film, based on Paul Wellman’s 1939 novel, explores deep human emotions amidst a rugged backdrop. Rancher Shep Horgan (Ernest Borgnine) rescues drifter Jubal Troop (Glenn Ford), offering him a job and hospitality. The dynamic between characters intensifies as Shep promotes Jubal to foreman, antagonizing the existing cowhand, Pinky (Rod Steiger), and inciting the obsessive affections of Shep's wife, May (Valerie French). These interactions unfold, revealing complex human dilemmas of loyalty, jealousy, and desire.

"Jubal," similar to Daves’ "3:10 to Yuma," is more than a Western; it is an intense character study. Relationships take center stage over action sequences, with Ford’s enigmatic Jubal at the heart of it all. His understated performance, counterbalanced by Borgnine’s hearty rancher and Steiger’s menacing Pinky, drives the narrative forward. The film’s dramatic tension rises as May's relentless advances and Pinky's growing resentment toward Jubal threaten to disrupt the fragile balance at Shep’s ranch. Charles Lawton Jr.’s Cinemascope and Technicolor lensing enriches this tension, using low-angle shots and shadow play reminiscent of 1950s noir classics.

Daves meticulously crafts a narrative that reflects the turmoil of the human heart, placing it within the vast, lawless expanses of the American frontier. The film’s visual and emotional landscapes are harmoniously linked by its deliberate pacing and stunning cinematography. "Jubal" shines as an overlooked gem within the Western genre, offering poignant commentary on human nature amidst societal norms. This Criterion release preserves the film’s original beauty and intensity, providing a fitting tribute to Daves' cinematic prowess.

Delmer Daves's "Jubal" emerges as an underrated gem in the Western genre, brilliantly turning well-worn themes inward to deeply explore the human condition amidst the untamed frontier. The film, a compelling adaptation of Paul Wellman's novel and a unique reworking of Shakespeare's Othello, captivates with its themes of loyalty and betrayal, manifesting the perilous passions that parallel the raw wilderness.

Criterion Collection’s Blu-ray release of "Jubal" offers a noteworthy audiovisual experience. The video presentation retains a strong, clear quality that does justice to Charles Lawton Jr.'s cinematography, capturing the stark beauty of the western landscape with impressive detail. However, where it truly shines is in its audio fidelity, offering a robust soundtrack that underscores David Raksin's evocative score and the film’s dramatic dialogues. It’s worth noting, though, that the supplemental features are limited, which might be a minor letdown for enthusiasts seeking deeper insights and behind-the-scenes content.

While not as atmospheric as "3:10 to Yuma," "Jubal" remains thoroughly entertaining, bolstered by an outstanding cast. Rod Steiger's portrayal of the malevolent cowhand Pinky Pinkum stands out as particularly impressive. It is gratifying to see such western classics being included in the Criterion Collection, and there is hope that Delmer Daves' other works, such as "Cowboy" with Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon, will also transition to Blu-ray soon. The inclusion of "Jubal" in this prestigious collection is indeed a commendable move—HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.