The Searchers / Stagecoach

Rating:
Summary: Get Em In The 3 Pack...Same Price!..Includes "The Cowboys"
Review: John Wayne Fans...WHOA!...These two classic and definitive works of The Duke ia also available as a three pack, that includes another great one of his..."The Cowboys". And guess what..the three pack is about the same price(even a little less at this time) as this one! They are both released by Warner Bros, and there is even a third set out(by Warner), that, for a few dollars more...(Hey..that sounds like a good title for an Eastwood film!), includes a fourth film.."Rio Bravo". I couldn't say for sure if these DVDs are a newer release (often the date of release shown is for the collection and not the individual DVDs), but here is a little about the two that are in this set and the DVD qualitites and features(as they are in the 3-pack). For more info on "The Cowboys", please see my review of the John Wayne Collection. ASIN: B00004XMRX.

The films of course are 5 stars in my book! First up is "Stagecoach" from 1939. Wayne is a wanted man who is along for the ride with a group of passengers, each not only battling their own demons and prejudices, but the elements of the rugged terrain and Indian attacks as well. And what a group...it also stars Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell, and Donald Meek. This one is directed by the great John Ford and the black and white cinemaptogrpahy of this journey is absolutley stunning. The DVD transfer of this 65 year old film is not as pristeen as some other B/W classic of the era, but certainly looks good. a few scratches here and there, a little flickering, but once you are involved with this film, you won't even notice. The Dolby Dig sound is very good, all the sounds of the old west clear and distinct. The DVD includes some production notes, seven trailers, and has subtitles in English, French and Spanish.

"The Searchers" from 1956 is up next. Do they come any better than this? The Duke is a war weary ex-confederate who becomes obsessed with hunting down the Comanche tribe who has massacred his family and kidnapped his young niece. We follow him for years as he will not let go of his mission or his beliefs. Wayne is amazing in this role as we see his hatred turn into humanity. This one is also from Director John Ford, and may just be his masterpiece. It is filmed in technicolor, and the stunning scenery may be viewed in the original widescreen, but also has the option of a standard version. It also stars Hollywood greats Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond and Natalie Wood. I thought the transfer was pretty nice. The picture was clean and clear with very good sound. There are a couple of documentary shorts included, made at the time of the shoot, one has a brief interview with Natalie Wood(glowing from her recent Oscar nomination for "Rebel Without A Cause"). It may be viewed in or with subtitles in English, French and Spanish, and it also contains some production notes.

They each come in their own snap case and have an outer sleeve for the set(of 3). I know that sometimes prices change, so if you are reading this at a much later date, please check the prices. But for right now, the better deal is definately the three pack(or even the four pack).

Saddle Up With The Duke and Happy Trails....Laurie