Hondo
22 June 2012 01:20 PM
I was surprised today when FedEx dropped off a review copy of John Wayne’s Hondo blu-ray. The Western genre is one that is not well represented in my library, so I will watch it with interest.
Hondo is a missed opportunity, being the only 3D John Wayne movie released during the Golden Age of 3D. Unfortunately, Paramount chose to release this in 2D, when a digital 3D restoration was already done a few years ago. I had already chosen to boycott the purchase of this title since it was not released in 3D. At least, I did not have to buy it.
Later…
I watched Hondo on the smaller HDTV with the lesser sound system. It’s the story of a half-breed calvary scout, Hondo Lane (John Wayne) who comes into the lives of a rancher, Angie Lowe, played by Geraldine Page, and her son Johnny. It is a time of unrest with the warring Apache tribes, who have ignored treaties and have been killing settlers. They try to make the story something beyond the White Man Good, Indians Bad stereotype by making the Indian leader a blood brother to the young boy, and by his offering male Indian companionship while Hondo and the woman’s husband are away.
I did not care much for the story. I was distracted by my iPad a lot. There was a long battle between the Indians and what was left of the settlers and calvary towards the end. It must have been something to see in 3D.
And it was very apparent that Hondo was supposed to be in 3D, with knives, spears, and guns projecting outwards. With the 3D restoration already having been done on Hondo, I can’t understand why Paramount did not make this the first of the Golden Era 3D movies to be released on blu-ray. Instead, Warner will have that honor with the upcoming 3D release of Dial M for Murder.
Picture quality was variable. Framed at 1.85x1 (or close to it) the picture had numerous shots that were soft and grainy, like duplicate stock was used. Other times, the film was clear as day and night.
Sound quality was fine. I listened to the default soundtrack through my SurroundBar.
Supplements include an introduction by Leonard Maltin, a commentary, a making-of documentary, a tour of the Wayne vault (from an 90’s episode of Entertainment Tonight), a trailer, and more.
The price is right on Amazon if you collect John Wayne movies. But I would personally hold out for the 3D version.
Hondo is a missed opportunity, being the only 3D John Wayne movie released during the Golden Age of 3D. Unfortunately, Paramount chose to release this in 2D, when a digital 3D restoration was already done a few years ago. I had already chosen to boycott the purchase of this title since it was not released in 3D. At least, I did not have to buy it.
Later…
I watched Hondo on the smaller HDTV with the lesser sound system. It’s the story of a half-breed calvary scout, Hondo Lane (John Wayne) who comes into the lives of a rancher, Angie Lowe, played by Geraldine Page, and her son Johnny. It is a time of unrest with the warring Apache tribes, who have ignored treaties and have been killing settlers. They try to make the story something beyond the White Man Good, Indians Bad stereotype by making the Indian leader a blood brother to the young boy, and by his offering male Indian companionship while Hondo and the woman’s husband are away.
I did not care much for the story. I was distracted by my iPad a lot. There was a long battle between the Indians and what was left of the settlers and calvary towards the end. It must have been something to see in 3D.
And it was very apparent that Hondo was supposed to be in 3D, with knives, spears, and guns projecting outwards. With the 3D restoration already having been done on Hondo, I can’t understand why Paramount did not make this the first of the Golden Era 3D movies to be released on blu-ray. Instead, Warner will have that honor with the upcoming 3D release of Dial M for Murder.
Picture quality was variable. Framed at 1.85x1 (or close to it) the picture had numerous shots that were soft and grainy, like duplicate stock was used. Other times, the film was clear as day and night.
Sound quality was fine. I listened to the default soundtrack through my SurroundBar.
Supplements include an introduction by Leonard Maltin, a commentary, a making-of documentary, a tour of the Wayne vault (from an 90’s episode of Entertainment Tonight), a trailer, and more.
The price is right on Amazon if you collect John Wayne movies. But I would personally hold out for the 3D version.