Django may not be a favorite of spaghetti western in my book but it’s still well done with a good performance from lead actor Franco Nero and features some good fight and action sequences.
Django
(1966)
Genre(s): Western
Arrow Films | NR – 92 min. – $49.95 | May 25, 2021
Date Published: 05/22/2021 | Author: The Movieman
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Arrow Films provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
Note: This review is for Django only. I consider Texas, Adios to be a bonus film.
THE MOVIE — 3¾/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Django (FRANCO NERO) is a mysterious loner who arrives at a mud-drenched ghost town on the Mexico-US border, ominously dragging a coffin behind him. After saving imperiled prostitute Maria (LOREDANA NUSCIAK), Django becomes embroiled in a brutal feud between a racist gang and a band of Mexico revolutionaries… Quick Hit Review: Django is the latest Spaghetti Western that I’ve watched in the past month, the previous being The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. This one wasn’t quite as good in my eyes in comparison but still a solid film, as someone who’s not big into the genre. Franco Nero is great in the lead as Django (a character I’m familiar with thanks to having previously seen Django Prepare a Coffin) and the atmosphere from director Sergio Corbucci was fantastic, down to the grimy, gritty town that Django comes to, frankly makes me thankful not to have lived in the 19th century. The reason I put this below The Man with No Name Trilogy isn’t with the technical aspects but it didn’t quite engage me, though some of the action and fights were well show, including the most notable sequence, as Django mows down a gang with a machine gun, something he was holding in the coffin; will give them some credit for showing this dang near halfway through instead of at the end. I did enjoyed the female lead with Loredana Nusciak who shares some nice scenes with Nero. Jose Bodalo as the Mexican revolutionary leader was fun and Eduardo Fajardo is Django’s primary adversary doesn’t get enough due for his character but does have the classic look of a villainous bastard. All in all, Django is a great introduction to the character, one which Nero would reprise 21 years later with Django Strikes Again. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 5/5 |
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This two-disc set is housed in a thick slip case, also inside is a foldout, double-sided poster and very nice booklet, the type usually included with these Limited Editions. The HD keep case inside has a reversible sleeve. DISC 1 (DJANGO/4K UHD): Interviews:
The selection of interviews here is amazing, I was especially engrossed with Franco Nero, who looks pretty good all these years later, and each of these, a couple older interviews, offer their memories of working on the film. And these aren’t just some short segments, totaling nearly two hours. Discovering Django (23:33) is a newly filmed appreciation by spaghetti westerns scholar Austin Fisher. An Introduction to Django by Alex Cox (12:04) is an archival featurette with the acclaimed director and spaghetti western enthusiast. Last on this disc is the Italian Trailer and International Trailer. DISC 2 (TEXAS, ADIOS/BLU-RAY): Interviews:
Hello Texas (16:24) is a newly filmed appreciation by spaghetti westerns scholar Austin Fisher. And last up is the Original Trailer (2:42) and several Image Galleries (Stills, Posters, Lobby Cards, Press and Home Video). |
VIDEO – 5/5 |
| Django debuts on 4K Ultra HD presented in its original theatrical 1.66 widescreen aspect ratio and has been given a new 2160p high-definition transfer. Per the booklet, the picture was taken from a 4K resolution scan from the original 35mm camera negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, picture instability and other instances of film wear was repaired or removed. After this, the film was graded in 4K HDR/Dolby Vision and SDR.
The picture looks outstanding. As a movie that was released nearly 60 years ago, it is mightily impressive. Detail is incredibly sharp and very well defined throughout; colors are vibrant without appearing artificially enhanced and in keeping with that time period and setting. The original grain and noise is still present which I always love seeing. |
AUDIO – 5/5 |
| The disc comes with an Italian and English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono tracks, the latter being the default option, though I watched mostly with the Italian audio as the English dubbing was a tad distracting, but not all that terrible. Dialogue comes across with good clarity and the action elements, like the gunfire, also sounds great. |
OVERALL – 4½/5 |
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Django may not be a favorite of spaghetti western in my book but it’s still well done with a good performance from lead actor Franco Nero and features some good fight and action sequences. This 4K Ultra HD release from Arrow Films has excellent video and audio transfers alongside a good selection of bonus material. |