Once Upon A Time In The West (Blu-ray)

Serigo Leone epic picture Once upon a Time in the West is presented in a new meticulously restored version for its Blu-ray release which looks and sounds stunning along with the restored version which is now a unrated cut the disc also has the Theatrical version as well which is still rated PG-13 along with similar special features that the region 2 double DVD released in 1999 that version of the film running time was 159 minutes this time the restored version has a running time of 166 minutes which is closer to the Italian version which had a running time of 175 minutes.

This disc is region-free the signal type is MPEG4 in full 1080p resolution which shows the features beautiful range colours and the now the greater range of blacks the actors sun-baked skin now look even more stubbly and sweaty the sound which is now up-graded to 5.1 DTS Master Audio this jumps out of the speakers, the first gun fight at the railway station which has very little dialogue is now even more impressive as the sound effects sound like they have been on steroids the gunfire now rattles across your living room the dripping water and squeaking water wheel create the atmosphere as never before bringing the viewer even closer to the action.
This Blu-ray also has Dolby mono in English as well as dubbed French and Spanish there are subs in English for the hard of hearing, subtitles in French Spanish and Portuguese with commentary contributions from Directors John Carpenter John Milius and Alex Cox and Film Historians Sir Christopher Frayling and Dr Sheldon Hall as well as cast and crew.

The Special features include An Opera of Violence The Wages of Sin Something to do with Death Rail-road Revolutionising the West Locations now and then Production gallery and the Theatrical trailer in HD.

If you love Westerns this for me is the yardstick to measure by along with the Wild Bunch from Sam Peckinpah from the year after.

Sergio Leone has finely crafted a masterpiece that is made even better with Ennio Morricones score. Although I do prefer The Good, the bad and the ugly the difference is only a fraction. If you havn't seen this film watch it now.

I have the american release and can say it is outstanding, the colours are vibrant, the sound may not knock your socks off but is heads above the DVD version, if the specs are the same this will have the same extra's as the two disc version, the blu ray has two different cuts, the restored and the theatrical, can not really say that I noticed much difference/extra.
I will not go into the movie as those looking at this title will have seen it countless times.
The big question is it worth updating from DVD, YES without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best this movie has looked. buy sit back and enjoy.

this movie is ok , i usually love leones movies but this is pretty boring and i actually like slow moving movies , but this just drags on ,

Sergio Leone is one of the directors which I class as an artist first and filmmaker second. His movies are filled with truly masterful shots, every inch of the frame is utilised from foreground to back. No space is ever wasted.

He has his audience in the palm of his hand, you are gripped with what appears to be very little until you stop to appreciate the artistry on display.

I personally rank "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" as his best movie but this is his directorial pinnacle. This is his Mona Lisa. The opening credit sequence ranks as one of the greatest ever committed to celluloid and the film never stops providing you with some of the best, most sumptuous tracking shots you will ever see. Tonino Delli Colli's cinematography deserves 10 Oscars.

Leone has always enjoyed juxtaposing extreme close-ups with gorgeous long shots and he utilises this preference to incredible effect. The soundtrack is crisp and clean. Ennio Morricone's score is one of his best also, everyone involved is on top form and the end result is nothing short of staggering.

Arguably the greatest western ever made. 5/5.

Paramount have granted this fim with an MPEG-4 AVC encoded, 2.35:1 framed, 1080p transfer onto a 50GB Blu-ray disc of exquisite quality. Yeeee hawwww!!

With a film this beautiful it would have been a complete travesty if the transfer had let it down. Thankfully this hasn't happened.

The image is near perfection. Detail is very strong with every wrinkle and bead of sweat clearly visible on each cast members sun drenched face. Skin tones are very lifelike and natural. Object detail is incredibly strong with well saturated colouring.

The long shots are a true wonder in the HD format.

Film grain is perfectly in-tact with an extremely fine layer visible, this is never obtrusive and provides us with a very natural filmic look and guarantees the amazing detail and sharpness.

Gold's and brown's fill the colour palette throughout and provide us with a very warm feel to the proceedings. The darks are also impressive, they are inky and we do not lose objects in the shadows to crushing or delineation issues.

No edge enhancement techniques or DNR appear to of been used either.

Bravo Paramount and Thank You very much.

This is a massive leap from DVD releases and is a must buy.

Movie 5/5 - Transfer 5/5

THIS DISC IS REFERENCE QUALITY.