Andrew V. McLaglen was a big man (6’7″
, who filled another big man’s shoes – those of his father, Victor (6’3″. In terms of height, he was one of the few directors that could look Mr. Wayne in the eye.
Beginning his film career in the mid-’40s as an assistant director on many John Wayne films, inclusive of several working under William Wellman, he moved up to director in 1956, and continued until 1991, as a prolific studio filmmaker.
Among his best known works are McLintock! (1963), The Rare Breed (1966), The Way West (1967), The Devil’s Brigade, Hellfighters and Bandolero! (1968), The Undefeated (1969), Chisum (1970), Fool’s Parade (1971) et al.
Many in the western genre, and all workmanlike productions, some of which have stood the test of time very nicely, and have made it to Blu-ray via Kino, as part of their deal with Universal.
Shenandoah (1965), a Civil War drama, starring James Stewart, along with a host of known faces, is unfortunately not one of those “stand the test of time” films.
It creaks of studio, of costumes from the racks, and acting at a more than good enough level.
I’d call it a film for James Stewart completists, and they should be happy with it, as the transfer on which the Blu-ray is based, is more than good enough for the purpose.
Color and densities are fine. Costumes look pretty. It’s a nice stable image from an older transfer, which means that film grain is not something that will stand out.
One of the things that always gets me in historical dramas are people whose hair styles are of the era of production – perfectly quaffed – and with not a concept of reality in sight. That concept fits Shenandoah perfectly.
Image – 3.75
Audio – 4.5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Yes
RAH
, who filled another big man’s shoes – those of his father, Victor (6’3″. In terms of height, he was one of the few directors that could look Mr. Wayne in the eye.Beginning his film career in the mid-’40s as an assistant director on many John Wayne films, inclusive of several working under William Wellman, he moved up to director in 1956, and continued until 1991, as a prolific studio filmmaker.
Among his best known works are McLintock! (1963), The Rare Breed (1966), The Way West (1967), The Devil’s Brigade, Hellfighters and Bandolero! (1968), The Undefeated (1969), Chisum (1970), Fool’s Parade (1971) et al.
Many in the western genre, and all workmanlike productions, some of which have stood the test of time very nicely, and have made it to Blu-ray via Kino, as part of their deal with Universal.
Shenandoah (1965), a Civil War drama, starring James Stewart, along with a host of known faces, is unfortunately not one of those “stand the test of time” films.
It creaks of studio, of costumes from the racks, and acting at a more than good enough level.
I’d call it a film for James Stewart completists, and they should be happy with it, as the transfer on which the Blu-ray is based, is more than good enough for the purpose.
Color and densities are fine. Costumes look pretty. It’s a nice stable image from an older transfer, which means that film grain is not something that will stand out.
One of the things that always gets me in historical dramas are people whose hair styles are of the era of production – perfectly quaffed – and with not a concept of reality in sight. That concept fits Shenandoah perfectly.
Image – 3.75
Audio – 4.5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from DVD – Yes
RAH
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