El Dorado [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

One of my favourite westerns and on blu-ray it's even better. The picture is sharp the colours are bright and the detail pops. Bearing in mind it does depend on what you are watching it on and playing it with (I have a Panasonic DMP-BDT320 blu-ray player matched to a Philips 55OLED903/12 TV) For a 50+ film it really is a great picture. I wish they could do something similar for my 50+ looks

Tucked between 1959's masterpiece Rio Bravo and his final, hugely underrated film Rio Lobo, this 1967 Howard Hawks movie is more of a true western than either, Bravo being as much a 'chamber comedy' as anything else, and Lobo a Civil War saga. But with El Dorado, you get just about every western trope throw into the mix, from the black-hatted baddie to the flirty goodtime gal, from the gamblers in the saloon to the boisterous shoot-out.Yet it's all controlled with such relaxed assurance by the director, with a slew of superb performances from Wayne, Mitchum, Caan {as 'Mississippi'}, Paul Fix, Ed Asner {baddie in black hat}, Charlene Holt {goodtime gal}, Christopher George {an amaible scarred good-bad guy}, and Michele Carey as a sharp-shootin' wild-haired tomboy. The acting is so uniformly good that one forgets to even think about it. Of course, the whole thing is a partial remake of Rio Bravo, but at the same time it's a very different film, even though Wayne, Mitch, Caan and Arthur Hunnicutt {as grizzled old Bull} are holed up in the town gaol, Mitch {as J.P Harrah} is a hopeless drunk on a lengthy bender, Duke is an unsentimental friend, and Charlene Holt as Maudie {voluptuous shades of Ann-Margret in this actress} acts as both love interest and unfussy helper when things get tough.Mitchum was a terrific actor if given a good script and director, and here he had both. Mitch knew all too well what it was like to be both drunk and hungover, but it's one thing to be drunk, another to act drunk. He never puts a foot wrong, you believe every moment. It's a wonderful feat of acting, so natural and so honest. Wayne is pitch perfect as ever, and James Caan, in his first major role, is a pint-sized ball of energy {and a lot more credible than Ricky Nelson's 'Colorado' in Rio Bravo}.Hawks hit gold when he cast Holt & Carey as the two women, one a smart, worldly woman, the other an impetuous yet soulful girl. But then, Hawks liked the women in his movies ~ Bacall, Hepburn, Angie Dickinson, Jean Arthur, etc ~ to give as good as they get.The plot is a little more convoluted than Rio Bravo's, but a town requires cleaning up, and rival factions need weeding out. That's about it, though the devil is in the details, of which Hawks was a master. Duke & Mitch are just great together {as were Duke & Martin in Bravo}, and the whole thing is two hours of frontier heaven. The final scene is hilarious, with Mitchum's final line a throwaway hoot.At his best, nobody made better westerns than Hawks. But then, at his best no one made better films than Hawks.This one's a good 'un!

Have always loved this film since I saw it on television Christmas 1973.It looks absolutely stunning in blu Ray.The film is classic John Wayne/Howard Hawks.A traditional good guys verses bad guys western with a great teaming of Wayne and Mitchum.They work so well together it’s a pity they didn’t make more films together.The supporting cast are all superb as well and the whole film comes together as a classic western.

Released for the first time on the 'Blu-ray' format this 'Howard Hawks' offering see's'Cole Thornton' (John Wayne) rides into 'El-Dorado' he's been offered a job by thelocal land-baron 'Bart Jason'.....'Cole' is a Gunman of some repute.In town he comes across the Sheriff, alcoholic 'J.P.Harrah' (Robert Mitchum) who heused to ride with, 'J.P. tells 'Cole' a very different version of why his gun is requiredby 'Jason''Cole' is convinced by his old pal to ride out to 'Jason's' ranch and withdraw his services.Returning to 'El Dorado' 'Cole' has a run in with the 'Macdonald's' which results in himshooting the youngest son, then being wounded himself at the hands of 'Joey Macdonald''Cole' decides to move on, ending up in a boarder town where he comes to the aid of'Mississippi' (James Caan) and comes face to face with 'Nelse Mcleod' and his side-kicks,'Cole' learns that they arei heading to 'El Dorado' as 'guns' for 'Jason' (The job 'Cole' hadturned down)Well, 'Cole' decides his place is back in 'El Dorado' supporting his friend 'J.P' he is joinedby the Knife-Throwing 'Mississippi' (who can't use a gun....yet)A range war is brewing back in 'El Dorado' ...'Bart Jason' plans to run the 'Macdonald's' offtheir land, getting rid of the alcoholic Sheriff is also on his mind.'Cole' will need 'J.P' sober for the challenge ahead.Some great gun-play a little brawling and plenty of humour leading up to the climax.Great performances from 'Robert Mitchum' and the usual 'cool' performance from the 'Duke'Well worth viewing on the Blu-ray format....A decent HD upgrade.Extra's -* Commentary by 'Peter Bogdanovich'* Commentary by film historian and critic 'Richard Schickel' and author 'Todd McCarthy'* Ride, Boldly ride:-The journey to El Dorado.* The artist and the American west.* Behind the gates: 'A.C.Lyles' remembers 'John Wayne'Currently available to order on Amazon direct from the U.S. (again, good news for thoseinterested buying this 'Classic -Western' the film is 'Multi-Region'