That’s the question at the center of Kirk Douglas’ clever Western satire Posse. Directed, produced and starring Douglas the film that has Douglas as a US Marshal with big political aspirations if he can only capture a wily Bank Robber played by Bruce Dern. As they the battle of wits begins one begins to see that the two men are not so different than one another. Self-serving, self-aggrandizing operators willing to do anything to make sure they end up ahead.
The film running a lean 97-minutes is not about the normal bank robbery give chase sort of back and forth of this Western subgenre. Strawhorn (Dern) is caught within the first thirty minutes. The gang he attempts to use is executed with extreme prejudice by Nightingale (Douglas) team of Marshal’s. It’s what unfolds as Nightingale comes back to the small town Strawhorn shot their local sheriff that the film is interested in. As Nightingale begins political posturing, we see his and his men’s real nature come out. These men are no better than Strawhorn, only having badges to justify their actions.
As the final third unfolds in the most unexpected of ways, we find Strawhorn, Nightingale, and the other tested. How they respond to those tests and offers of allegiance makes Posse one of the more interesting Westerns of the 1970s.
The Transfer
The all-new HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is an excellent representation of the widescreen image. The image is sharp and beautifully filmic. There isn’t a blemish or scratch on the transfer. The image is gorgeously luminous showcasing the wonderful widescreen anamorphic photography by Fred J. Koenekamp. This Blu-ray will please any fan of the film.
The Extras
They include the following;
NEW Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell
Theatrical Trailer
The all-new Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell begins with the tag lines from the promotional materials that framed it as a ‘different western”. Some of the details include setting the film landscape in 1975 when this film was made; the filmmakers and films that were released at the time that usually dealt with the end of the western frontier; the effect that The Wild Bunch had on Westerns and Action films in general and approaching violence; the work here and career of co-star Bruce Dern – and the effect that his role in The Shootist had an impact on his career as “the man who shot John Wayne”; the all too clean and contemporary costuming of Dern’s character – why this was probably done; this being the only directing credit for Kirk Douglas; the dangerous and iconic horse stunt that is the center piece of advertising; the acting work of Kirk Douglas in the film – where he was in his career at 59 years old when he made it; the work of co-star James Stacey – which was post-motorcycle accident where he lost his left leg and arm – and how the role was written specifically for him; Douglas’ views on how the film got made and how it wouldn’t have been possible a decade prior; a discussion of Douglas and Dern and how they felt about collaboration; a larger discussion of the production locations they used in Arizona; a larger discussion of the use of politics and the news media in the film throughout; a larger discussion throughout of the various actors that appear in the film; and much more. Mitchell provides a truly wonderful and informative commentary track with multiple long form quotes from the cast and crew including Douglas and Dern.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Posse (1:44); Man without a Star (0:59); Gunfight at the O.K. Corral(2:13); The Last Sunset (2:31); Lonely are the Brave (0:54); Will Penny (3:10); Doc (2:42); Chato’s Land (2:10); Joe Kidd (2:23); Valdez is Coming (2:53);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber continues to release arresting obscure titles like Posse giving them fresh leases on life with great editions. Recommended!
Kirk Douglas directs and stars in the Western Posse. New to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.
The Film
Who’s the real criminals?
That’s the question at the center of Kirk Douglas’ clever Western satire Posse. Directed, produced and starring Douglas the film that has Douglas as a US Marshal with big political aspirations if he can only capture a wily Bank Robber played by Bruce Dern. As they the battle of wits begins one begins to see that the two men are not so different than one another. Self-serving, self-aggrandizing operators willing to do anything to make sure they end up ahead.
The film running a lean 97-minutes is not about the normal bank robbery give chase sort of back and forth of this Western subgenre. Strawhorn (Dern) is caught within the first thirty minutes. The gang he attempts to use is executed with extreme prejudice by Nightingale (Douglas) team of Marshal’s. It’s what unfolds as Nightingale comes back to the small town Strawhorn shot their local sheriff that the film is interested in. As Nightingale begins political posturing, we see his and his men’s real nature come out. These men are no better than Strawhorn, only having badges to justify their actions.
As the final third unfolds in the most unexpected of ways, we find Strawhorn, Nightingale, and the other tested. How they respond to those tests and offers of allegiance makes Posse one of the more interesting Westerns of the 1970s.
The Transfer
The all-new HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is an excellent representation of the widescreen image. The image is sharp and beautifully filmic. There isn’t a blemish or scratch on the transfer. The image is gorgeously luminous showcasing the wonderful widescreen anamorphic photography by Fred J. Koenekamp. This Blu-ray will please any fan of the film.
The Extras
They include the following;
The all-new Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell begins with the tag lines from the promotional materials that framed it as a ‘different western”. Some of the details include setting the film landscape in 1975 when this film was made; the filmmakers and films that were released at the time that usually dealt with the end of the western frontier; the effect that The Wild Bunch had on Westerns and Action films in general and approaching violence; the work here and career of co-star Bruce Dern – and the effect that his role in The Shootist had an impact on his career as “the man who shot John Wayne”; the all too clean and contemporary costuming of Dern’s character – why this was probably done; this being the only directing credit for Kirk Douglas; the dangerous and iconic horse stunt that is the center piece of advertising; the acting work of Kirk Douglas in the film – where he was in his career at 59 years old when he made it; the work of co-star James Stacey – which was post-motorcycle accident where he lost his left leg and arm – and how the role was written specifically for him; Douglas’ views on how the film got made and how it wouldn’t have been possible a decade prior; a discussion of Douglas and Dern and how they felt about collaboration; a larger discussion of the production locations they used in Arizona; a larger discussion of the use of politics and the news media in the film throughout; a larger discussion throughout of the various actors that appear in the film; and much more. Mitchell provides a truly wonderful and informative commentary track with multiple long form quotes from the cast and crew including Douglas and Dern.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Posse (1:44); Man without a Star (0:59); Gunfight at the O.K. Corral(2:13); The Last Sunset (2:31); Lonely are the Brave (0:54); Will Penny (3:10); Doc (2:42); Chato’s Land (2:10); Joe Kidd (2:23); Valdez is Coming (2:53);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber continues to release arresting obscure titles like Posse giving them fresh leases on life with great editions. Recommended!
Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray edition of Posse is out now.
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