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Released by: Shout! Factory
Released on: June 4, 2013.
Director: James William Guerico
Cast: Robert Blake, Billy Green Bush, Mitch Ryan
Year: 1973
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The Movie:
Better known today as an O.J. like figure that most likely " beat the rap" on a very strange spousal murder case, Robert Blake was actually once known primarily as a fine actor. Before achieving worldwide fame as television's BARETTA his performance as one of the killers in the original IN COLD BLOOD showed what he was capable of.
Motorcycle cop John Wintergreen (Blake) has one defining physical characteristic - he's very short. But his small stature is compensated for by his big heart and passionate nature. He dreams of one day being a detective and while his " by the book" methods may seem inflexible he's actually scrupulously fair. He's also quite funny and has a surprising way with the ladies. He is also saddled with a brutish partner - Zipper (Billy Green Bush) who isn't above planting evidence or roughing up suspects. When Wintergreen and his partner are called to the scene of an apparent suicide the little guy smells something fishy and starts playing detective. This doesn't initially play well with the coroner, but eventually a hotshot detective is brought in named Harve Poole (Mitch Ryan from LETHAL WEAPON) to investigate. He's happy to play the grandiose mentor for the awestruck Wintergreen but while this is at first thrilling for Wintergreen it soon turns sour. Poole is a grandstanding egomaniac prone to questionable interrogation methods. This does not sit well with Wintergreen. When a woman comes between the two men and alters his plans for the future, Wintergreen faces some truly wrenching soul searching. It all leads to a haunting and genuinely powerful climax that will stay with you for a long time after the credits roll.
1973's ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE is a fascinating film for a number of reasons. It was the only serious directing credit of music business powerhouse James William Guercio (instrumental in the career of soft rockers CHICAGO) but was also shot by one of film's greatest cinematographers - Conrad Hall (COOL HAND LUKE). Shot on location in Arizona it had a troubled production history with Blake claiming it was really directed by himself and Hall with Guercio being sidelined due to his inexperience. Some of the film's most arresting sequences were added later on in post-production and utilized the talents of some of the stunt coordinators on THE FRENCH CONNECTION. Blake has also claimed that his vision of a lyrical and beautiful film was sullied by a bunch of violent scenes thrown in to compete for the action film market.
Whatever the truth is, the final product is both one of cinema's best looking films (the Arizona vistas are truly stunning) and a character actor tour de force. Blake is both charming and engaging and Ryan absolutely shines as the arrogant detective - he has a scene here where he is forced to face his character's shortcomings that could have easily been disastrously overwrought - instead it is a triumph of nuance and genuine pathos. This is also a great road film - the fetishization of the police motorcycles and their attendant gear (visors, helmets and leather outfits) is quite entertaining. I can't imagine how awful this film must have looked in a pan and scan version - rarely has 'scope been used so effectively as it is in this film.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Shout Factory! deliver a very strong AVC 1080p 2.35:1 transfer here that appears quite dark in a few sequences but anyone familiar with the previously issued 2005 DVD will know what to expect. This is indeed the way the film was shot. Detail is excellent even in the low light scenes and especially in the gorgeous outdoor shots. The Arizona desert has never looked better. Black leather boots glisten and you can feel the road dust as those bikes tear down the highway. Film grain is normal and untampered with and no digital manipulation of the image is readily apparent. Some shots exhibit mild flare but it seems to be a product of how Hall shot the film.
Audio is a serviceable DTS-HD Stereo track that gets the job done. It's lacking in the oomph factor but it is faithful to the original source and kudos to Shout! for not saddling us with one of those godawful fake surround mixes that used to litter reissues of older films. Dialog is clear and audible and the musical cues sensibly balanced.
Extras consist of a nice on-camera intro to the film by the director but be warned that this should NOT be watched before seeing the movie for the first time as it is loaded with spoilers and a distinctly underwhelming audio commentary by Guercio. There is a small amount of information about the making of the film in the commentary but it is awash in silent pauses and boring narration of the action that is going on onscreen. You also get the theatrical trailer.
The Final Word:
ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE is one of the great unsung classics of 70's cinema. Beautifully shot and acted and with a terrific script that often avoids the obvious it deserves a wider audience. Highly recommended.
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
