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Companeros

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    Ian Jane
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  • Companeros



    Released by: Blue Underground
    Released on: October 28th, 2014.
    Director: Sergio Corbucci
    Cast: Tomas Milian, Franco Nero, Jack Palance, Fernando Ray
    Year: 1970
    Purchase From Amazon

    The Movie:

    Directed by the late, great Sergio Corbucci (he of Django fame), Companeros was released in 1970, just as the 'boom years' of the Spaghetti Western cycle were starting to wane. That doesn't make it any less entertaining or any less fun, mind you, but it might at least explain why it isn't as well-known as some of the more popular entries. It may not have the recognition of Leone's films or the aforementioned Django but it's an excellent film and should be a welcome addition to any Spaghetti Western fan's Blu-ray library.

    The story is set during the Mexican Revolution and revolves around a Swedish arms dealer named Yodlaf Peterson (Franco Nero) who decides to ply his wares in the town of San Bernardino, specifically to a General Mongo (José Bí³dalo), the man behind the current political uprising. Before he can get to Mongo, however, he has to deal with his right hand man, El Vasco (Tomas Milian), a bit of a lunatic who is none too keen on cooperating with Peterson. When Mongo does arrive and meets with Peterson, he lets him in on his plan to empty the town safe of its contents offering to split the loot with him fifty-fifty if he'll help him out.

    There is a catch, however -the only one who has the combination to the safe is Professor Xantos (Fernando Ray) and he's currently doing time in prison. In order to spring Xantos out of jail, Yodlaf and El Vasco will have to work together, but given their respective temperaments, that's not going to be easy, and then there's the not insignificant matter of a one-handed pot-smoking killer named John (Jack Palance) to contend with, a man with ties to Peterson's past who cares more about his beloved pet hawk than any human character in the film.

    Being a Corbucci movie and all, it's not surprising that the politics of the revolution going on when the movie takes place are discussed. This happens primarily as Nero and Milian (who looks an awful lot like Che Guevara here - coincidence?) travel and by the time the movie is over, the reason for this becomes apparent in the plot as El Vasco's loyalties to Mongo are called into question. El Vasco is, on the surface at least, passionate about all of this to start with whereas Peterson becomes involved in matters far more begrudgingly. It's interesting how all of this plays out and how the two Spaghetti Western stalwarts bring their respective characters, polar opposites really, to life on the screen.

    A great supporting performance from Palance is also worth noting. His character is completely over the top and he really just goes for it. John is a thug, a heartless bastard of a man quick on the trigger and seemingly without mercy. This makes him the perfect foil for the two 'heroes' of the story and Palance plays the part with a ridiculous amount of scenery chewing enthusiasm. He's a lot of fun to watch here and he tends to steal the scenes he is in.

    Though the film does not want for action set pieces, this is a more character driven Spaghetti Western than average. It sets itself apart from the typical revenge driven plots that seem to dominate the cycle and is all the more enjoyable for it. The movie finds the right mix of action, adventure, suspense and humor and all of this is not only wonderfully photographed but also set to a fantastic score from the inimitable Ennio Morricone.

    Note: This release from Blue Underground contains both the 115 minute long English language version of the movie as well as a longer (previously released) 118 minute cut Italian language cut of the film that features some additional scenes that were never dubbed into English for the export version.

    Video/Audio/Extras:

    Blue Underground brings both versions of Companeros to Blu-ray in AVC encoded 1080p high definition framed at 2.35.1 widescreen, the film's proper aspect ratio. On both cuts, detail is increased quite noticeably over the past DVD release and colors are reproduced very nicely here though things do look more than a little smooth indicating maybe some noise reduction has been applied here. Black levels are solid and the image is in very nice shape showing no serious print damage, dirt or debris but the noise reduction is a turn off. The colors on the English version aren't quite as good as the longer cut. Note that these are two separate transfers, this isn't a seamless branching option but in fact two completely different encodes. Blue Underground has wisely used a 50GB disc to handle this.

    Audio options are provided for the 115 minute version in English language DTS-HD M an for the 118 minute version in Italian language DTS-HD Mono and English language DTS-HD Mono mix (where the film cuts to Italian for the scenes that were never dubbed into English, subtitles appear automatically on screen). Both tracks sound quite nice, no problems with any hiss or distortion, nicely balanced levels and fairly decent depth throughout.

    Extras are a mix of old and new and start off with an audio commentary with film journalists Henry Parke and C. Courtney Joyner. This is a solid, info-packed track that not only offers up a nice history of who did what and why but which also explores the politics behind the film and places the movie in its proper context alongside other entries in Corbucci's filmography. It's a well-paced discussion and a good way to revisit a film that a lot of Spaghetti Western fans will no doubt already be quite familiar with.

    There's also a featurette here entitled In the Company Of Companeros that runs just over seventeen minutes and features interviews with Franco Nero, Tomas Milan and Ennio Morricone. This appeared on both the previous Anchor Bay DVD and the Blue Underground reissue and it's a pretty fun watch. Milian is at his eccentric best here while Nero plays it a little more straight. Morricone's input here is welcome too, as he talks about what he was going for with the score he composed for the picture.

    The disc also includes a large gallery of promotional artwork and archival stills, English and Italian language theatrical trailers for the feature, two TV spots, animated menus and chapter selection.

    The Final Word:

    Companeros is a really entertaining mix of humor and action set to a great score and performed by an equally great cast. Milian, Nero and Palance all turn in fun work here and are a blast to watch while the script goes at a quick pace and the movie is nicely shot. Blue Underground's Blu-ray release of the film offers a good upgrade from the previous DVD releases and throws in some new supplements and the alternate English language cut of the film as well. A pretty solid release overall.

    Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!




















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