'Pale Rider' by Robert A. George
Often derided as derivative for its parallels to the film Shane, Clint Eastwood's mythical western, Pale Rider, seems to have a more devoted following among movie fans than among movie critics. This new DVD edition of Pale Rider from Warner is likely to win a few more fans.
The widescreen transfer on this DVD is near flawless, breathing new life into this 12 year-old film. Colors are strong and accurate without a trace of bleeding or chroma noise. There are a number of very dark scenes in this film that come off as grainy and muddy in all previous video versions (the letterboxed laserdisc made a fair effort at it) but are rendered here with a velvety smoothness and surprising detail. Overall contrast and brightness are excellent. The widescreen framing looks to be spot-on 2.35:1. There is a full-screen pan & scan version on the second side of this disc, if you can stand to watch this beautifully photographed film that way.
Another nice feature of this DVD edition is a newly remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. The discrete digital format offers greater range and clarity over the 2-channel surround audio. While this mix does not have the aggressive surround presence of most newer films of this type, the surround channels are used effectively for ambient sounds and even a few split surround effects.
Pale Rider runs 116 minutes and contains 28 chapters. Along with the production notes and cast bios, Warner has included a trailer for Pale Rider and a trailer for Eastwood's epic western, Unforgiven. List price is $24.98. © Robert A. George 1997. E-mail: .
When it comes to enjoying a movie at its fullest, the quality of the audio and visual experience holds great significance. The DVD edition of Pale Rider proves just that. With its flawless widescreen transfer, accurate colors, and excellent contrast and brightness, this edition breathes new life into the classic film. The remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack enhances the audio experience, utilizing the surround channels effectively for immersive ambient sounds. Warner has truly delivered a remarkable edition that is sure to captivate a wider audience of movie enthusiasts.
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