The Far Country (1954)

[Dailyan]

NEW UK/US/CA TITLE: The Far Country (Blu-ray)

An epic saga set during the heady times of the Klondike Gold Rush, The Far Country captures the scenic grandeur of northern Canada’s icy glaciers and snow-swept mountains in vivid Technicolor.

TWO-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

Two presentations of The Far Country in both original aspect ratios of 1.85:1 and 2.00:1
Brand new 4K restoration from the original film elements by Arrow Films
Original 1.0 stereo audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Limited edition booklet with new writing on the film by Philip Kemp and original reviews
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys

DISC ONE

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the film in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1
New audio commentary by film scholar Adrian Martin
American Frontiers: Anthony Mann at Universal, an all-new, feature-length documentary with Mann biographer Alan K. Rode, western author C. Courtney Joyner, script supervisor Michael Preece, and critics Michael Schlesinger and Rob Word
Mann of the West, a newly filmed appraisal of Far Country and the westerns of Anthony Mann by the critic Kim Newman
Image gallery
Original trailer

DISC TWO

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the film in the alternate original aspect ratio of 2.00:1

[bonehica]

It's not Winchester '73 or The Naked Spur, but maybe we are getting closer. I don't think I have seen this one.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by bonehica

I don't think I have seen this one.

I haven't seen it either but I have enjoyed the other Mann westerns I've seen (Winchester '73, The Man From Laramie, and Man of the West) and I'm sure to enjoy this one.

[Gunsnroses092789]

This is a good film, but certainly not Winchester, Naked or Bend good.

[happydood]

Originally Posted by Gunsnroses092789

This is a good film, but certainly not Winchester, Naked or Bend good.

All of the Mann Stewart westerns are worth it, but yeah, I agree.

[Aclea]

I'd disagree: I think it's one of their best collaborations, and it sounds like a great release:



"I don't need other people. I don't need help. I can take care of me."

The penultimate collaboration between director Anthony Mann and star James Stewart (excluding the few days Mann worked on Night Passage before parting company with the star under less than amicable circumstances), The Far Country belies its mainstream look to offer another portrait of an embittered man dragged unwillingly to his own redemption, fighting it every step of the way. This time he's a cattle driver whose response to labour problems - challenging troublesome cowhands to a gunfight at the end of the trail - results in his cattle being confiscated by John McIntire's larcenous judge of the Roy Bean school of law and order. Stealing them back and taking them across the Canadian border, he soon finds himself unwillingly drawn into the growing conflict between prospectors and the judge as he cheats or kills them out of their claims...

While it's no great surprise which way Stewart turns at the end, he's a surprisingly callous critter along the way, even using his desire to just be left alone to excuse not warning a group of prospectors of an impending avalanche when he has the chance because it's not his problem. For most of the film there's really only a hair's breadth between him and McIntire, something the judge recognises immediately, revelling in the company of a kindred spirit even as he's genially planning to lynch him. In many ways the townspeople who put their faith in him probably recognise it too - despite their appeals to his dead-and-buried better nature, there's an unspoken acknowledgement that the only person who can stand up to the judge is someone almost as bad as he is.

As usual with Mann there's an exceptional use of high country locations, though for once the final showdown takes place on level ground, and the film is almost perfectly cast with strong support from Walter Brennan, Harry Morgan and Ruth Roman (though Corinne Calvert's young romantic interest veers to the irritating). Sadly the great cinematography of the Canadian Rockies was done few favours by the distinctly average DVD transfer, so hopefully Arrow's edition will be a big improvement on that front.

[StarDestroyer52]

While it isn't Winchester 73 or Bend of the River, this is probably my next favorite Mann-Stewart Western. I'll be getting this at the beginning of the month from Diabolik.

[Thomas Veil]

This was on constantly on cable on saturday afternoons back in the day. I actually prefer Bend of the River and this over Winchester. Can't stand Shelley Winters as an actress and dont think Millard Mitchell was a memorable bad guy. I like the more colorful characters of Far and Bend.

[Richard--W]

Arrow will do this right. I'm looking forward to this release.

[Viriconium]

This is basically my favorite western ever. I know some people have been struggling to get booklets despite ordering on or near day 1. I definitely want to get a booklet with this release. Where should I order this one from?

[The Great Owl]

You'd better believe I'm going to buy this. Can't go wrong with the Anthony Mann westerns, James Stewart, or Ruth Roman.

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by Richard--W

[Show spoiler]Arrow has announced a new 4K scan of Anthony Mann's THE FAR COUNTRY
(Universal-International 1954) on blu-ray. Release date November 12.

It was nice of you to repeat the information that was contained in the OP...job well done.

[CinemaScope]

John McIntire makes a great villain, & it's always good to see the James Stewart regular, Jay C. Flippen, who's a real scene stealer.

[robtadrian]

Originally Posted by Viriconium

This is basically my favorite western ever. I know some people have been struggling to get booklets despite ordering on or near day 1. I definitely want to get a booklet with this release. Where should I order this one from?

If you are in the United States I recommend MVD https://mvdshop.com/
Also contact Christopher Maressa via the MVD Instagram page

[SGFfilmfan]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Day one for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think it's better than "Bend of the River" or at least I enjoy watching it more. John McIntire as Mr. Gannon is one of my favorite Western heels. "Now, get out of here, and take that with you!" / "I like you. I'm gonna kill you, but I like you."

"...Mann biographer Alan K. Rode"...Whoa! Wait! Is Mann getting the Michael Curtiz treatment? Can't wait to read that one.

There's a subtle (or maybe not so subtle) liberal/conservative, capitalist/communist, individualist/it takes a village sub-plot between Jimmy Stewart and Corinne Calvet.

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by Viriconium

This is basically my favorite western ever. I know some people have been struggling to get booklets despite ordering on or near day 1. I definitely want to get a booklet with this release. Where should I order this one from?

Diabolik.

[captainsolo]

Holy moly stop the presses!
This is one of those literal I’m having a really bad day and this announcement means the world is a brighter place moments.

Firstly it’s extremely strange that the lesser of the five Mann Stewart Westerns gets a royal 4k treatment before others let alone a full blown Arrow release-and that it is stuffed with two presentations and extras AND indicating a full blown Mann biography is on the horizon...catch me I’m going to faint!!!������ As a longtime Mann champion this is too much to take in at once!!!

Now while I do think it is perhaps the weakest of the five westerns they made together-it was an early favorite of mine and is still full of quirky weird flourishes and outstanding photography on location-and phenomenal supporting parts. I can’t believe this film is finally getting proper respect.
Please for the love of God let Arrow redo BEND OF THE RIVER.
NAKED SPUR is dying for proper HD as the only print I’ve seems to have been utilized for the dvd as both are full of out of focus moments.
And the fact that Winchester is STILL not in HD despite 4k rumors for years is nuts.


I’m shocked and stunned and completely on cloud nine right now. It will be down to this and Jonny Quest for disc of the year...
But my only caveat is why no alternate 1.33 presentation? I get that it being later was probably intended for widescreen unlike THUNDER BAY but this is the one of the Westerns where aspect ratio is suspect and on the older open transfers there are many shots that feel less cramped. The old Laserdisc double feature set in particular has a gorgeous print sourced transfer. I’m curious what the tighter 2.1 framing will look like but since I already think 1.85 is tight in some places I doubt if I’ll watch it often.

[Robert Furmanek]

The Far Country began filming on August 19, 1953. That was several months after U-I shut down all departments and switched to 100% widescreen production.

There is more information on this page of our website including primary source documents from the studio. http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/the-fir...-of-widescreen

[nitin]

For me, Winchester 73 > The Man From Laramie/The Far Country > The Naked Spur > Bend of the River

But I rate all 5 too.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Aclea

I'd disagree: I think it's one of their best collaborations, and it sounds like a great release:

What exactly are you disagreeing with? You say it's one of their best collaborations. Well no one said it wasn't, they just stated it's not Winchester '73, or Naked Spur, which are considered to be among the best of their collaborations. So, are you disagreeing with that? Would you say The Far Country is better than Winchester?