The Far Country (1954)

[StarDestroyer52]

Originally Posted by f451

Mann/Stewart = Good entertainment at the least; superb at best. This is an enjoyable film, way overdue, and I'm glad to have on Blu-ray.

Some great westerns have been available for years on Blu-ray overseas. The Last Wagon is available in Europe. 7 Men from Now is available in Japan. Canyon Passage in Spain. Let's bring 'em on home.

Kino is releasing Canyon Passage. With the uncertainty behind the Fox situation, The Last Wagon is probably not happening in the US/UK, and hopefully the thawing with the Paramount titles in that Paramount is now supposed to be more willing to be licensing out to boutiques that Seven Men From Now is a future possibility.

[bonehica]

Mine arrived today from Amazon. These come with a slipcover. Nice!

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

It was scanned from “the original film elements”.

Yeah, the negative.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K resolution at NBC Universal's Studio Post facility.

[SGFfilmfan]

Reviews haven't been kind. I'm getting mine on Saturday from Amazon.

[ArnoldLayne56]

Well, that was abrupt and not appreciated, after B&N had accepted my order on the 9th... now only available from their 'marketplace sellers' not at the BN 50% Arrow sale price.

We're sorry, but we weren't able to fulfill some or all of the items in your order, as listed below. The item(s) are not available in our stock. We canceled these items and you will not be charged for this portion of your order.

This part of your Order (#4086396096) has been canceled:
Item Qty
Far Country 1

[Aclea]

I pre-ordered from Arrow - who haven't bothered to ship it...

[Central IL Film Fan]

My B&N order got cancelled also.

[thecalm_7]

Originally Posted by ArnoldLayne56

Well, that was abrupt and not appreciated, after B&N had accepted my order on the 9th... now only available from their 'marketplace sellers' not at the BN 50% Arrow sale price.

We're sorry, but we weren't able to fulfill some or all of the items in your order, as listed below. The item(s) are not available in our stock. We canceled these items and you will not be charged for this portion of your order.

This part of your Order (#4086396096) has been canceled:
Item Qty
Far Country 1

Originally Posted by Central IL Film Fan

My B&N order got cancelled also.

Yesterday mine said it was expected by the 15th. Now it’s cancelled but no email. Still hoping for Robocop. But I suppose I should find alternate means and just return the double if I get multiple.

[MillyD]

I got my pre order from Arrow last Friday, and watched over the weekend. Good film like it better than "The Man From Laramie" for example but the quality of the film transfer didn't seem that great, particularly some outdoor scenes. Guess the original elements weren't so great.

[bonehica]

Yea, I watched this last night and the transfer varied from scene to scene. Great little Western, however, and I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Now bring on Naked Spur and Winchester '73!!

[Pumpkinhead]

Hard to believe this was taken from the original camera neg, given the distracting softness/weakness of the image. With the exception of REVENGE OF THE CREATURE, which had transferring issues, all recent neg-scanned releases have been breathtaking... MURDER MY SWEET, THE BODY SNATCHER, AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, ANDROMEDA STRAIN, THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, A FACE IN THE CROWD, DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES, THE NIGHT STALKER, DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK... I mean, astonishing quality. THE FAR COUNTRY looks terrible by comparison, super-soft and grainy; the opening establishing optical shot pretty much sets the sorry tone. Personally, despite the fresh location, I always found COUNTRY to be more formulaic than Mann's surrounding westerns, but it's still an important entry in the group and a must for anyone interested in the filmmaker's output. So this recent Arrow release does indeed represent the best way to go, lesser image and all.

[EVERYONE LIES]

Originally Posted by Pumpkinhead

Hard to believe this was taken from the original camera neg, given the distracting softness/weakness of the image. With the exception of REVENGE OF THE CREATURE, which had transferring issues, all recent neg-scanned releases have been breathtaking... MURDER MY SWEET, THE BODY SNATCHER, AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, ANDROMEDA STRAIN, THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, A FACE IN THE CROWD, DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES, THE NIGHT STALKER, DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK... I mean, astonishing quality. THE FAR COUNTRY looks terrible by comparison, super-soft and grainy; the opening establishing optical shot pretty much sets the sorry tone. Personally, despite the fresh location, I always found COUNTRY to be more formulaic than Mann's surrounding westerns, but it's still an important entry in the group and a must for anyone interested in the filmmaker's output. So this recent Arrow release does indeed represent the best way to go, lesser image and all.

Universal’s 50’s color films were shot on garbage stock. The reviewer failed to mention this. Only Warnercolor is worse. This is actually one of Jimmy Stewart’s worst movies and his worst collaboration with Anthony Mann in my opinion. Imagine how bad this would have looked if it wasn’t in Arrow’s hands.

[johnpaul2]

I have a hard time thinking this is a competent restoration, even more so done in 4K from the OCN.
It doesn't look like film at all. It's thick, full of ringing all through the movie as if the whole movie is an optical dissolve, and just out-of-focus 95% of the time. Even if accounting for "garbage stock", I've never seen a movie properly restored ending up looking like this, even cheap ones.

[SGFfilmfan]

I think it's one of Mann's better films and I think the blu-ray looks pretty good. A lot better than the DVD did. People should buy it!!!!!

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by EVERYONE LIES

Universal’s 50’s color films were shot on garbage stock. The reviewer failed to mention this. Only Warnercolor is worse. This is actually one of Jimmy Stewart’s worst movies and his worst collaboration with Anthony Mann in my opinion. Imagine how bad this would have looked if it wasn’t in Arrow’s hands.

Setting aside the questionable transfer / restoration, I disagree with your estimate of the
film. THE FAR COUNTRY is a significant western and one of Jimmy Stewart's and Anthony
Mann's best films.

[ArnoldLayne56]

Originally Posted by johnpaul2

I have a hard time thinking this is a competent restoration, even more so done in 4K from the OCN.
It doesn't look like film at all. It's thick, full of ringing all through the movie as if the whole movie is an optical dissolve, and just out-of-focus 95% of the time. Even if accounting for "garbage stock", I've never seen a movie properly restored ending up looking like this, even cheap ones.

After just projecting the first half, yup. It looks about like a reasonable DVD, not as good as some I have. Not an expert on film stock but I'd surprised if this is as good as it can look. Disappointing for sure.

[laidbacklarkin]

Anyone has the German Explosive media release ? If yes, how does the PQ rate compared to Arrow ?

EDIT: Nevermind, the German release is a Sep 2020 pre-order

[Bourne1886]

Picked this up from HMV on line. They were having a flash sale 50% off. £7.50.About $10 US dollars. In case anybody was interested.


Edit:- I feel I must echo some of the sentiments here about the PQ. If this was scanned in 4k from the OCN I’m not that impressed. I mean it’s ok but really looks like a decentish dvd which lacks consistency. It’s extremely soft, lacks a lot detail and has a bit of flickering. God knows what it must have looked like before Arrow got its hands on it. Anyway it’s still a good package from Arrow. Luckily I got the 2 disc set with the booklet from HMV. And for £7.50 it’s a bargain.

[bagdul]

I watched the 2018? Restoration on the German BD yesterday. Then I took a peek on the extras. There were a compare split screen feature between the 2010 and the latter. I thought the 2010 was better all the time. The German BD offer both versions. If I remember next time I choose the earlier transfer.
BTW. Anyone agree that James Stewart is wrong casted? I love him as an actor, but him to play a selfish ass---e did not work for me.

[Sopranogl]

I enjoyed this film very much. Mann and Stewart could do no wrong. As for the soft picture...? Perhaps this was a stylistic choice...?