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Django 4K Review

“Django” is a classic spaghetti western.

Written and directed by Sergio Corbucci alongside co-writer Bruno Corbucci, “Django” revolves around the titular gunslinging, coffin carrying outlaw’s adventures that involve a robbery, a rescued woman (Maria), a crazed Confederate Major (Jackson), and Mexican revolutionaries led by General Hugo. How does everything play together? Well, that would be telling.

When it comes to spaghetti westerns, the works of Sergio Leone and “Django” stand tall above the rest. Not only is 1966’s “Django” highly influential (especially to a filmmaker like Quentin Tarantino), but it’s unique, ultra violent style stands out when compared to other westerns. Plus that Elvis/James Bond esque title song sung by Rocky Roberts just plain rules.

 The mud-soaked movie doesn’t focus on the usual western tropes and instead tells its own wild, shootout filled story that doesn’t unfold in an ordinary fashion. It’s a bit unwieldy, and yet, that’s part of its appeal. You don’t really know where it’s going or what will happen. 

Franco Nero solidified his place in western movie history with his performance in the title role. He’s a true mysterious badass and a deadly one at that. From the opening frames you know you’re seeing a one of a kind unforgettable character.

As an added bonus 1966’s “Texas, Adios” has also been included in this set (although it is not related to “Django”).  The film stars Franco Nero as a Sheriff (Burt) who is seeking vengeance against his father’s murderer alongside his young brother Jim. Of course, there’s a big twist along the way. Storywise, this is a very traditional vengeance spaghetti western that doesn’t bring much new to the table. There are some exciting shootouts and Nero himself is good, but it’s no spaghetti western classic by any means.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.66:1 2160p for “Django” and 1.85:1 1080 for “Texas, Adios.” How do they look? The “Django” print has some noticeable flaws, but the colors really pop here. The same goes with “Texas, Adios.”

Audio Track: Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM. How do they sound? I would say both tracks are a little snowy but still satisfactory (especially for Mono tracks). 

Extras:
* A booklet with photos, credits, essays by authors Howard Hughes and Roberto Curti, Corbucci on “Django,” original reviews,
* Double-sided poster
* 6 “Django” postcards
* Stills, posters, lobby cards, press and home video image galleries.
* Italian and International trailers for “Django.”
* An intro to “Django” by Alex Cox
* Individual archival interviews with co-writer Piero Vivareli, stuntman Gilberto Galimberti, and co-writer Franco Rossetti.
* “Discovering Django”- A film appreciation by spaghetti western scholar Austin Fisher.
* New individual interviews with Nori Corbucci (Sergio’s wife), assistant director Ruggero Deodato, and Franco Nero. The lengthy 26 minute interview with Nero is well worth checking out.
* Commentary on “Django” by film critic/film historian Stephen Prince.
* Trailer and stills, posters, lobby cards, press and home video image galleries for “Texas, Adios.”
* New separate interviews for “Texas, Adios” by Franco Nero and actor Alberto Dell’Acqua.
* Individual archival interviews for “Texas, Adios” by Franco Rossetti,
* “Hello Texas!”- Another film appreciation by Austin Fisher.
* Commentary on “Texas, Adios” by spaghetti western experts C. Courtney Joyner and Henry C. Parke.

May 22, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Arrow Video, Django, Django 4K Review, Spaghetti Westerns, Texas Adios, Westerns