DVD Corner

Butcher’s Crossing Blu-ray Review

“Butcher’s Crossing” is an admirable western. 

Based on the novel by John Williams, “Butcher’s Crossing” is a western story set in 1874 told from the perspective of Will Andrews. Will is a Harvard student who has decided to leave college in order to see the world and find purpose in life. He ventures to Kansas where he joins up with buffalo hunter (Miller) who speaks highly of a Colorado pass containing a massive buffalo herd. Alongside buffalo skinner Fred and camp manager Charlie, the 4 venture to this fabled pass (which turns out to be real). Despite a treacherous trip, they make it to their destination. Upon arrival, the 4 get down to business, but the hunting trip turns into a nightmare for a myriad of reasons. Will anyone make it out alive?

Written by Gabe Plosky and Liam Sartre-Meloy and artfully directed by Gabe Plosky, “Butcher’s Crossing” is a visual psychological western that tackles a subject not often explored in westerns. In this case it’s the buffalo hide industry. Through the buffalo hunting trip plotline, Plotsky not only shows how the buffalo slaughter affected the minds of the characters (with Will becoming a hardened and changed man and Miller losing himself), but he also shows how this business venture collapsed and led to the near extinction of buffalo. The dark ending really drives home the traumatic cost of both the journey and the buffalo hunt itself. There are no happy endings here to say the least. 

As fascinating as the actual story may be, it is done in a rather repetitive manner. Plotsky attempts to mix it up with stylish shots and edits and some truly eye-popping location shooting, but he can only do so much. Perhaps there should have been more scenes in the middle act to create more tension between the characters or more scenes delving into the deteriorating minds of the characters. 

Nicolas Cage had a banner year with “Dream Scenario” and “Butcher’s Crossing.” Cage delivers a truly intense performance as Miller (the villain of the piece). He owns the screen and carries the movie as a whole. Fred Hechinger (Will) also deserves praise here as the fresh faced Will who soon discovers the harsh realities of the world.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.00:1 1080p. How does it look? The picturesque cinematography particularly shines in this stunning hi-def transfer.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? No complaints here. The 5.1 track does the job. 

No extras have been included.

December 30, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Butcher's Crossing Blu-ray Review, Butcher's Crossing Movie, Nicolas Cage, western