Cheyenne: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review
“Cheyenne” is a respectable western series.
“Cheyenne” is a 1955 WB western television series that ran 7 seasons. The post-Civil War series (which went by other titles including “The Cheyenne Show”) revolves around a cowboy named Cheyenne Bodie who wanders around the U.S. and Mexico taking on odd jobs, helping people, and getting caught up into dangerous situations (such as feuds and conflicts). Throughout the series, plots involve outlaws, settlers, cattle rustlers, gold, various towns, justice, rescues, Native American tribes, false murder or crime charges, bandits, killers, protecting a baby, becoming a Deputy (multiple times), friends, missions, the town he grew up in, train robbers, Army deserters, bank robbers, and prisoners. Cheyenne also takes on various jobs including Army scout (and other Army jobs), cattle drive, foreman, fur trapping, wagon train, escorting people, Marshal and Sheriff. The series also features a noteworthy crossover episode titled “Duel At Judas Basin” which contained the characters Sugarfoot and Bronco who both had their own series.
Developed by Roy Huggins, “Cheyenne” is a fairly routine episodic western series that certainly adhered to a formula with Cheyenne drifting from town to town. Much of the plots are recycled with Cheyenne taking on a few of the same jobs on more than one occasion or Cheyenne becoming embroiled in similar conflicts (he often bears witness to murder or is blamed for a crime). It would have been nice to see the series dip more into an ongoing story, but we don’t really get much of that. Not only are there canonical issues about Cheyenne’s past, but the series doesn’t even provide a proper ending. Much like a lot of early day original TV series, the show is also a bit on the dry side when gunfighting action isn’t on screen.
Perhaps the reason “Cheyenne” lasted as long as it did was due to star Clint Walker. He may not be the best of actors and can be quite stiff at times, but he’s rugged, tall, likable, tough, and surely attracted viewers with his good looks. However one may feel about the series as a whole, the character of Cheyenne does make for a good lead character. He is observant, kind, competent, and has strong morals and character. It’s easy to see why viewers of the time wanted to embark on weekly adventures with him. You want to see where he’ll go and what job he will take on next. In typical classic TV fashion, the series is also loaded with guest stars like James Garner, Dennis Hopper, George Kennedy and so much more. Heck, there’s even some guest stars who reappear as different characters (another common thing back in the day).
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.33:1 1080p. How does it look? Remastered from 4K scans of the original camera negative, this B&W series gets a glorious new restoration courtesy of Warner Archive. The image quality is noticeably sharper and it maintains its original grain. WA continues to knock it out of the park with these classic TV releases. Let’s hope they keep pumping out more.
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The episodes feature a clean 2.0 track through and through. The action is especially noteworthy.
The lone extra is “The Lonely Gunfighter: The Legacy Of Cheyenne” which is an archival 14 minute interview with Clint Walker who talks about the character and how it mirrored his own life, his life, behind-the-scenes stories and more.
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