Review of Hallelujah Trail, The

Introduction

During the 1960`s, there was a concerted effort to subvert the whole Western genre with a succession of light- or comic- westerns. There were movies like "Four for Texas", the James Garner "Support Your Local..." pictures (Sheriff and Gunslinger), "Carry On Cowboy" of course, and latterly "Blazing Saddles". With the exception of "Blazing Saddles", few were commercial successes. John Sturges` 1965 roadshow spectacular "The Hallelujah Trail" was one of the most epic of the era. Starring Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Brian Keith and Jim Hutton, the movie was massive in scope and length (149 minutes, although it was originally released at 167 minutes), but ultimately became a Sunday afternoon favourite in an appalling pan and scan version that made a mockery of Robert Surtees` glorious Ultra Panavision 70 photography.

Burt Lancaster struggles to keep control of a desperately stupid situation as temperance marchers attempt to intercept a cargo of forty wagons of whiskey destined for the miners of Denver. He has to guard the whiskey from the temperance marchers, the free Denver militia who have come out to escort the precious cargo (and who will drink it at the earliest opportunity), and of course the entire Sioux nation who would like the crazy water for themselves. Lee Remick plays Cora Templeton Massingale, leader of the temperance marchers and ultimately the Colonel`s romantic interest.

Standout performances are Donald Pleasance as "Oracle" Jones, the guide for the Denver militiamen who is blessed with visions (whenever he drinks half-a-bottle of whiskey); and Martin Landau as Chief Walks-Stooped-Over.

Video

Time has not been kind to this movie. In spite of full digital remastering, the print quality varies at times from excellent to poor. There is an amount of wear and tear about the image, and some lab damage around the two-hour mark. Unfortunately, "The Hallelujah Trail" isn`t the sort of movie that studios lavish massive resources on the restoration of. Having said that, this remastering is the best that could be done with the source material. With the exception of a few scenes where damage is more evident, this release presents the movie at its best since its original release. Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, Rober Surtees` Ultra Panavision cinematography is reproduced in excellent contrast and brilliant colour without any digital artefacts. Grain is non-existent and the level of detail in the scenic shots is nothing short of breathtaking.

Audio

MGM has done a truly remarkable DD5.1 mix of the original multitrack stereo soundtrack. It results in a wonderfully rich, wide soundstage across the front speakers. The rear speakers and LFE aren`t used to any great extent, but when they are used it is to great effect.

Elmer Bernstein`s catchy score is one of his best, and is featured in the overture, intermission and exit reels which are included in the presentation for the first time. This is similar to other releases of the era, such as "The Great Race" (R1), "It`s A Mad, Mad, World", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" etc. You should be aware that these music tracks were intended to play while the audience entered the theatre, during the intermission and at the end with the house lights up. The film included black leader carrying the soundtrack, so there`s no image accompanying the music. This means that after the initial United Artists logo there`s three-and-a-half minutes of overture with nothing on screen, so don`t worry there`s nothing wrong with the disc at that point.

All five spoken languages are provided in DD5.1, and even the title track is sung in the appropriate language.

Features

Extras provided are minimal. There are full subtitles in all languages (well done, MGM) and a theatrical trailer which is in atrocious condition.

Conclusion

This is a magnificent presentation of an old favourite, in spite of the lack of extras and the odd bits of print damage. Anybody who is used to the old tv presentation will find this version a real eye-opener. Aficionadoes of the epic-comedies of the `sixties will love this trip down memory lane. I know I`d forgotten just how much fun it was.