This “Limited Edition” Blu-ray is currently available from Arrow Video.
In addition to their recent run of cult titles and Hong Kong action cinema, Arrow Video has been starting a habit of putting out classic black and white pictures like Desperate Hours and The Scarface Mob. This is a welcome trend, with the latest being a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray of the western The Tin Star. Despite being a relatively low-budget affair, the movie boasts an engaging story with elements still relevant to today’s audiences, as well as impressive photography and plenty of familiar faces in front of the camera. It’s another winning release that should draw the movie some new admirers.
The story begins with bounty hunter Morg Hickman (Henry Fonda from Once Upon a Time in the West) riding into a small town with the body of a criminal. He visits young, newly appointed sheriff Ben Owens (Anthony Perkins, known to genre fans as the lead in Psycho) to collect his cash reward. While the lawman is happy to set up payment, those within the town aren’t impressed. In fact, everyone from the mayor to locals demand that Hickman leave as soon as possible. The bounty hunter makes it clear that he hates the town and will be happy to move on when he is paid. Citizens aren’t any more impressed with the newly appointed Owens, whom they consider milquetoast. The biggest resident troublemaker is bully Bart Bogardus (Neville Brand). he would like nothing more than to have the law look the other way while he runs things himself.
Eventually, Hickman finds a place to stay with outcast Nona Mayfield (Betsy Palmer, who played the mother of Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th) and her son Kip (Michel Ray). He takes a shine to the family because they remind him of his deceased wife and son. The pair have also been ostracized by Bogardus and the racist locals because Kip’s father was Native American.
When Owens learns that Hickman was once an actual sheriff, he asks for training and assistance so that he can prove to the townspeople. The bounty hunter reluctantly relents and the pair are immediately put under pressure when town doctor Joe McCord (John McIntire) is shot by the McGaffey Brothers (Peter Baldwin and Lee Van Cleef of Escape from New York and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly fame). Bogardus forms a lynch mob to hunt them down and hang them, while the leads race to capture the criminals and have them stand trial.
The picture is very tightly written and has no fat on its bones. It’s just over 90 minutes and never lags as outsiders Owens and Hickman try to find a future for themselves (albeit in different ways). While the plot is relatively familiar, the story features just enough wrinkles and unusual elements to distinguish.
As expected, Fonda is an incredible screen presence. He doesn’t speak a lot, sharing his internal turmoil through glances while speaking with the widow Mayfield. His disdain for the nasty locals is also evident in his expression. And Perkins is memorable as Owens. The young man initially seems uncertain of how to lead the town, but begins to grow in confidence as Hickman gives him pointers.
Interestingly enough, much of the advice from the bounty hunter is about dealing with threats by reading aggressive men and psychologically subduing them to get the upper hand. A major theme is how horribly racist the citizens are and the mob mentality they possess. It’s used to great effect during the climax, when Hickman and Owens silently wait in the county jail while Bogardus drinks with followers and riles them up to make their final charge. These and other unusual touches help raise the quality of the picture.
It’s a strong western and one that surprised critics and the public upon its initial release. The film ultimately earned an Academy Award nomination for its screenplay and it is easy to see why, given the fact that the story is so well constructed.
As for the picture, I’ll be honest. Sometimes when a film is released on the format and doesn’t feature a new restoration, I assume that the image quality isn’t going to be exceptional. The release of The Tin Star from Arrow Video completely smashes this preconceived notion. I watched it on a 4K Ultra HD player that upconverts Blu-rays and the results were jaw-dropping. The picture was shot in deep focus and presents so much foreground and background detail with crystal clarity that it wowed me.
Admittedly, this may have to do with the fact that the film was shot in VistaVision (a process from the era in which the negative film image was larger and captured more information). Whatever the case, the movie looks phenomenal and the pictures shown here simply don’t do the disc justice. Every pore and crease on all the actor’s faces is visible. The town features wonderful vistas of standing trees in the middle of lanes which is used to great effect during the climax. The interior sets are interesting and filled with great detail and interesting characteristics. There’s an incredible-looking raid on a farmhouse involving flames that is stunningly crisp. And there are numerous impressive shots of Owens in the sheriff’s office with individuals looking inwards from the streets.
Additionally, this disc features a few bonuses. One is a film historian commentary track that provides some good background on the production and cast. As expected, there are little bios of just about everyone in the cast and crew. Facts about the life of director Anthony Mann (Winchester ‘73, The Far Country, El Cid) are particularly interesting, as he had a very strange childhood. There are also notes about the town backdrop which was a famous studio lot street. Amusingly, a mountain in the background was actually a façade hiding the Disney office buildings not far beyond the set.
And there is an excellent appreciation of the film by critic Neil Sinyard. He gives more background information about the project, Mann’s other westerns, and also offers some interesting things to consider. In fact, he notes the story similarities to High Noon, and while he admits that it seemingly has a happy ending, there is a dark undercurrent. Some of one of the character’s actions can be interpreted as moves rather than selflessly heroic acts. After all is said and done, the majority of townspeople don’t seem repentant or changed in any way. The bounty hunter makes a fresh start and gets out of town, but Owen’s recent victory doesn’t exactly suggest that locals or life in the town will be any easier.
Additionally, score composer Elmer Bernstein’s son Peter Bernstein (who is a jazz guitarist and himself an authority on music) sits down for a lengthy interview about his father. He details what it was like living with him, as well as his parent’s creative process and notes an underrated score or two from his dad that deserves more credit. The stories are fantastic to listen to and it’s a great extra.
This disc also includes a trailer and a ton of image galleries for the feature.
The Tin Star isn’t the most famous western in the world, but it is a worthy effort that deserves much more credit for its black and white cinematography than it has ever received. This Blu-ray includes a wonderful transfer that really highlights the photography and also comes with enlightening bonuses that add plenty of interesting tidbits on the production. If you like classic shoot-‘em-ups, this release is worth checking out.