Blu-ray Review: Captain Apache

 

Captain Apache has just made it's Blu-ray debut courtesy of Kino Lorber Studio Classics.  After years of only being able to view this movie from poor quality pan and scan public domain prints, and only recently discovering a full widescreen DVD in the UK (reviewed here), Captain Apache in HD is a sight to behold.  That being said it doesn't make the movie any better.

 

To me Captain Apache represents a shift in LVC's career that set the course for the rest of the 1970's.  After achieving massive stardom in Europe in the mid to late 60's, LVC elected (like Clint Eastwood before him), to re-enter the world of US or "Hollywood" productions.  These projects included El Condor (while shot in Spain, this was a US production), and Barquero (shot in the US).  While neither of these films were blockbuster hits, for whatever reason LVC elected to return to Europe to reenter the familiar land of the Spaghetti or Euro Western.  The result was the one two punch of Captain Apache and Bad Man's River.  A final Hollywood attempt was made with 1972's The Magnificent Seven Ride!, but by that point it was clear his preference to remain in Europe.

 

Anyway, here we are in 2015, with a Blu-ray release of Captain Apache!

 

Kino Lorber, who primarily releases MGM catalog titles (such as Sabata and Barquero), has obtained HD US prints of both Captain Apache and Bad Man's River, which to me was surprising as neither have ever been available in high definition anywhere.

 

 

Main Menu

 

 

VIDEO:

 

The overall image is very nice, which is a little shocking as I am not used to this film ever actually looking good.  The picture is sharp, colors are strong, film grain is present. 

 

Screencaps below (click to enlarge) -

  

 

 

The image quality is much better than the previously reviewed widescreen DVD version on the market.  More image is present now in the widescreen frame.

 

Click images below to see the improvement-

 

Blu-ray

DVD

 

 

 

AUDIO:

 

English 2.0.  No other languages available.  No subtitles.  Don't expect a large dynamic improvement over how you have heard this movie before.

 

 

EXTRAS:

• Trailers for Sabata and Barquero

 

 

Overall this is the definitive presentation of Captain Apache.  Fortunately it can be had for around $11, so it is a welcome addition to the LVC Blu-ray shelf. 

 

THE GOOD:

• Cheap
• Great picture quality

THE BAD:

• No film specific extras

 

Full stats and ordering info- 

 

• Region: A
• Language: English
• Subtitles: NONE
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Kino Lorber
• Run Time: 94 minutes (1:33:55)

 

Captain Apache (1971) [Blu-ray]