Ramrod [Region 2] [import]

This review is for the ARROW BLURAY released 2018. An excellent transfer. Very good picture (B/W Ratio 1.37:1 looks like 4.3 but just maybe a bit larger???), good sound and optional English Subtitles (seen better, but acceptable). Loads of extras, commentaries and documentaries (not seen by me). I have to acknowledge that I am a bit of a minority here, as I find the film depressing and just a bit too "noir" (shades of "Blood on the Moon and "Pursued"), but I also acknowledge that it's a damn well made film - plenty of plot, action and gunfights and fist fights - (Joel and Lloyd Bridges scrap particularly realistic). On a very few occasions I find myself disagreeing with a much respected fellow reviewer (sorry Bob) - I thought both Lake (who I love) and Arleen Whelan miscast, but hey... The support cast is good - Preston Foster as Ivey radiates aggression and menace, his gang includes Ray Teal, Hal Talaiferro, Mike Ragan and Wally Cassel as a vicious strongarm aid to Foster. The scenery and photography is pretty breathtaking, but what really stopped 5 stars was the scene (minor spoiler) where Foster and his gang hunt Don Defore (also very good). This scene seems interminable. Andre, what were you thinking? Western fans who don't already own a copy or know the film should definitley try this ARROW BLURAY. I just wish I could have enjoyed it just a little bit more than I did.

This is a noir western and the mixture is quite interesting, the feud between Connie Dickason and his father who supports Frank Ivey's attempt to marry Connie and get rid of her fiancé is just a clever way to conceal the real theme of the movie, the relationship between males and females. On one side Connie who hires the alcoholic Dave Nash as a ramrod for her ranch just inherited from her fiancé, on the other side the dressmaker Rose Leland who cares for Nash and his friend Bill Schell, everyone is charmed by Connie, including Schell, her greed and thirst for revenge cause some deaths, even if I think she is unaware of this possibility, Nash cares for Rose and possibly knows she is in love with him but apparently he plans to settle down with Connie until he finds out that...About the package: the video is not perfect because of some light scratches now and then but this movie is so unique and what about the great extras? Arrow Video? Thumbs up!

A very good 40's black and white western with excellent direction and cinematography. McCrea is great, as usual, 'tho his voice sounds a tad thin in this film. Early on in the film Veronica Lake has her hair down and looks stunning, alas; for the rest of the movie it's mainly up - but hey - can't have everything. Ramrod kind of sags a little towards the end, I'm not sure why - maybe the night time scene as three gunfighters move in on one of the main characters tends to drag on a little too long. 'Tho there is no escaping the moodiness and tenseness of this long scene. All in all a fine western that can only have come from the start of the golden age. Buy it - and enjoy!

Great film, with a clever, engaging script.The characters are interesting, with many dimensions, and the actors do them justice.In my opinion, this is a hidden gem !The bluray is excellent, with great insights in the bonuses. André De Toth shines in the interview : he has great stories to tell, and is very discreet about his previous wife - none other than Veronica Lake !

This is really a different 'feeling' Western. I may not have caught the vibe of it without reading Critic Reviews that pointed out that this is really a Film Noir dressed up as a Western. After watching it numerous times, I agree.For it's time, it is really an accurate portrayal of brutalities that occur everyday in life, especially in today's tumultuous times. The audio/video quality is just superb and striking use of chiaroscuro through out. Excellent night scenes.The screenplay, acting, sets, costuming, framing are spot on.Enjoy!

too many freezes. had to purchase a second copy....I should have been refunded for the 1st.

Andre de Toth's dark western of 1947 is an overlooked masterpiece. A cast headed by Joel McCrea and DeToth's then wife Veronica Lake make for 95 mins of exciting entertainment. Nice print too. For those fans of Detoth's work with Randolph Scott at Warners in the Fifties, this is a must.

I enjoyed seeing it, hope they get more of her films released, I am not sure why so few available.