Soldier Blue [DVD]

After all the controversy about the censoring of “Soldier Blue” I purchased this German issue by Kinowelt in anticipation that, if not complete, it wouldn’t be far off. It looks to contain all the images that I remember seeing in the film’s initial UK cinema release back in 1970, and some of the more controversial ones in the final skirmish seem held very slightly longer (and are therefore more revealing), not that it makes much difference to the overall effect – it was very harrowing originally, causing quite a stir in the cinema from several members of the audience disturbed by the unfolding horror. On the Blu-ray some of the graphic tableaux featuring the aftermath are very brief, almost subliminal, and I can’t recollect whether they were originally presented that way or not, but it’s all powerful stuff. There’s one shot early in the narrative that I suspect is shown from an alternative viewpoint from what I recall seeing in the cinema when it produced a shock-wave of gasps but, if that is so, it’s no less explicit here, just that it would probably no longer be considered extreme because audiences have been exposed to so much of its ilk in recent times. Such material was either much truncated or totally excised in the British television presentations that I have watched. As I haven’t seen any other versions of the film, I am not qualified to elaborate further.The principal male character comes across as an extraordinarily simple person for a soldier, in contrast to the feisty female he teams up with to survive whatever adversities the Wild West thrusts upon them when circumstances cast them adrift in the wilderness. Anticipations of what’s to come are spelt out rather too obviously perhaps for an educated audience, and the style of background music is almost painfully dated at times. But the story holds up well, and although there’s lots of talk, there is also plenty of action.The Blu-ray presentation is absolutely first rate. The pictures are pin-sharp, showing no obvious aberrations for a film nearly 50 years old, and the audio, despite being in original mono, is surprisingly clean and clear – very satisfying. The only criticisms of the visuals perhaps are that blood is shown unnaturally gaudy and splodgy, falsifying reality at inopportune moments, and some of the darker scenes seem unnecessarily over-lit compared with how subtly they would be handled nowadays. On the other hand the scenery is deceptively gorgeous and inviting. Perhaps the rattlesnake skulking under an animal carcass was one of the few lucky survivors.Overall, a significant piece of cinema history. A good yarn with a staggeringly effective finale, even if things falter occasionally en route. Anyone preferring to see films in an unexpurgated state probably won’t be disappointed by this version. The Blu-ray edition does not contain any “extras”, but in the light of much published information about the film, that probably doesn’t matter.

first caught this film late one night way back in around 2002 when the BBC used to show great old films after 10pm or so. I used to own a VHS copy having seen it. It has not been since 18 years ago or more that I finally re-watched it last night and watched it again this evening. I've even brought a dvd copy.Soldier Blue is a brilliant film with a brilliant soundtrack by Roy Budd. both woefully forgotten as a film, unfairly forgotten as a brilliant film composer whenever Classic FM continually plug John Williams I grow in my hatred of that man's overrated tripe when compared to the likes of Budd, Michael J Lewis or John Barry. Soldier Blue's climax isn't exploitation, nor is it horrific. Candice Bergen shines and Peter Strauss perfectly captures a misguided, Puritanical man who really should not be a Soldier. What Soldier Blue truly conveys is the fact this was based on an extremely shameful, extremely bloody event that actually occurred in American history. To my mind, that is the real horror - that this was true. Soldier Blue was a perfect allegory for the Vietnam War, at its height in 1970 when this film was originally released in cinemas. The film was made in 1969 and the ending likens itself to the My Lai Massacre in 1968 in Vietnam. Some say this film is a load of tripe - however, even though it was not a successful film in America, due to the Vietnam War still ongoing, it was a great success in both the UK and Europe - becoming the third most popular film in the UK when it was released in 1971. Both Soldier Blue, the My Lai or Songmy Massacre of 1968 quite correctly present the dark side of American History - and explains why America is such a painful, divided place today. However, much could be said of Britain's Colonial Past too. Essentially, films like these are no longer made, which is a shame. However, Soldier Blue being a true story, is the truly crying shame and certainly worth watching - the gentle romance, sweeping landscapes, the humour, the wonderful soundtrack all lull the viewer into as false sense of optimism only for this to be brutally jarred out of you when the film reaches its shameful climax. 10/10.

May be a dated movie but a true classic that can be watched over and over.

Candice Bergen once said that Soldier Blue was her worst film. No doubt this was said in reponse to its controversial nature and by no means exemplifies the worst of Ms Bergen's acting talents. Candice Bergen made another horrifically tasteless violent western the following year- The Hunting Party. Ms Bergen was one of many detractors who would come to chorus what is now the usually held opinion of this under rated semi-classic. Based on and differing wildly from Theodore V. Olsen's book 'Arrow in the Sun' it is not surprising, given the era of its production, that the film should climax with a bloody massacre and present the horrors in unflinching detail. But, criticised as it is, Soldier Blue effectively weaves from adventure to romance to horror without ever losing the power to entertain, to shock, to make you feel and to leave you thinking. This notoriously violent 'western' comes to DVD at last in a beautiful 2.35:1 presentation but lamentably (and strangely - considering the now emphasis on film restoration) is still missing the 'rape scene' in which an Indian woman has her breast cut off (included in the original Magnetic Video VHS release). A trailer is the only extra.

Bought for my father’s Christmas present as he always talked about this film and what they did during the war. He loves it I’ve never seen it