BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA (1974) (ENCORE EDITION)
(BLU-RAY)
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Warren
Oates, Isela Vega, Gig Young, Robert Webber, Emilio Fernandez, Kris
Kristofferson, Helmut Dantine
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Directed by one of the greatest directors of all time. A
master talent that could create some of the finest examples of gritty
entertainment. Sam Peckinpah really needs no introduction to any true fan of
movie entertainment. This is the second time Twilight Time has released this on
Special Edition Blu-ray. This is an Encore Edition. Sometimes Twilight Time
releases a popular film once again after it sells out so that other diehard
film fans can get it, that did not get it the first time. Just like the first
time this is a priceless example of how to treat a film with a lovely new high
definition transfer. The movie has never looked any better.
This is a film that you would expect from the master of
gritty entertainment. It’s a violent flick that only Peckinpah could do, and
that’s the beauty of it. Starring the one and only Warren Oates, who to me was a
true actor that owned and created persona's in his films like no other. Oates to
me was an actor who never got the stardom, or house hold name reality that he deserved.
He was a true bad ass character that left lingering examples of a no holds bar
style of performance, and that is what makes him all the more dynamic to
remember. Sadly, he died way to soon, 53 years old was a true shame. I highly
recommend anyone who has not adventured into seeking out films that Warren
Oates starred in, should do so. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia is a prime
example of the wonderment of this actor. I also highly recommend one of my
personal favorites 1973’s Dillinger. No matter the film it’s always a treat to
watch Oates perform.
Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia is a cult action film
that I often return to. Now one can return to it with the beauty of High
Definition. Twilight Time has done it again as they always do in high quality
transfer and restoration. I always tend to praise this company for the simple fact they know what fans want, and plus they know how to treat a film and give
it to the masses of fans.
Also starring the very beautiful and sexy Isela Vega. Still
acting strong today in both TV and feature film. She starred in one of my
favorite Mexican drama films, 1977’s The Black Widow. Bring me the Head of
Alfredo Garcia also stars one of the greatest character actors of all time, the
one and only Robert Webber. Who also died at a very young age of 64. He was a
unique and different style of character actor, because he played anything. He
was not just a bad guy, or a good guy, he was everything in-between. Acting in
over 140 projects of film and TV, he truly left his mark in Hollywood, and seeing
him again in Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia is always a treat. Also
starring Gig Young, Helmut Dantine both equally brilliant actors that sadly
both died at young ages.
Dantine was a true favorite of mine. I love watching
his older films as a Nazi bad guy or soldier. Many will know him from 1942’s
Mrs. Miniver. He was a part of so many wonderful films such as 1956’s War and
Peace, 1943’s Edge of Darkness, 1943’s Watch the Rhine, 1944’s Passage to
Marseille, 1945’s Hotel Berlin. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia also stars
Kris Kristofferson and the one and only Spanish actor Emilio Fernandez.
Fernandez was a true character in Mexican cinema. Most always a villain or some
type of violent persona. He developed a reality around his characters that
still shine today, even long after his death. So many characters and so many
memorable moments of this unique one of a kind actor that should always be
remembered. It's always Priceless seeing him in Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.
The plot to the film is as always a dynamic story that
Peckinpah films were about. You are introduced to a young pregnant teenage
Teresa. Who happens to be the daughter of El Jefe a very powerful Boss. There
he summons his daughter. He demands to know the father of the child. She
refuses but under pain and violence, she states the father is Alfredo Garcia.
El Jefe is bitter, angered and infuriated. Alfredo Garcia was his right hand
man. Now El Jefe offers a one-million-dollar reward to whoever brings him the
Head of Alfredo Garcia.
This is a wild wonderful, violent trip. A true Cult film
that grows on you every time you watch it over and over again. Now you can view
this cult film on a wonderful high class Blu-ray, brought out to all the movie
lovers, by one of the best companies, Twilight Time.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I have seen this film many times, both, VHS, DVD and
Television, but this Blu-ray is fantastic. The audio is spot on. Sound quality
is crisp. The video is vibrant and works. There is a gritty nature to this film
that creates a grindhouse style film buzz. The audio and video works in so many
ways and Twilight Time tends to master this reality at its best.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
1974 / Color
Extras:
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Isolated Score Track: The all-important isolated score track
that most all these Twilight Time Blu-ray’s come with. The man behind this
music needs no introduction, the one and only Jerry Fielding. He has done
countless important pieces of cinema. The Peckinpah masterpiece, The Wild
Bunch, and also Peckinpah’s great, Straw Dogs. Not only was he a Jazz master,
but he was a brilliant, and flawless composer of music. Sadly, he was one of
those blacklisted for many years during the crazy witch hunts of Communist red
scare. Thankfully after many years of this foolishness, he returned,
mastering many great pieces of cinema, both great and small. He was nominated
for 3 Academy Awards which he should have won all three. One for The Wild
Bunch, which needs no explanation. He should have won for Straw Dogs, and the
amazing The Outlaw Josey Wales. He did however receive an Emmy Award in 1980
for Outstanding Achievement. He deserved so many awards for his expertise, and
flawless beauty in music. This special feature was a lovely listen to. Twilight
Time honored this master with this special feature.
You get three different commentaries, which is a total plus
for anyone who loves the history, info and aspects of a film. This time around
you get three different examples by those involved with the film and also
wonderful film historians. I love listening to anyone who has a wonderful
knowledge of the film at hand. It gives a total experience in learning and
educating oneself on film. First Audio Commentary is with Assistant to the Director Katy
Haber, and Film Historians Paul Seydor and Nick Redman. The Second Audio Commentary is with
Writer-Producer Gordon T. Dawson and Film Historian Nick Redman. The third Audio
Commentary is with Film Historians Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons, David Weddle, and
Nick Redman
Passion & Poetry: Sam’s Favorite Film. This is a little
over 55 minutes. A documentary created by Mike Siegel. This doc. Showcases many
wonderful interviews and a making of style doc. On the film.
A Writer’s Journey: Garner Simmons with Sam Peckinpah in
Mexico. A runtime of a little over 25 minutes. A great feature that
showcases writer Garner Simmons contacting Sam to write his biography. Little
did Simmons know he would be invited along on the Alfredo Garcia filming.
Promoting Alfredo Garcia. Run time of almost 6 minutes. This
showcases posters and advertisement promoting the film.
6 TV Spots
Original Theatrical Trailer
Overall:
Another top quality Blu-ray. Another must own experience by
Twilight Time. Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia is a perfect Blu-ray with a
vast array of important extras. I highly recommended this Blu-ray. A perfect
addition to any movie lover's collection.
INFO:
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the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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