Jubal (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

Thank you for the great value on this vintage western movie. My dad truly enjoys watching the westerns from the 1940s and 50s. Takes them back to when he was a young man.

Forget the awful looking jacket and the non-descript film title. Jubal is a great Western. What do you want from a Western? Westerns are time machines, and you want to "feel" like you're in another place and time. Jubal does that, with great scenery of the Tetons and some other Wyoming locales (the Absoroka Range?) and a plausible looking frontier ranch. It is clearly not shot in the foothills above Los Angeles. The realism extends to the characters, who are engaging but not caricature, and who have jobs instead of just hanging around a saloon. The plot is not formulaic, and contains several different angles of conflict. It rings true to the human condition: jealousy, petty intrigue, honor, and friendship. There is someone to root for (a common lapse in more modern Westerns), an "everyman" with a sense of honor. The only oddity is a wagon train that doesn't seem to have a clear destination, but that is offset by a rare spectacle: a respectful depiction of religious people. As per the era in which it was made (1950s), the language is clean, the sexual tension doesn't rely on nudity. The antagonist (Glenn Ford) is conflicted, hence interesting. The acting is good (with Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, and Rod Steiger as supports for Glenn Ford). It is, all around, a very good western. Why Glenn Ford isn't remembered as a prominent Western star beats me, as he turned out more Westerns than Jimmy Stewart, who is no slouch in the Western arena. There is no part of the film that is "dated" (such as the hokey music in High Noon or the silly trench coats in Tombstone). If you don't like Jubal, why the heck not?

This was a really good western. Really good. Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine and Rod Steiger are topnotch actors. The story was exciting. Charles Bronson is always terrific! Ford plays a dimensional role. He has a very sentimental side to him. He always acted with an easy hand. I give this only four stars, however, because Criterion always makes a big deal about its taking over a film and repackaging it. This had subtitles and a unique scene finder, but not much else. The film was clear and colorful, but a bit too grainy for me. I like a slicker and brighter look. Hard to explain, but I know when it is there. Also, I thought there would be some insight on the actors and making of this film, but there was nothing on the video. There was a little booklet, however. I think Kino Lorber could have put this one out just as well. So, for Criterion, it was nothing special. I am glad I did not pay the Criterion price. Anyway, really good western, and well worth the watch.

A very moving story with a great cast. Surprise ending with a love story with lots of action and great cast..

GLEN AT HIS BEST

Must be honest, I have only heard of Jubal and never actually seeing it. That's sad when I am a big Glenn Ford fan. I am VERY thankful that the first time I viewed this wonderful film was on the gorgeous looking blu ray! I love this film more than my favorite 3:10 to Yuma (another beautiful Criterion blu ray) upon finished watching this one. Almost hated to see it end. Seems like the films from the '50s take their sweet little time to build up a beginning, middle and an abrupt ending. Seems to end fast! Wishing I had one of those 80 inch hi def TVs to view beautiful 'Scope movies like this one. I cannot recommend this one enough if you are a fan of great westerns with wonderful acting, writing and cinematography. They don't make movies like this one anymore. Get the blu ray and don't just settle for the DVD. You will not be disappointed.

One of my personal top 10 westerns, great performances all around, well written characters, and the small scale story is refreshing. Ernest Borgnine really shines as Shep, the affable but clueless rancher, whose positive and easygoing nature is corrupted by those scheming behind his back. Sadly this Criterion blu-ray includes no bonus features aside from a small booklet with an essay. I really wish these Delmer Daves releases would at least include a commentary, it looks great though.

'Jubal' is terrific; it is one of a handful of the best westerns ever made in my view along with "Unforgiven", "Lawman",and "Shane" coming to mind. Glenn ford is terrific as the soft spoken drifter looking for a home which he finds thru the kindness of Earnest Borgnine who is the most likeable Boss you'd ever meet. This new version from Criterion doesn't add anything significant to previous versions other than a nice 14 page booklet about the movie and hollywood westerns in general. If you have the previous version of Jubal on DVD this new one isn't worth selling to buy the Criterion version(like I did). This is a great, touching, film so I have no regrets with my purchase, but if your happy with the one you've got--this new DVD is no big improvement in case you were wondering.

Rare western movie in English with hard-coded French subs.

Jubal is directed by Delmer Daves and adapted by Daves and Russell S. Hughes from the Paul Wellman novel, Jubal Troop. It stars Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnine, Rod Steiger, Charles Bronson, Valerie French & Felicia Farr. David Raksin scores the music and Charles Lawton Jr. is the cinematographer. Out of Columbia Pictures it`s a CinemaScope/Technicolor production, and location for the shoot is Jackson Hole, The Grand Tetons, Wyoming, USA. Jubal Troop (Ford) is found exhausted out on the range and given shelter at a nearby ranch owned by Shep Horgan (Borgnine). Shep oversees Jubal`s recovery and offers him a job as part of his ranch team. This is met with objection by Shep`s mean foreman, Pinky (Steiger), but Shep is undeterred and Jubal goes on to prove his worth in the position. Shep and Jubal get on great, but trouble is brewing because Shep`s pretty Canadian wife, Mae (French), has taken quite a shine to Jubal. This further enrages Pinky, and a hornets nest is stirred, spelling trouble for practically everyone. Delmer Daves` (Dark Passage/Broken Arrow) Jubal is often likened to William Shakespeare`s Othello, that`s something that, whilst being flattering, is best ignored. For Jubal, and its makers, deserve credit in their own right for producing such a tight, tense, adult Western. It`s a film that`s driven by characters who are caught in a web of jealousy and suppressed emotions, with the underrated Daves bringing some psychological dimensions into the narrative. He`s also a director who knows that such a story benefits greatly by not including action and violence just for the sake of upping the tempo. He paces this film to precision, winding up the tension to breaking point, then to unleash all the pent up fury on the viewers, but even then he (correctly) chooses to keep some critical moments off the screen, gaining results far better than if stuff had actually been shown the audience (two shots in the finale are stupendously memorable). This griping human drama is played out in front of magnificent scenery, where Daves and Lawton Jr. (3:10 to Yuma/Comanche Station) utilize the CinemaScope and Technicolor facilities to their maximum potential. Filling the widescreen frame with majestic mountains,vibrant slanted forests and rolling grassy hills. The Grand Tetons location had previously been used in other notable Western movies, such as The Big Trail, The Big Sky and famously for George Stevens` Shane. While post Jubal it served a considerable purpose for Dances with Wolves. All of this grandeur for the eyes is boosted by Raksin`s (Laura/Fallen Angel) score, with gentle swirls for the tender Jubal/Naomi thread and rushes for the posse sequences, it`s an arrangement very at one with the mood and tempo of the story. The cast list oozes star power, and gets performances to match. Ford is a master at roles calling for underplayed intensity, and that`s what he gives Jubal Troop. Keeping the characters cards close to his chest in the beginning, Ford pitches it perfect as the emotionally bottled up drifter. Borgnine, a year after his Oscar win for Marty, is perfect foil to Ford`s calmness, he`s in turn big and boisterous, often crude, yet under the bluster is a sweet and honest man. And there in the middle of the three men is Steiger, bringing the method. Pinky is brooding, devious and one pulse beat away from being psychotic, but Steiger, with a menacing drawl flowing out of his mouth, is creepily mannered. Steiger and Daves clashed other how to play Pinky, the director wanting something more akin to Ford`s serene like role play, but Steiger wanted it played bitter and coiled spring like; the actor getting his way when producer William Fadiman sided with him. Valerie French (Decision at Sundown) looks beautiful in Technicolor, and in spite of an accent problem, does a neat line in how to play a smoldering fuse in a box of fire crackers. Felicia Farr (The Last Wagon) is the polar opposite, religiously comely and virginal, she`s a touch underused but the play off with French impacts well in the story. Key support goes to Charles Bronson (The Magnificent Seven) as loyal friend to Jubal, Reb. Played with laid back machismo, it`s something of what would become the trademark Bronson performance. Other notables in the support cast are the always value for money Noah Beery Jr. (Wagons West), John Dierkes (The Hanging Tree) and Jack Elam (The Man From Laramie). Damn fine film that`s worthy of being sought out by those interested in the best of the 50s slew of Adult Westerns. 8.5/10

グレンフォードの西部劇はジョンウエインの作西部劇と比べると、作品数は少ないが良い作品が多いと思う。ジョンウエインのほうがハードな作風なのに対し、グレンフォードのほうはやや控えめでソフトな感じがする。 商品の梱包について一言。商品を保護するための厚紙を入れるのは良いけど、商品より大きすぎると郵便受けの投入口の途中で引っかかって郵便物がはみ出してしまうので、保護するための厚紙は商品の大きさにもっと合うようにしたほうが良い。

Es un estupendo producto, contiene: 1 disco dvd Audio original en inglés DTS-HD 2.0 stereo Doblaje al castellano Subtitulos en español Region 2 Widescreen es muy recomendable para la colección, el envío como siempre excelente, gracias

The restoration of this great western is amazing! I have had the DVD for years, and always enjoyed it, because it is such a nice story, with a great cast. But this Blu-Ray is like seeing the movie for the first time!!