Clint Eastwood’s first American western after the success of Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy, Hang ‘Em High was directed by Ted Post, who had worked with Clint on the television series Rawhide. Despite a cast that includes Dennis Hopper, L.Q. Jones, Alan Hale Jr., Bruce Dern, Pat Hingle, and Inger Stevens among others, Hang ‘Em High is often overlooked in Clint Eastwood’s filmography, and Westerns in general. However, it was praised by critics, and a hit at the box office.
A departure from the anti-hero he played in the Leone films, Clint brings a sense of humanity to his portrayal of Jed Cooper, a man apprehended by a posse who question his ownership of a herd of cattle. The man who owned them before, is found dead; Cooper is labeled a murderer and a thief. Ignoring his pleas of innocence, the posse leaves him to hang. He is rescued by marshal Dave Bliss (Ben Johnson) and declared innocent by judge Adam Fenton (Pat Hingle). The lawmen offer Cooper a job as a federal marshal, to bring down crooks across Oklahoma. Jed sees this as a chance to take down the eight men who did him wrong. Even as judge Fenton declares Jed one of the finest lawmen that’s ever worked for him, Jed is increasingly bothered by Fenton’s swift brand of justice. Will these two men continue as a team, or become foes?
Bringing an icy cold demeanor to the role, Eastwood excels at presenting Jeb as an average man; one who hurts and suffers like the rest of us. Even after he’s shot, Jeb won’t stop coming for justice. While the story is basically paint-by-the numbers material, Eastwood makes us care about his character in a way that makes everything he does seem important.
Admittedly, the script by Leonard Freeman and Mel Goldberg is a bit disjointed, with various characters coming in and out, some adding little to the story. Even so, it’s fun to see all the familiar faces that litter the cast. The film ends on a surprisingly poignant note, without giving Jeb closure. This is not a John Wayne movie with a clear winner, which must have been somewhat unsettling for 1968 audiences.
A new 4K transfer from the original camera negative, with HDR and Dolby Vision, the results are a significant upgrade from previous MGM Blu-ray release. Sporting an image largelyfree of scratches or other digital anomalies, detail is strong throughout. Delineation and color reproduction are significantly better, resulting in a more pleasant viewing experience. Primary colors shine, and blacks are inky. I noticed a couple of brief blemishes, but nothing that should interfere with the viewing experience.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. track suits the film well. Dominic Frontiere’s score is a highlight, often enveloping the soundfield. Effects are well balanced throughout, never interfering with vocals. Dialogue is clean, clear, and concise.
English subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell
- Audio Commentary by Film Historians Lem Dobbs and Nick Redman
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Filmmaker/Historian Steve Mitchell
- Audio Commentary by Film Historians Lem Dobbs and Nick Redman
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
- Theatrical Trailer
