Blu-ray Review: “The Hunter” (1980)

“The Hunter” (1980)

Action

Running Time: 97 minutes

Written by: Ted Leighton and Peter Hyams

Directed by: Buzz Kulik

Featuring: Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Kathryn Harrold, LeVar Burton and Ben Johnson

Ralph ‘Papa’ Thorson: “I’m getting too old for this shit.”

Critical Commentary

“The Hunter” is a crime thriller film directed by Buzz Kulik and starring Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, and Kathryn Harrold. The film is based on the novel “The Master Sniper” by author Hunter Smith. The story follows Ralph “Papa” Thorson (played by McQueen), a modern-day bounty hunter who is hired by bail bondsmen to track down and capture fugitives who have skipped bail. Thorson is a tough and skilled hunter, but he is also a complex and flawed character with a troubled personal life. He is on the trail of a notorious thief named Jack Renda (played by Wallach) who is wanted for a series of robberies.

“The Hunter” is a gritty and realistic film that showcases Steve McQueen’s acting range as he portrays a character that is both tough and vulnerable. The film is also notable for its impressive action sequences and thrilling chase scenes. Eli Wallach is excellent as the wily and unpredictable Renda, and he provides a formidable opponent for McQueen’s Thorson.

The film’s portrayal of the life of a bounty hunter is well researched and believable, and the audience is drawn into the dangerous and unpredictable world of fugitive hunting. The plot is well-paced and keeps the audience engaged from start to finish, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

“The Hunter” is a classic crime thriller that features a strong performance by Steve McQueen and an engaging story that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. If you enjoy action-packed films with complex characters and gripping plotlines, then “The Hunter” is definitely worth watching.

The film also features a great supporting cast, including Kathryn Harrold as Dotty, Thorson’s love interest, and Ben Johnson as Sheriff Strong, Thorson’s friend and mentor. They both deliver solid performances and add depth to the story. “The Hunter” is also notable for its realistic portrayal of violence and its consequences. The film doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the bounty hunting profession, and the violence depicted is both graphic and unsettling. However, this violence is always contextualized within the story and serves a purpose in advancing the plot and developing the characters.

“The Hunter” is a classic crime thriller that delivers great performances, thrilling action, and a compelling story. It is a must-see for fans of Steve McQueen and for anyone who enjoys a good action movie with a complex and interesting protagonist. Despite being released over 40 years ago, “The Hunter” still holds up today and is a testament to the enduring appeal of well-crafted, character-driven thrillers.

Additionally, the film also explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the toll that the bounty hunting profession takes on the personal lives of those who practice it. It provides a thought-provoking commentary on the morality of pursuing justice for profit, and the toll that this kind of work can take on one’s psyche.

The cinematography in “The Hunter” is also worth noting, with sweeping landscapes and detailed close-ups that help to immerse the viewer in the film’s gritty and dangerous world. The score, composed by Michel Legrand, is another standout aspect of the film, adding tension and suspense to the already gripping narrative. “The Hunter” is a classic crime thriller that still holds up today, thanks to its great performances, engaging story, and thought-provoking themes. It is a must-watch for fans of the genre, and a great example of how well-crafted action films can still resonate with audiences decades after their initial release.

One of the strengths of “The Hunter” is its ability to balance action with character development. Despite the film’s many thrilling chase scenes and shootouts, the audience never loses sight of the complex and flawed protagonist at the center of the story. Steve McQueen delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Ralph Thorson, bringing depth and humanity to a character that could have easily been reduced to a caricature.

The supporting cast also shines, with Eli Wallach providing a memorable and charismatic performance as the cunning and dangerous Jack Renda. Kathryn Harrold brings warmth and vulnerability to the role of Dotty, Thorson’s love interest, and Ben Johnson delivers a solid turn as Sheriff Strong.

“The Hunter” is also notable for its exploration of the changing landscape of law enforcement in America. At the time of its release, the film was seen as a commentary on the rising popularity of bounty hunting as a way to capture fugitives who had skipped bail. Today, the film serves as a snapshot of a time when the lines between law enforcement and private security were becoming increasingly blurred.

In conclusion, “The Hunter” is a classic action film that remains just as thrilling and engaging today as it was upon its release. With its well-crafted action scenes, memorable performances, and thought-provoking themes, it is a must-see for fans of the genre and anyone interested in exploring the changing face of American law enforcement.

Technical Commentary

Video

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Hunter arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. This master is actually very nice and with some specific encoding optimizations the technical presentation of “The Hunter” could have been rather impressive. Delineation and clarity are usually good, though virtually the entire film looks slightly softer than it should. Darker visuals have a bit of black crush, but detail remains nice. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Color balance is very good and the only area that could see some meaningful improvements is saturation. There are no stability issues.

Audio

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. The audio is very good. When the current master was prepared, which must have been during the DVD era, the audio was properly transferred and cleaned up.

Special Features