Search - Ulzana's Raid on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Graphic Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1972 DVD Release: 01/26/1999 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 43 mins Studio: Universal Studios Members Wishing: 9 Genres: Western, Cavalry Film, Indian Western

One of the best films by often-underrated director Robert Aldrich, this stark, brutal Western is also an effective allegory of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Set in Arizona during the late 1880s, the film begins with experienced scout McIntosh (Burt Lancaster) and idealistic U.S. Cavalry Lieutenant DeBuin (Bruce Davison) setting out to catch a group of Apache renegades lead by their chieftain, Ulzana (Joaquin Martinez). The story focuses on the opposing views of the two men regarding Ulzana. McIntosh is cold and cynical while DeBuin is morally outraged by supposed Apache atrocities. The film, sharply written by Alan Sharp, poses a set of complex questions about the nature of heroism, racism, and American imperialism, while avoiding moralizing or oversimplification of the issues. Aldrich and Burt Lancaster, who made four films together over the course of their long careers (including this one), later collaborated on the excellent political thriller Twilight's Last Gleaming. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Burt Lancaster - McIntosh
Bruce Davison - Lt. Garnett DeBuin
Jorge Luke - Ke-Ni-Tay
Richard Jaeckel - Sergeant
Joaquin Martinez - Ulzana

=Ulzana's Raid is a fairly substandard disc from Goodtimes Video, which is very unfortunate considering it is a good movie. The movie, which was shown theatrically at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, is only given a full-frame transfer on disc. The picture quality varies; at times it's very sharp, but often there's an annoying fluctuation, especially in dark areas of the frame. The sound is a mono track, split over two channels. For a film made in 1972 and not likely to see any upgrading, this is as good as it will get. While the sound isn't centered, it still comes across pretty well through the side speakers. As with all Goodtimes discs, this one includes an English soundtrack and subtitles in English, French, and Spanish. It's hard to complain about extras, or the lack of extras, when a title is reasonably priced. As with most of their discs, this one has nothing additional. For the most part, this is a fine motion picture. It's sad to see that a better disc was not produced. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide