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| Special Features: |
Widescreen anamorphic format
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| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French
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| Subtitles: |
English
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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The Bannon ranch is in a bad way because of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease that may force patriarch Homer (Melvyn Douglas) to destroy his entire herd. Loyal grandson Lonnie (Brandon de Wilde) is swayed by the swaggering, womanizing ways of his Uncle Hud (Paul Newman), who'd be perfectly content to sell off the suspicious herd before it can be condemned. Grandpa Homer doesn't seem to be holding up well under the pressure, while family housekeeper Alma (Patricia Neal) works overtime to fend off Hud's drunken advances.
The above synopsis sounds like a bore of a movie, but with the talent that is attached to this film... namely Paul Newman and Melvyn Douglas... Hud remains as one of the most intense character driven films of late. Newman plays the role so well. A womanizing cowboy who'll do anything to get what he thinks is right. Somehow, just like his young nephew, Newman manages to somehow "enchant" us with his bravado. Sometimes crossing the path into evil, Hud pulls us to his side with his brute honesty of the way he lives his life. A fantastic film... nominated for 7 Oscars, including Newman for Best Actor. This is truly a film that proves that Newman is one of the best actors this, or any generation will ever see.
What a true disappointment of a release. The technical aspects are great, but we have no extra features whatsoever. No interviews with Newman. No behind the scenes revelations of the once blacklisted director. Nothing. But at least we have this film to cherish on the best format there is.
Picture Quality: 9/10
Near perfect transfer here folks! Finally seeing this film in a widescreen, crystal clear transfer is breathtaking, displaying the film's excellent cinematography. We feel the loneliness of the farm life... seperated from everything else. Long dirt roads and fields that span the horizon. Excellent. Blacks and Whites are very clear here... with nearly no grain to be seen.
Sound Quality: 9/10
Sound quality is crisp and clear... with excellent seperation. There were some moments of echo in the dubbing, but nothing too bad. The score is represented well, and never intertwines with dialogue.
Easter Eggs:
Extra Features: 0/10
Nothing. Not even a nibble of extras.
The Final Word:
Paul Newman is truly the movie star to be remembered. He has class, good looks, and major talent. Hud is one of his best. The only thing lacking here are any extras at all. How could the studio deny such a classic film? How could it not give it at least some respect with a few extras here and there? Oh well. Like I said before, at least we have this film in widescreen DVD.
Ken Miyamoto
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