Bite The Bullet (1975) (BLU-RAY)

Despite being written on the hoof with the actors only seeing a broad outline before shooting, Bite the Bullet has a solid screenplay and is an often handsome looking picture, but it boasts some of the worst editing I've ever seen in a major studio picture. At times it's so disjointed it's almost as if you're watching an assembly put together before shooting has finished. Certainly the potential of many scenes seems to thrown away in slapdash editing that constantly undermines the film. Considering the troubles other Columbia pictures had at the time in their desperate attempts to avoid bankruptcy, it's possible that the film was cut to the bone from a much longer version, but it looks like they've thrown out the baby with the bathwater.

As a result, Richard Brooks' tale of a western endurance horse race never really connects despite a great cast - Gene Hackman on top form and James Coburn in roles that seem to be virtual reprises of Robert Ryan and Burt Lancaster's characters in The Professionals, and Ben Johnson as a nameless saddle tramp out to make a name for himself before he dies best among them. There's also the problem of animal cruelty: despite the script's compassion for horses, there's no doubting that some of the horsefalls would now be illegal. On the plus side, there's some truly striking use of slow motion and normal speed in the same frame, and when the film isn't in such an all-fired hurry it does throw in some nice character moments. And it's a lot better than Hidalgo.

While Columbia's DVD has a decent 2.35:1 transfer, it's worth seeking out Twilight Time's limited edition region-free US Blu-ray release, which has absolutely astonishing picture quality - it's like watching a completely different film compared to the old DVD, and the level of detail really transforms parts of the film. The original trailer, an isolated track for Alex North's Oscar-nominated score and an informative booklet round out the Blu-ray's extras.

This Western had everthing going for it. A superb cast, wonderful scenery, great storyline, excellent studies of human nature and good attention to detail.

What went wrong? Well, as a previous reviewer correctly remarked, there was some really sloppy editing that made you wonder what the Director had in mind, other than to reduce the length of the film. It really spoilt the flow of the film, which was so well conceived and otherwise executed. A further distraction was the difficulty in hearing what was being said at times.

I saw this film om DSTV in South Africa and saved it on my television, as one can do. I have seen it now a couple of times as there are excellent moments in the film
but what a shame about the editing that has reduced it from a ***** to a ***.

Very much an overlooked Western, this boasts a superb, tough guy cast, stunning, and very rugged locations , and superb cinematography. Not to mention a good screenplay from veteran writer/director Richard Brooks.

The story concerns a 700 mile endurance horse race, over frozen mountain paths and sun drenched deserts.

There are 9 entrants, including one-time Rough Rider, Sam Clayton (Gene Hackman),former prostitute, Miss Jones (Candice Bergen), mercenary Luke Matthews (James Coburn), wise old-timer 'Mister', (Ben Johnson),plus a young ambitious hothead (Jan-Michael Vincent) & a titled Englishman, (Ian Bannen).

It's a great cast and a really enjoyable gritty western. Anyone who's either a fan of any of the main stars or loves tough no-hold's barred man against the elements type action/adventure films should definitely see it.