Red River: A Film by Howard Hawks (1948)
The Criterion Collection, 2014.
First Printing. Dual-Format Blu-ray and DVD, 4 Disc Set.
In this film, Howard Hawks’ first western, John Wayne plays an embittered Texas rancher whose tensions with his neurotic adopted son – played by Montgomery Clift in a breakout performance – reach fever pitch during a cattle drive to Missouri. The film is based on a novel that depicts authentic 19th century treks on the Chisholm Trial, but Hawks has focused here on the relationship between father and son and the theme of masculinity that pervades our conception of the American West. The Dual-format blu-ray and DVD special editions features include:
- New 2K digital restoration of the rarely presented original theatrical release version, the preferred cut of director Howard Hawks, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on Blu-ray
- New 2K digital restoration of the longer, prerelease version of Red River, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on Blu-ray
- New interview with filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich about Red River and the two versions
- New interview with critic Molly Haskell about Hawks and Red River
- New interview with film scholar Lee Clark Mitchell about the western genre
- Audio excerpts form a 1972 conversation between Hawks and Bogdanovich
- Audio excerpts from a 1970 interview with novelist and screen writer Borden Chase
- Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of Red River from 1949 featuring John Wayne, Joanne Dru, and Walter Brennan
- Trailer
- Two Blu-rays and two DVDs, with all content available in both formats
ISBN: 9781604656596
Dual-Format Blu-ray and DVD Special Edition, 127 minutes, Black & White, Monaural, 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio. 2 DVDs + 2 Blu-ray discs in case, with booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien and a 1991 interview with Hawks's frequest editor Christin Nyby, and a new paperback edition of Chase's original novel, Blazing Guns on the Chisholm Trail. All housed in pictorial cardboard slip-case.
Previously owned and opened. Videotapes and cases are in excellent condition. Book and pamphlet are pristine and unread. Cardboard case shows a bit of wear to extreme corners, but is near fine overall.
Price: $35.00