‘Dillinger (1973)’ Blu-ray Review
Stars: Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Harry Dean Stanton, Michelle Phillips | Written and Directed by John Milius
Gangsters and the mafia have always fascinated me; these people were larger-than-life characters. Even in the depression era, Al Capone was considered by many Americans to be a hero. That is crazy to me. Perhaps that is why the lives of these gangsters have been dedicated to film over and over again.
In 1973, award-winning screenwriter John Milius wrote and made his directorial debut with the biographical film Dillinger, all about the life and criminal exploits of notorious bank robber John Dillinger. Now MGM Home Entertainment bring the film to Blu-ray.
Bank robber John Dillinger (Oates) has become a folk hero to the people of Depression-era America, capturing their imaginations with the exploits of his outlaw “super-gang.” But time may be running out for Dillinger’s violent band of fugitives; the FBI’s finest agent (Johnson) is on the case, and his pursuit won’t end until every member of the gang is behind bars…or dead!
Warren Oates puts his all into the role of John Dillinger. At times, it may seem a bit over the top, but I think it’s just right for the over-the-top nature of the film. John Milius brings such style and entertainment to this production that Dillinger really stands out as one of the most fun gangster pictures I have ever seen.
MGM has transferred this cult classic to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The audio track is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There are also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. There are no details given on whether this film has been restored or not. But I will say watching this film in high definition is a pleasant viewing experience. The colours are bright, the picture is crisp, and the audio is clear.
Now, for a Blu-ray release, I always look for bonus features. Well, safe to say, MGM failed here. This is almost a bare bones release. The only bonus on this disc is the Theatrical Trailer. Granted, it is better than nothing, but I would have liked to see an audio commentary, retrospective, interviews, something that would have taken this release to the next level.
**** 4/5
Even though this release would have been better with bonus features, the film is still a wonderful watch, and no one’s gangster movie collection is complete without 1973’s Dillinger. So, head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
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