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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
"I've never seen a woman who was more like a man," a character observes of Vienna (Joan Crawford), who has just opened a saloon that hasn't exactly endeared itself to the local townspeople. Emma (Mercedes McCambridge), the local sexually repressed, lynch-happy harpy, is particularly displeased. Vienna is wooed both by the Dancin' Kid (Scott Brady) and by Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden), a peripatetic tough guy-turned-troubadour with whom she has a past.
When the Kid's gang (which includes Ernest Borgnine) decides to knock over the bank before heading to California, Emma wants just about everyone in sight on the business end of a rope. Nicolas Ray's 1954 epic was considered one of the downright strangest Westerns of all time--the women were far tougher than the men (Johnny watches on laconically during the bank robbery, not bothering with heroics), and some saw in the film a bizarre allegory for the McCarthy Red scare. A half-century later, it's still a curious, intriguing piece of moral ambiguity from a time when such a thing ostensibly didn't exist. Hayden is an enigmatic presence, and Crawford's commanding star turn is what you'd expect. --David Kronke
Product Description
This one-of-a-kind western stars Joan Crawford as a saloon owner battling the local townspeople headed by Emma (Mercedes McCambridge), the local sexually repressed, lynch-happy female rancher out to frame her for a string of robberies. The title character played by Sterling Hayden is a guitar-strumming drifter with a dark past who was once in love with Crawford and has been offered a job in her saloon. Nicholas Ray's epic western is considered on the most original westerns of all time - the women are far tougher than the men and some saw in the film a bizarre allegory for the McCarthy era Red Scare. In addition to the stars, Johnny Guitar is well stocked with great supporting players, including Ernest Borgnine, Scott Brady, Ward Bond, Paul Fix, Royal Dano and John Carradine. Classic score title song written by Peggy Lee and the film's composer Victor Young and sung by Peggy Lee.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Phillip
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I pre ordered and received the blu-ray today.....finally my own copy of this American classic!
The restoration and transfer are magnificent..................most of the movie looks like it was shot yesterday....this film is known for its color palatte and the rendering of color and image far surpasses any tv version I have ever seen. Watching this blu-ray is like watching Johnny Guitar for the first time. The soundtrack is crystal clear....all in all Olive Films did a great job.
In addition to the excellent introduction by Martin Scorsese, I would have liked a commentary track or in depth documentary..............the stories about the making of this movie are the stuff of epic myth..believe me, the negative chemistry off screen between Joan and Mercedes comes through on screen in spades. Mecedes gives a performance for the ages in this film.
If you love this movie like I do, this is a must have...............highest possible recommendation.
The restoration and transfer are magnificent..................most of the movie looks like it was shot yesterday....this film is known for its color palatte and the rendering of color and image far surpasses any tv version I have ever seen. Watching this blu-ray is like watching Johnny Guitar for the first time. The soundtrack is crystal clear....all in all Olive Films did a great job.
In addition to the excellent introduction by Martin Scorsese, I would have liked a commentary track or in depth documentary..............the stories about the making of this movie are the stuff of epic myth..believe me, the negative chemistry off screen between Joan and Mercedes comes through on screen in spades. Mecedes gives a performance for the ages in this film.
If you love this movie like I do, this is a must have...............highest possible recommendation.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Jim Harwood
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've seen JOHNNY GUITAR many times over the years, in 16mm and 35mm film prints, on VHS and television broadcast. Almost every previous presentation has been plagued by poor color and image clarity. The new Blu-ray from Olive Films and Paramount is stunning. Color and detail are excellent, especially when you consider this film was shot in Republic's less than stellar Trucolor process. Yes, there's been a bit of grain reduction to the image, but it's not significant in my opinion. The film was also shown in most theaters at the time in a 1.85 aspect ratio, though the Blu-ray is full screen open matte. There is a bit too much head room in some shots, but it's not a big issue. I'm just glad to have the film on Blu-ray looking as good as it does.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
JOHNNY GUITAR is a very enjoyable western melodrama with Joan Crawford, strikingly filmed in colour, as Vienna the misunderstood saloon owner who spearheads the drive for a railroad to be built through her small town. She comes under the hatred and scorn of her fellow townsfolk, not the least of which a scary pariah called Emma Small (played wonderfully by Mercedes McCambridge in another of her trademark characters with bull-dyke tendencies). Vienna's only help lies in her former love, Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden). When Vienna is accused of taking part in a robbery it sets into motion a chain of events that could end in her lynching...
This film is a hair's breath from being high-camp. Joan Crawford plays Vienna in her usual style, exchanging insults and threats with McCambridge in the film's most memorable scenes. A choice line of McCambridge is "She's nuthin' but a railroad tramp". Watching their scenes made me think of Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid in MOMMIE DEAREST, they seem to create the same energy on screen, perhaps they watched JOHNNY GUITAR in preparing for their performances?...
JOHNNY GUITAR is more than a western, and a must-see for fans of Crawford.
This film is a hair's breath from being high-camp. Joan Crawford plays Vienna in her usual style, exchanging insults and threats with McCambridge in the film's most memorable scenes. A choice line of McCambridge is "She's nuthin' but a railroad tramp". Watching their scenes made me think of Faye Dunaway and Diana Scarwid in MOMMIE DEAREST, they seem to create the same energy on screen, perhaps they watched JOHNNY GUITAR in preparing for their performances?...
JOHNNY GUITAR is more than a western, and a must-see for fans of Crawford.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good western with some great twists
While not a "serious" western, it was also not as predictable and had some interesting twists. Read more
Published 26 days ago by B. Manny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joan Crawford Does It Again !
Joan Crawford in a western ! Pretty good one too. Obviously she and Mercedes McCambridge hated each other. Their scenes drip with vitriol. Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. Nolting
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Hoot
Johnny Guitar is almost legendary in the context of the open dislike that Mercedes McCambridge and Joan Crawford had for each other. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. R. Trtek
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie! Format a little off for Blu-Ray
This is one of my favorite westerns right down to the theme song sung by Peggy Lee, which can be obtained on Itunes. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Wemar
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rum and Randy Western
There is a lot about "Johnny Guitar" (1953) that makes it worthy of this Blu-ray edition (which includes and introduction and endorsement from Martin Scorsese), but it is not... Read more
Published 3 months ago by V. Risoli
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Ray
This is a must see for Nicholas Ray fans. The quality of the blu-ray is outstanding. This is one for your collection.
Published 3 months ago by Smitty in LA
5.0 out of 5 stars
I hate you
But I love this BLU-RAY. It is beautiful, and everyone involved in the transfer should be applauded. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. Diaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Johnny Guitar
This movie Johnny Guitar that starred some of the most talented actors in Movie historyJoan Crawford and Sterling Haydon were great
Published 3 months ago by M. E. Aitchison
3.0 out of 5 stars
dorie
I brought this movie because I am a fan of Joan Crawford , but I found this movie to be a bit corny. The acting was not as good as other Joan Crawford movies.
Published 4 months ago by Doris M. Edwards
4.0 out of 5 stars
"MODERN" WESTERN
Strange 50's western but entertaining. Humor and violence. Crawford's casino is unique for its time. Actors are excellent. Some slow spots but entertaining. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Karen M Schaub
