Customer Reviews

McLintock

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(68)

 

 

I've been a McLintock fan since 1963...when it came out to the movies. My dad took me to see it on my 11th birthday. I held off buying the VHS version once I discovered the Wayne Foundation had not released an "authorized" copy. Once it did, I purchased three...just in case one got damaged! Yes...I love the movie. For DVD customers....it IS worth the wait. If, as you can see from other reviews, the transfer quality to DVD is poor, then why waste your money now, when you can (HOPEFULLY!!) purchase the legitimate product when the Wayne Foundation releases it! This is a GREAT movie for all ages. Kids love the shenanigans, teens like the romance, and us old-timers just like an easy-on-the-eyes and -ears movie with a happy ending. This is the only movie review I've ever written, but the movie was worth it.

Buy the AUTHENTIC version-ASIN: B000ANVPPQ (McLintock Wayne Authorized Edition), DO NOT buy ASIN: B000006OS2 (McLintock).

I noticed that reviews on the two dvd's are being mixed together, and making it difficult for others to distinguish between the wonderful feedback of the former to that of the God awful latter dvd.

Paramount has done a great job with the four movies in their collection-island in the sky, the high and the mighty, mclintock, and hondo. I wish that the reviewers state if the copy they're reviewing is the paramount copy just released or the other vastly inferior copies. That way Paramount won't get a bad rap for dreck they didn't produce.

I have previously purchased this movie on video casette. It was the authorized version by the Wayne family and is of excellant quality. I looked forward to viewing this movie on DVD, but was very disappointed in the quality of the Good Times edition. The sound quality is that of an old print of a black and white 1930's western. It is scratchy and very annoying to listen to. This wasn't a digitally remastered print of the original film. Good Times simply copied an old out of date print of the film onto DVD. The picture quality is poor with lines and evidence of the wear and tear of countless theater and TV viewings. I would suggest that anyone wanting to purchase a DVD of this film wait until a reputable company releases an authorized version that can be enjoyed. I certainly felt ripped off after watching ten minutes of this DVD.

John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara - I don't believe there's ever been another screen couple who can make the verbal, and romantic, sparks fly the way they do. Of all the movies I've owned over 18 years ofcollecting, none makes me laugh-out-loud as much as this one, even on repeated viewings. The dialogue crackles with testy good-humor, and the cast of supporting characters (Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan) adds immensely to the fun. Sour note - this film absolutely screams out for a letterboxed or enhanced for 16:9 widescreen version. There are WAY TOO MANY characters missing in the poor pan and scan framing, "barely there" profile shots, characters talking to an off-screen presence. Also, the extremely poor DVD quality actually detracts from enjoyment of this fun film. It looks like a 3rd or 4th generation tape transfer. A sad way to treat such a popular film. Summary: Content - 5 stars, transfer quality - 1 star.

Okay, everybody agrees that the Goodtimes Home Video release ranks right up there with Pacific Family Entertainment. Only good for the shredder. But alas, Batjac Productions along with Paramount Home Video has finally released a digitally remastered McLintock! and many other great JW films. Just too many wonderful comments to mention of this wonderful western.

So long to 'Goodtimes Home Video', whose release was just plain 'Bad Times' along with all the other crumby distributors who released horrible iterations of this classic motion picture. I have archived away the 'official' VHS version and am enjoying the new digitally retored, OAR special 'packed with extra' edition of McLintock!

Please do not confuse consumer complaints, and their one star reviews, about the quality of the DVD (which definitely does not apply to this DVD version), with the quality of the movie. "McLintock" is one of John Wayne's best movies, combining comedy--for which Wayne was not well recognized--and western genres. "McLintock" was the second John Wayne movie ("Stagecoach," his finest, being the first) I showed my three sons as I introduced each of them to the wonder of the greatest film star of all time. While I feel that "Quite Man," also with Maureen O'Hara, is the film Wayne should have won the Oscar for Best Actor, and rivals and parallels "McLintock," the "Quite Man" is more for adults than the entire family. I loved "McLintock" when I saw it on the big screen in 1963, I was thrilled when it came out in VHS (although the quality was bad), and I am honored to own McLintock! (Authentic Collector's Edition). I just wish that AMAZON.COM would differentiate reviews for each version of a movie, as most of the bad reviews of movies are about the disk quality or some other aspect of the product, and not about the movie itself. Hence, the overall reviewer rating for "McLintock" is three stars, mostly, if not entirely, because previously released versions had major quality issues. But those bad reviews serve to inhibit people from buying the "McLintock! (Authentic Collector's Edition)" version. Granted, quality is an issue; but one that needs to be addressed to the studios, not the movie. Thus, if I need a lift, I turn to "McLintock," because it has humor, sarcasm, and hope--not because the quality of the disk or features are less than desired.

This delightfully wonderful film essentially spawned a new genre, western comedies, which ultimately lead to Lee Marvin's Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. "McLintock" also reunited John Wayne with Maureen O'Hara, one of the few actors who could push Wayne to do his best work--in deed, I would include all of their (I believe eight) movies in the top 20 movies John Wayne made. I would like to note that this was NOT their last movie--as stated in other reviews--together, "Big Jake" (1971) being one that comes to mind immediately.

While Amazon's review pans the bonus features--again, something that has nothing to do with how great the film is--I found them quite entertaining and interesting.

Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.

This DVD's quality is poor at best. As for this John Wayne film, this western ranks as one of my favorites. Unfortunately you will see a better quality version of this if you wait for it to play on WTBS and then tape it with your own VCR (even if you use the oldest tape you own the quality will exceed the DVD).

This DVD was a MAJOR disappointment.

Avoid this DVD like the plague. It isn't worth the plastic it was made of. I wouldn't use it as a coaster. I wouldn't even use the box to line a birdcage with. (Are you starting to catch on yet?) For God's sake, don't buy this!

Here's why: The rights to McClintock have somehow been allowed to fall in the hands of Goodtimes Video. Unfortunately these weasels have produced an amazingly bad, and at times out of focus DVD. Yes Virginia, out of focus. Sound quality is dubious and the best scenes in the movie are frequently the worst. *sigh*

You own a DVD player to avoid seeing movies that look like they were recorded on a crummy videotape at LP setting. Do yourself a favor, avoid ANY DVD from these Goodtime jokers. You'll be glad you did. Learn from my mistake.

I'm going outside right now to throw this DVD around like a Frisbee. It's really all its good for.

Folks, The dvd pictured here is the real deal! No more nasty Trashy looking copies. Paramount Pictures is releasing this, right from the Wayne estate vaults. THANK GOD!!!!