Review of Duel at Diablo

Introduction

Ralph Nelson`s Duel at Diablo is the Western answer to "In The Heat Of The Night" or "They Call Me MISTER Tibbs", as Sidney Poitier takes to the Wild West in this United Artists potboiler. Remembered more for its violence than its intention to re-examine the white man/ native American conflict, this 1966 movie predated similar fare such as "Little Big Man" and Nelson`s equally graphic "Soldier Blue".

The movie rates a 15 rating because of the violent but not graphic content and at the time it was strong meat. The script tries to be intelligent, but the characterisations fall into the usual stereotypes. Prejudice and hatred abounds and you`re left with a pretty nasty Western.

Video

This is a typical no-frills MGM release, and the image suffers from the neglect the film has seen in the vaults. There is much evidence of negative and print damage, although colours are well-saturated if not a little gaudy. The movie is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen.

Audio

The sound is in standard DD2.0 Mono. Of interest is the score, by TV Batman composer Neal Hefti, showing there was more to him than "dinnadinnadinnadinna Batman!".

Features

Subtitles, a seriously damaged theatrical trailer.

Conclusion

Depressing. I`m not a Western fan at the best of times, except for comedy westerns. I`d much rather see James Garner in the "Support Your Local..." comedy westerns than this melodrama.