|
By
NICK ZEGARAC
"The Spoilers" is an unabashed adventure flick brimming with romance, humor and spectacular action.
The plot, such as it is, is simple but compelling. When a troupe of corrupt government agents, headed by MacNamara (Randolph Scott), arrive in Alaska and "steal" a gold miner's claim, the miner -- Glennister (John Wayne), decides to retaliate. Glennister's hot and heavy romance with the lusty, husky voiced madam, Cherry Malotte (Marlene Dietrich) is temporarily sidetracked by an infatuation with Helen Chester (Margaret Lindsay). She's the supposed good girl gone bad, but is actually part of the outfit that is after Glennister's claim. Both Randolph Scott and John Wayne cut dashing figures of masculinity across the stark but beautiful Alaskan backdrops while Dietrich is at her most provocatively sensual best. The climactic fistfight, between Wayne and Scott is defiantly brutal to say the least.
The transfer is exemplary. The B&W picture exhibits an outstanding and clean DVD transfer that has obviously been the benefactor of some restoration efforts. Blacks are sometimes unstable. There's a limited amount of film grain and age related artifacts. Digital anomalies are not an issue, though some edge enhancement is present. The picture elements are remarkably solid and will surely please. The audio is mono but nicely cleaned up.
Forget about extras! Universal generally doesn't think much of its classic film library and this disc is no exception.
"The Spoilers" is recommended as a movie and reference quality DVD. |
