The Grand Duel/Keoma (Spaghetti Western Double Feature) [Blu-ray]

The print used for the transfer is titled "The Big Showdown". Like many spaghetti westerns The Grand Duel has many titles. I think the first time I saw it on VHS it was called "Storm Rider".

This version is longer than the previously released Wild East DVD. While I have not done a complete side by side comparison, I did notice a scene on the blu-ray that I have often seen in the trailer, but never in the actual film on DVD; the scene where the dying old man wipes his bloody hand on Adam Saxon. I am sure there are many more.

The presentation on this blu-ray far exceeded my expectations. Admittedly I was worried at first as the background for the blu-ray menu showed an intentionally scratchy washed out print.

The print is pristine and blemish free. It looks to be pulled from the original negative and not a interpositive based version as there are subtle jumps occasionally in between cuts. As an original negative is literally glued together between cuts, over time the print will reveal these "bumps". Not a huge deal.

Color is solid throughout, and film grain is well defined without being distracting. Details are are very sharp on the extreme close ups.

The audio is nothing spectacular, but is clear. There are some serious sync issues. For example in the scene where LVC spins around and says "I never kill for money", was out of sync, which was not a problem in the Wild East version. These type of sync issues are probably in 50% of the movie, and seem to occur in large chunks of run time. I know Spaghetti Westerns are known for their dubbing, but the English should match! Bummer.

Aside from the audio sync issues, I feel it is a great disc. I popped in the Wild East DVD afterwards and found it to be unwatchable (but I am a Blu-ray snob).

Full review at
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Mill Creek is really doing some superb releases lately, add this Spaghetti Western dbl feature starring Lee Van Cleef (Grand Duel/aka The Big Showdown) and Franco Nero (Keoma).
The 2.35 anamorphic transfers are very clean, the sync of the sound is a tad off, but that is a minor quibble.
And its available at a nice afforable price tag.
The Big Showdown looks the better of the two films, but considering the tight budgets these had, they look DARN good!
The theatrical trailers for each film are also included for good measure.
This is a great release for fans of the spaghetti western genere.
Very recommended!

You are spending $5 mere dollars for this. For that price alone, any serious image and audio issues are excuseable. There are only trailers. However, these films are SO good. I highly recommend this release. Keoma is a pretty good Western with tons of awesome slow motion bloodletting that is just as great as any Sam Peckinpah film. Franco Nero is amazing in this. Also, the final act of the film is action packed to the max. The Grand Duel is extremely good as well. Lee Van Cleef needs no explanation, he is one of the greatest Italian western stars of all time. This is the best of the two films. It's structured and told better, filled with twists and awesome gun battles. It also features an amazing film score by Luis Bacalov that any fan of Kill Bill will recognize. Gather up some friends or relax yourself, and watch both of these films. There is no way you will not enjoy them.