LONE WOLF McQUADE (1983) Blu-ray
Director: Steve Carver
Scorpion Releasing/Ronin Flix

Before he was Walker, Chuck Norris was another Texas Ranger in LONE WOLF McQUADE, on Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing.

Texas ranger J.J. McQuade (Norris) is a renegade, well-trained by mentor Dakota Brown (L.Q. Jones, THE BROTHERHOOD OF SATAN) but the bane of publicity-minded superior Captain Tyler (R.G. Armstrong, EVILSPEAK) who insists that he learn to work with federal and state agencies. The only person who wants to work with him is state police deputy Kayo (Robert Beltran, THE NIGHT OF THE COMET) who McQuade saved when he was cornered by a group of Mexican horse thieves during a bust gone wrong. McQuade wants nothing to do with the greenhorn or the state police and the feds; that is, until his daughter Sally (Dana Kimmell, FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III) has her car run off the road and her boyfriend (Robert Jordan) killed after they witness he highjacking of a U.S. Army convoy of weapons by illegal arms dealer Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine, THE WARRIOR AND THE SORCERER) who just happens to be the business partner of McQuade's love interest Lola (Barbara Carrera, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN). McQuade knows he's getting too close when those close to him are threatened and fed Jackson (Leon Isaac Kennedy, FIGHTING MAD) gets involved.

With its soaring score by Francesco de Masi (NEW YORK RIPPER) and its Texas vistas, LONE WOLF McQUADE is probably the closest that Norris got to making a western (or a spaghetti western). The plot may not be particularly compelling but the fight scenes are entertaining and Norris is well-supported by one of his better supporting casts which also includes William Sanderson (SAVAGE WEEKEND) as a lowlife and Sharon Farrell (THE FIFTH FLOOR) as McQuade's ex-wife who creates friction by a career of her own in New Mexico. Carradine is satisfyingly nasty and the showdown with Norris is actually suspenseful. Fight coordinator/future director Aaron Norris (HELLBOUND) and Jason Voorhees stuntman Kane Hodder (PRISON) also have small appearances. Director Steve Carver had previously helmed the Italian-lensed THE ARENA and BIG BAD MAMA for Roger Corman's New World Pictures, and directed Norris in AN EYE FOR AN EYE and later directed later Cannon action star Michael Dudikoff in RIVER OF DEATH.

After the film's Orion Pictures theatrical release, LONE WOLF McQUADE first appeared on VHS and laserdisc from Vestron Video in the early eighties followed by a nineties Orion Home Video tape edition and a 2001 DVD from MGM featuring a barebones anamorphic transfer. MGM's 2012 Blu-ray was similarly barebones but a nice upgrade for the time but Scorpion Releasing's new 2K scan of the original interpositive reveals slivers more information on all four sides of the frame and also looks slightly warmer than the previous HD master, suited to the sweltering setting and giving Norris a more sunburnt look without looking unnatural. The mono soundtrack is crisp and clear in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 which gives a spacious feel to De Masi's score even though it remains centered. Optional English SDH subtitles are also included.

Extras start off with an audio commentary by director Carver, actors Beltran and Jones, and producer Yoram Ben-Ami moderated by filmmaker C. Courtney Joyner (LURKING FEAR). Carver reveals that the she-wolf used in the opening title sequence (which he designed) was one of Tippi Hedren's animals and discusses the novelty of shooting in El Paso while producer Ben-Ami recalls that the challenge was not getting Norris involved but getting him to change his look to more rugged and grizzled for the role. Beltran recalls how his inexperience as an actor added to his characterization, looking to Norris and the other cast members as role models, and a wise-cracking Jones recalls working with Armstrong. Beltran, Jones, and Ben-Ami also appear in video interviews, however, these appear to have been shot before the commentary so it does not feel like a rehashing. Beltran (9:46) recalls learning to work with weapons on the film, anecdotes about Norris training with his fight coordinator brother Aaron, and relates his warm memories of his co-stars. Jones (10:15) did not think much about the script but took the role because Norris and Carver were ready to do it at the time, recalling Carver's accomplishment as a "concerted effort" but the shoot itself as magical, and that the bulk of his fan mail is for this film alone. Ben-Ami (7:27) relates some memories that also appear on the track but also discusses the film's release and reception here. The disc also includes an interview with actor Kennedy (11:47) who recalls going in for a meet-and-greet with Norris and Carver rather than an audition, and that he was cast because the production's demographic study said he would be good for the role, and recalls most vividly the perilous rappelling scene. The disc also includes the film's theatrical trailer (2:25). The Ronin Flix edition has a reversible cover and a slipcover (both of which will probably not be included in a standard edition). (Eric Cotenas)

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