Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5881 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-01-27
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Italian, Dutch, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Romanian, Bulgarian
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 126 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Winner of four Academy Awards, including best picture, director, supporting actor and best editing, Clint Eastwood's 1992 masterpiece stands as one of the greatest and most thematically compelling Westerns ever made. "The movie summarised everything I feel about the Western," said Eastwood at the time of the film's release. "The moral is the concern with gunplay." To illustrate that theme, Eastwood stars as a retired, once-ruthless killer-turned-gentle-widower and hog farmer. He accepts one last bounty-hunter mission--to find the men who brutalised a prostitute--to help support his two motherless children. Joined by his former partner (Morgan Freeman) and a cocky greenhorn (Jaimz Woolvett), he takes on a corrupt sheriff (Oscar winner Gene Hackman) in a showdown that makes the viewer feel the full impact of violence and its corruption of the soul. Dedicated to Eastwood's mentors Sergio Leone and Don Siegel and featuring a colourful role for Richard Harris, Unforgiven is arguably Eastwood's crowning directorial achievement. --Jeff Shannon

Amazon.co.uk Review
Set in Wyoming in 1881 during the sunset years of the Wild West, 1992's Unforgiven was directed by and starred Clint Eastwood, and is generally considered to be the towering achievement of his twilight years. Eastwood plays William Munny, once a vicious, whisky-swilling bounty hunter, brought to heel by his marriage to a good woman. When she dies, he must raise two children and run a hog farm alone, something which we see him make a comically poor fist of doing. Then, in a twist of fate, a young outlaw called the Schofield Kid trots up to his farm and invites him to collect on a $1,000 reward raised by a group of prostitutes. However, Clint must not only face up to his own somewhat rusty skills as a gunslinger, but also to genial-but-psychopathic lawman Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman in superb form).

Unforgiven ultimately conforms to the expectations of the genre, while subverting quite a few of them on the way. There's brooding on the consequences of violence ("It's a hell of a thing to kill a man"), as Munny's ineptitude with a rifle is matched by his feelings of penitence for his younger wrongdoings. Finally, however, Eastwood casts aside age and inhibition in a chillingly ruthless shootout, his powers miraculously (improbably?) restored, in what could also be seen as an assertion on the part of the ageing Eastwood of his own potency as a major player in Hollywood.

On the DVD: Unforgiven is presented in this Special Edition release in a 2.35:1 widescreen transfer that gives due emphasis to what critic David Thomson described as the "drained, wintry" feel of the movie. There are numerous bonus features in addition to the original trailer. Eastwood official biographer Richard Schickel offers a particularly copious and detailed audio commentary which touches on all aspects of the film. The 64-minute 1997 documentary Clint on Clint offers a detailed if inevitably worshipful account of Eastwood's career. Finally, there's a 47-minute 1959 episode of Maverick, the old James Garner TV series, guest-starring a 29-year-old Clint, several years away from his big Hollywood break. --David Stubbs

Special Features
Disc 1:

Feature-length commentary by film critic & Eastwood biographer Richard Schickel

Theatrical trailer
2.35:1 widescreen

Dolby Digital 5.1 (English), Dolby 2.0 Surround (French, Italian)

Subtitles: English, French, Italian, Dutch, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Romanian, Bulgarian

Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Disc 2:

"Eastwood on Eastwood" -- Schickel's penetrating 1997 documentary

"All on Accounta Pullin' a Trigger" -- New 10th Anniversary documentary

"Eastwood & co.: Making Unforgiven" -- Original documentary

"Eastwood ... A Star" featurette

Classic Maverick Episode: "Duel in the Sun"

Customer Reviews

"We all have it coming, Kid." A Superb Masterpiece
"Unforgiven" is much more than a breathtaking Western, it's an amazing film altogether. With elements of drama and film noir, this is a picture that shows us that there are some demons you can never put to rest, no matter how hard you try.

Clint Eastwood stars as William Munny, a once notorious and violent killer and thief. If Munny didn't like you, chances were that you wouldn't live long enough for him to tell you so. However, that was in the old days. Now, he's just a quiet and tired farmer who is a devoted father still in mourning of his dead wife. He's been straight for years and is trying to put all of his demons to rest, but you still get the feeling that no matter how hard he tries, he will always be haunted. An opportunity comes to him in the name of 'The Schofield Kid.' He gives him a chance to be his partner and have him help on a bounty. Knowing that the money could help his family out, Munny finally decides to take the Kid up on the offer. He also brings with him Ned Logan; an old friend and partner. Little Bill Daggett is the Sheriff in town, and the thing he hates most are assassins. He will do anything in his power to take care of them and make sure they do not succeed on their killing. The last remaining part of the film stands out the most and is so well executed that it catches you off guard.

This really is a great film and it surprised me like I would've never expected. I don't like Westerns all that much, but this isn't your typical Western. That is probably why I enjoyed it so much. There is so much story and character development. You really are able to sympathize with Munny, despite his dark and violent past. You want him to be able to get on with his life and forget the past, although you know deep down that things will never be put to rest, and agreeing to go on this bounty only increases the chance of Munny returning back to his old ways. This isn't a Western where the line between good guys and bad guys are clear and the storyline is simple; good guy kills bad guys and gets the girl in the end. No, you won't find any of this here. In this story there are no clear good guys or bad guys, just regular people. This is a real story with real characters that you can feel for. There is a huge issue of morality that takes place, which is something you don't see much in Westerns.

Not only does Eastwood do a terrific job in acting, he also does an amazing job as director. He's a man with vision, and who more qualified to direct a film of this magnitude. I don't think the film would had been as successful had it been done by someone else. The cast is also outstanding. Morgan Freeman really does his role justice. Gene Hackman spreads fear inside of you as the mean and tough Sheriff. Richard Harris also deserves mention for his part as well. (He is sorely missed. He was a very gifted actor.) Everyone really did great in their roles and really knew how to bring the film together.

This new DVD edition really does the movie justice. Though it may not have the most special features, the one feature that stands out the most is the new digital transfer that really makes the picture look crystal clear. The sound is also very impressive as well. Special features included are as follows: Audio commentary by Film Critic and Eastwood Biographer Richard Schickel, Eastwood film highlights, awards list, trailer, and 4 documentaries.

"Unforgiven" is really a spectacular film that deserved the Academy Awards for "Best Picture" and "Best Director." And it is a true masterpiece in my eyes. I think anyone who is a lover of films should give this one a try. Remember, you do not have to be a Western fan to enjoy this, because I am certainly not one. Some people may be disappointed in the lack of action or shoot-outs, but the film is about so much more. It's about morals and trying to put the past to rest. It's also about accepting who you are and that there are some things you will never be able to change, no matter how hard you try. This will end up being one of my favorites in no time. I was very surprised, indeed.

Unforgivable to not own this movie!
Clint Eastwood dedicated his Western masterpiece Unforgiven "...to Sergio and Don." (Sergio Leone and Don Siegel) This was an entirely fitting tribute to the two directors who probably had the greatest impact on Eastwood's career. Leone, of course, cast Eastwood as The Man With No Name in the Dollars trilogy, whereas Siegel directed Eastwood in his other iconic role of Dirty Harry.

When watching Unforgiven it is clear that Eastwood learnt valuable lessons from both of these great directors: Leone's rugged, unromantic view of the West and Siegel's flare for staging action. However, Clint Eastwood is a director with talent all of his own and in Unforgiven we are given a special treat.

This 10th anniversary edition does full justice to the film Eastwood wanted us to see, most notably in its 2.35:1 widescreen presentation. The extra features are also useful and interesting additions serving as more than just padding.

Unforgiven is a Western and as such a genre piece. However, more than that it is a powerful story, a cautionary tale, and above all intelligent and emotionally gripping. It would be unforgivable of you not to embrace it!

'I'm just a regular fella now. I'm just like anyone else'..
This Special Edition 2 disc set of the Western classic Unforgiven needs to be part of any serious film collection out there. Not only did it earn Best Picture and Best Director Oscars of 1992, but it is now seen as the pinnacle of Clint Eastwood's glittering career. Co-starring the likes of Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and Richard Harris, it is easy to realise why Unforgiven is now regarded as 'a masterpiece'. Please read this review and own a genuinely brilliant piece of cinema on a great DVD package.
Clint stars as William Munny, a pig farmer with a vicious reputation for his doings in the past. When a young pretender by the name of The Schoffield Kid arrives at Munny's farm and offers him to collect the bounty for 'some no good cowboys' who cut up a young woman, Will is forced to go on the saddle for one last time. His old partner Ned (a terrific Morgan Freeman) also rides along, in search of some well needed cash.
The men however are oblivious to the fact the town of Big Whiskey is marshalled by vicious sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), a man who wants to see his town free of assassins and fire arms. Even from an early stage, you know Unforgiven is heading for an almighty duel between the two lead characters, Munny and Little Bill. This comes to one of the best clixmaxes I have ever seen, which haunts the audience. This is as gritty and as realistic a western film you are ever likely to come across.
The extras are spread out on Disc two, which includes some nice short documentaries about the making of Unforgiven. There is a considerable amount of time spent focusing on Clint Eastwood's career, which I feel is perhaps not significantly important, but does give the viewer some good information about his past. The picture and sound quality on this DVD is summed up in one word: flawless. It really doesn't look a film made 12 years ago and the tranfer is really as good as it gets. The comparisons between this and the old VHS are quite extroarinary to be honest. It's top quality stuff, believe me.
If you are looking for a film with a great story, top-drawer performances and powerful themes, you have come to the right DVD. Much can be learned from this story and much can be feared: it asks the question, can a person really change? This is simply Hollywood and Eastwood at its finest.