While “Hell Bent” may not be one of John Ford’s greatest films, for silent film fans, just having the experience of seeing one of his surviving silent films is such a major treat, especially for one to receive a wonderful restoration and HD release. If you are a John Ford fan, especially one wanting to see more silent westerns, then “Hell Bent” is recommended for you. Â
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TITLE: Hell Bent
DATE OF FILM RELEASE: 1918
DURATION: 53 Minutes
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1:37:1 aspect ratio, 1080p, Black and White/monaural, Intertitles
COMPANY: Kino Lorber
RATED: Not Rated
RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2020
Directed by John Ford
Story by Eugene B. Lewis, John Ford, Harry Carey
Written by John Ford, Harry Carey
Cinematography by Ben F. Reynolds
Starring:
Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
Duke R. Lee as Cimmaron Bill
Neva Gerber as Bess Thurston
Vester Pegg as Jack Thurston
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM UNIVERSAL PICTURES! Hell Bent (1918) is a rousing Western from the series of Cheyenne Harry adventures that director John Ford (still credited as Jack Ford early in his career) made with star Harry Carey (Straight Shooting). Cheyenne Harry was an outlaw with a heart of gold, played with stoic warmth by Carey, whose performances were a pivotal influence on John Wayne. In Hell Bent Harry flees the law after a poker game shootout, and arrives in the town of Rawhide, where he becomes friendly with local cowboy Cimmaron Bill (Duke Lee) and the kindly dance hall girl Bess Thurston (Neva Gerber), who is tending to her sick mother. Gang leader Beau Ross (Joseph Harris) falls hard for Bess, and kidnaps her. Cheyenne Harry goes to desperate lengths traveling across the deadly desert in order to free Bess from the hard-bitten Ross.
John Ford is a filmmaker known for his Westerns such as “Stagecoach” (1939), “The Searchers” (1956), “The Man Who Shot Liberty Vance” (1962) and also adaptations of classic 20th-century American novels such as “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940).
Before he was the recipient of five Academy Awards including a record four wins for Best Director and a wonderful oeuvre that has made him a legendary filmmaker, having directed films for 50 years, while he had directed more than 140 films, many of his silent films are considered lost.
Only ten of his 60+ films he made between 1917 and 1928 still survive in their entirety. Five of these films were released in the 2007 “The Ford at Fox Collection” but fortunately his 1918 film “Hell Bent” will be released on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. This version was digitally restored by Universal Pictures back in 2019 and is the definitive version of the film to date.
Back in the 1910’s, Harry Carey was one of the best known western actors for the silent screen. While he is known for his role in the 1939 film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (in which he as nominated for an Academy Award for “Best Supporting Actor”)
“Hell Bent” begins with Bess Thurston (portrayed by Neva Gerber) and her brother Jack (portrayed by Vester Pegg) receiving a letter from a relative who needs money.
Unfortunately, her brother loses his job at Wells Fargo and unable to make ends meet, he suggests to his sister that she work as a dancer at the dance hall. For Cheyenne Harry (portrayed by Harry Carey), he has fallen for her.
Through the night, he is a bit drunk after having fun with his friend Cimmaron Bill (portrayed by Duke R. Lee) but when he tries to works his moves on Bess, she is upset and thinks he is like every other guy.
When Beau Ross (portrayed by Joe Harris) tries to hit on Bess, Cheyenne comes to the rescue, restoring Bess’ faith in him.
But when Beau Ross, Bess’ brother Jack and other men try to pull of an attempted robbery, Beau has Bess kidnapped and Cimmaron is intent in rescuing her.
VIDEO:
“Hell Bent” is presented in 1080p High Definition, black and white. The film looks very good for its age and the Universal Pictures and looks amazing in HD.
The print is derived from its only surviving print from the Czech Republic and Universal used the 35mm tinted silent film to restore, recreating dialogue cards in English over a textless background and also removed dirt, scratch and removed stains. In addition, stabilizing the film and deflicker.
The lossless soundtrack is by Zachary Marsh and is presented in DTS HD Master Audio. Intertitles are in English.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Hell Bent” comes with the following special features:
- Archival 1970 Audio Interview with John Ford by Joseph McBride, author of “Searching for John Ford”
- Audio commentary by film historian Joseph McBride
- Video Essay by Film Critic Tag Gallagher
Watching “Hell Bent”, for the most part, it’s a straightforward story of a man who falls in love with a woman, wanting to protect and to rescue her after she is kidnapped by a gang of outlaws.
The good news is that we have an early John Ford silent film being released on Blu-ray and having received extended restoration. Considering many John Ford silent films are lost, it’s great to have this film released nearly over a 100 years later in HD.
But as the film is straightforward and giving audiences an opportunity to see an early silent western by John Ford and starring Harry Carey, While an entertaining film that I felt was straightforward and no chance of misunderstanding the storyline.
After watching the audio commentary by film historian Joseph McBride, I was a bit surprised by the certain details that were revealed.
And having watched it for a second time, I kind of saw the film with a different perspective. While I don’t want to reveal much, McBride’s discussion of a homosexual character, was a bit surprising. When I watched it, I saw a story of good friends and a friend worried to lose his friend because of a woman.
In addition, it’s interesting to hear the vintage audio recording of an interview with John Ford, especially yelling at the interviewer when he can’t hear the question.
I often wonder if the “difficult to work with” filmmaker was hard to work with during his earlier years. Especially when directing a more seasoned western star like Harry Carey. But listening to the interview and also listening to the audio commentary, don’t be surprised if you see this film in a different perspective.
Overall, I’m glad to see this early John Ford silent film “Hell Bent” released on Blu-ray. We don’t get to many chances of seeing much older films from the legendary filmmaker’s oeuvre being restored and remastered.
While “Hell Bent” may not be one of John Ford’s greatest films, for silent film fans, just having the experience of seeing one of his surviving silent films is such a major treat, especially for one to receive a wonderful restoration and HD release.
If you are a John Ford fan, especially one wanting to see more silent westerns, then “Hell Bent” is recommended for you.