This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.
From a whirlwind romance out of Africa to the rugged mountain frontier of Montana, the sweeping series 1923 chronicles the unhindered passion and the shocking truths of the American West. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing post-war world, Western Expansion reveals the depths of human greed and the forced assimilation of Indigenous Peoples. The critically-acclaimed drama recounts the journeys of a multi-generational ensemble as they fight for their legacies to endure and hope that those they depend on will return to the places and people they call home.
For previous thoughts on Yellowstone, check out my review here. For previous thoughts on 1883: A Yellowstone Origin Story, check out my review here.
For thoughts on 1923: Season 1, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
1923: Season 1 arrives on Blu-Ray courtesy of Paramount Home Entertainment with a transcendent AVC encoded 1080p transfer. The level of detail on display is unmatched in high definition, as all of the carefully curated aspects of the period costumes and production design are sharp as a knife. This presentation is a notable improvement from the streaming version of the show, which shows signs of being overly compressed. In contrast here, there are thankfully no egregious instances of aliasing or compression artifacts to speak of.
The show has a vibrant color palette that deftly captures the various natural wonders on display. There are some memorable moments of robust colors popping off the screen, especially when it comes to some clothing, the environments and the blue skies. Skin tones appear natural and textured across the entire cast with dust and age lines appearing on certain performers. Black levels are very deep and provide a strong amount of detail in shadows. Highlights do not fall victim to any blooming in this presentation. Paramount has done really well with this release.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless track that brings this adventure to life flawlessly. Environmental sounds rarely cease from the din of nature to some of the bustling towns. Ambient sounds flow through the mix with precision in the surround channels. Action set pieces make an impression when they do pop up as they dig deep in the low end. Dialogue emanates clearly without being overshadowed by the score or any sound effects. The music from Brian Tyler and Breton Vivian accentuates the tone of the series in a way that is vital. This score is presented with perfect fidelity within the mix. The audio presentation could not deliver more consistently. There are English SDH subtitles provided for those who desire them.
Special Features
- Behind the Story: Every episode is given an accompanying in-depth featurette which amounts to over 48 minutes of material all together. Through these videos you get a closer look at certain characters, an analysis of plot developments, highlights from the episodes and more. These are fun additions that are worthwhile for fans.
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- 1923 (7:42)
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- Nature’s Empty Throne (7:33)
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- The War Has Come Home (7:15)
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- War and The Turquoise Tide (7:20)
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- Ghost of Zebrina (6:55)
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- One Ocean Closer To Destiny (5:41)
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- The Rule of Five Hundred (5:31)
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- Nothing Left To Lose (8:13)
- Unstoppable Change – The Adventure Of 1923: A 44-minute featurette which unveils the story of 1923 with a very in-depth look at the narrative of the series, the shooting locations, the costumes, the complex production elements, the performances and much more. This is surprisingly meaty and worth checking out as a supplement to the show.
- I Am The Land – Teonna Rainwater: A 14-minute featurette which takes a look at the character of Teonna Rainwater as played by Aminah Nieves, who discusses her background, getting involved in this project, the importance of portraying this Indigenous storyline and more.
- Reflecting Humanity – The Art & Craft Of Editing 1923: A 15-minute piece which takes a look at the process of assembling all of the footage to make this show a reality. This one has some great insights into the reality of this process.
- Inside The Series: An 18-minute preview piece hosted by LaMonica Garrett (1883) that examines the series in broad strokes including the characters, how it ties to Yellowstone, the scale of the series, the passion put into crafting this series and more.
Final Thoughts
1923 makes a strong argument for being the most satisfying Yellowstone property to date. We love the mothership series, and 1883 deeply moved us in a variety of ways, but this series gives us almost everything we want out of a classic western tale. The obvious selling point is the presence of Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, but the entire ensemble is working overtime to deliver something special. The series is not afraid to go beyond some of the surface-level western tropes and deliver something a bit more introspective and challenging. We simply cannot wait to finish this journey. Paramount Home Entertainment has delivered a Blu-Ray that offers a sumptuous A/V presentation and some in-depth special features. If you are even the slightest fan of western tales, give this a watch. Recommended
1923: Season 1 is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.