On the surface, 1979’s The Frisco Kid seems to be something that it is not. Billed as a Western comedy, the film does not make quite the outrageous swings as Blazing Saddles despite being led by Gene Wilder. You also have the presence of Harrison Ford, fresh off his breakthrough in Star Wars just a couple of years earlier – Han Solo a classic Western archetype in his own right. His performance is closer to that iconic character in this feature, but not for the reasons you may think. All of this is corralled by Robert Aldrich (Attack!, The Dirty Dozen), a man not particularly known for his comedy outside of his rough-and-tumble favorite The Longest Yard. This film is very much a comedy, but more than that it is an endearing portrait of friendship and an inspirational example of unwavering faith presented in a way that does not make your eyes roll back out of your skull. It does not have the largest cultural imprint, but this may be largely due to the fact that it is misunderstood.
The inherent “hook” of this film is a Polish rabbi in the Old West. Wilder plays Rabbi Avram Belinski, a devout practitioner who has just graduated at the bottom of this class at the yeshiva. Belinski seems blissfully unaware that he is looked down upon by his cohorts, and he takes the dodgy assignment to travel to San Francisco to be a congregation’s new rabbi with a fierce determination. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, the sheltered Belinski must make his way across the country to his new home while learning about, and trying to survive, the American way of life. While Wilder’s cohort Marty Feldman would tackle a similar religious “fish out of water” tale the next year in the biting In God We Tru$t, this film takes a more earnest but still comical approach to the situation. The Frisco Kid is not looking to take religion down a peg.
Belinski’s journey is one of growth; the first real taste of reality comes from the manipulation of three con men who play on the rabbi’s trusting nature to fund their own travel out west. It is not long before his new companions attack him and abandon him on a deserted road. The altercation is executed with a lighthearted touch, but more notably it adds depth to the character that grounds him in this world. When faced with danger, Belinski chooses to protect his sacred Torah and trusts in his faith to get him to where he needs to be. While certain customs may be frustrating in the moment, they often prove to be the right choice for him. This is not a movie that is trying to convert anyone, but it is refreshing to see someone able to experience character growth without having to completely change what is initially important to them.
The picture becomes whole when Belinski meets Tommy Lillard (Ford), a bank robber who grows fond of Belinski despite their stark differences. Lillard does not exactly live a moral lifestyle, but he has a good heart, and it is really fun to see their friendship bloom as they come to understand each other better. When Lillard robs a bank on Thursday, he is put into a major bind when he finds out that Belinski will not ride a horse on Shabbat in accordance with his religious customs. Lillard is never going to be a particularly religious man, but he does come to respect the way in which Belinski conducts his life. The rabbi becomes more worldly and able to handle his own, but having Lillard around as a protector and friend is very beneficial to him on more than one occasion.
Yes, this is a film about friendship and faith, but it is still a very funny comedy. The film is very episodic as Belinski finds himself in the middle of new and interesting situations, be it being captured by American Indians or stumbling through a train robbery, which has positive and negative effects on the film. These detours provide a clear runway for some amusing, if not uproarious, moments that keep the comedy grounded. The main issue comes down to how long they commit to this; the film is two hours long and you begin to feel it as you find yourself in an unclear path towards the conclusion somewhere in the middle of the film. Some tighter editing could have made this one feel more exciting, but the general atmosphere of the story is so genial that you can forgive it somewhat. The film is far from perfect, but it proves to be a special entry in the careers of those involved if you approach it in the right context. You will not die laughing, but you will be treated to a general sense of warmth thanks to the charming performances and the thoughtful narrative.
Video Quality
The Frisco Kid makes its Blu-Ray debut thanks to Warner Archive with a brand new 1080p master with a presentation that is simply stunning. The fetching photography shot by Robert B. Hauser sparkles in high definition with natural grain intact. The new transfer shows off a great amount of depth and enhanced detail in the locations, but admittedly the close-up shots hold up better than the long shots. There is a fantastic amount of detail present with nice textures on the clothing and within the dusty environment. Black levels are very deep with no trace of black crush or compression artifacts. The contrast is well defined, and there is virtually no print damage to be found. Warner Archive has given this one an outstanding presentation that should more than please fans.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray comes with a terrific DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that is as much of a triumph as the video portion. This track shows no discernible age related wear and tear such as popping or hissing. Dialogue and environmental noises are represented in pleasing harmony with all competing elements so that nothing sounds muddy in the mix. The music complements the competing various sounds quite well, and the score from Frank De Vol has never sounded better. Most of the activity in the soundtrack comes from the skirmishes along the journey which the track handles quite capably. There are also optional English (SDH) subtitles included for the feature film. This audio presentation is a perfect representation of the film.
Special Features
- Theatrical Trailer: A two-minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
The Frisco Kid is not a Gene Wilder comedy in the traditional sense, as the humor is much more grounded and subtle while taking a backseat to the thematic resonance. The film has some issues with pacing, but a top-tier performance from Wilder and a charismatic Harrison Ford keeps this one on stable ground. The film has never been given much respect over the years, but now is a perfect time to revisit with different narrative expectations. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray sporting a terrific A/V presentation but next to nothing in the way of special features. Those who have an affinity for any of the talent involved should check this one out. Recommended
The Frisco Kid can be purchased directly through the Warner Archive Amazon Store or various other online retailers. The film will be available beginning July 12, 2022.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Warner Archive 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.