No Country for Old Men (Blu-ray Review)
Director
Joel Coen, Ethan CoenRelease Date(s)
2007 (December 10, 2024)Studio(s)
Paramount Vantage/Scott Rudin Productions/Mike Zoss Productions (The Criterion Collection – Spine #1243)- Film/Program Grade: A
- Video Grade: A
- Audio Grade: A
- Extras Grade: A
Review
No Country for Old Men, a Best Picture Oscar winner based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy and adapted and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, is a harsh look at the inevitability of consequences at a time when the nature of crime has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Set in west Texas, it’s a gripping variation on the chase film.
The film focuses on three characters: Vietnam veteran Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin, Avengers: Endgame), hitman Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem, Eat Pray Love), and county Sheriff Ed Bell (Tommy Lee Jones, Men in Black). While hunting in the desert, Moss comes upon the bloody aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong. Dead bodies are strewn about and trucks are riddled with bullet holes. Only one man remains alive, wounded and begging for water. Using his tracking skills, Moss locates a huge cache of drug money, and takes it home.
Chigurh, a cold-blooded killer, is on a mission to find the money after escaping police custody. Bell is investigating the mass murders in the desert, trying to piece together the clues. Chigurh’s search eventually points to Moss. Knowing that whoever wants the money isn’t going to give up easily, Moss tries to stay ahead of his pursuer while looking after the safety of his wife, Carla Jean (Kelly Macdonald, Anna Karenina).
Brolin is a good fit for Moss. He’s a rugged westerner who knows the landscape and is keenly aware that he’s been targeted, relying on his hunting instincts to cover his tracks, but also willing to risk his life for the better life the money can provide for Carla. Moss is a man of few words. In fact, long stretches of the film feature him looking silently at the landscape, piecing together what has occurred and figuring out what his next step should be. He’s patient. When he believes he’s located the money, he pauses and evaluates his next move. Cautious and determined, he’s willing to put in the time for what promises to be a windfall.
As Bell, Jones wears a world-weary expression. Close to retirement, Bell tries to fathom the blatant disregard for human life and the intensity of crime. This isn’t the kind of crime a local sheriff generally encounters, and it’s hard for him to reckon with the body count in his jurisdiction.
Bardem is unforgettable as the relentless Chigurh, a soulless killing machine who favors an unusual lethal weapon, but is equally adept with ordinary arms. He has no compunction against casually killing anyone—no matter how innocent—who gets in the way of his search or can facilitate his capture. He sometimes toys with potential victims, asking them to call heads or tails at the toss of a coin, even when the victim doesn’t realize that their guess will determine their fate.
Macdonald, as Moss’ wife, embodies a simple west Texas gal who recognizes the danger her husband is facing but realizes that trying to reason with him is futile. She’s worried, of course, yet dutifully follows his instructions, knowing she may never see him again. Macdonald conveys affection, fear, and a kind of wisdom that comes with knowing her man thoroughly. She’s also empathetic. We like Carla Jean and want things to go well for her.
No Country for Old Men is both intriguing and devastating. There’s a great deal of violence, but it’s all integral to the story. The Coen brothers rely on location filming that reveals the wide expanses of Texas desert, a survivalist landscape where most of the story plays out. Many of the minor characters capture the look and sound of the locales and add an authentic atmosphere. The Coens are unafraid to let long stretches of the film go on without dialogue, relying on the actors and a subjective camera to show what characters are seeing and thinking. This approach draws viewers in and, in a sense, forces their attention. By not doling out every bit of information, it compels engagement, though it may not have the payoff that many films find essential. (Which isn’t a negative criticism, just an observation.) No Country for Old Men assumes an intelligent audience that needn’t be spoon-fed every iota of information, and it’s all the better for it.
No Country for Old Men was shot by cinematographer Roger Deakins on Super 35 mm film (Kodak Vision2 100T 5212, 200T 5217, and 500T 5218) using Arricam LT and Arriflex 535B cameras and Cooke S4, Zeiss Master Prime, and Arri Macro lenses; finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate; and presented in the aspect ratio of 2.39:1. According to the information in the enclosed booklet from the new Blu-ray release by The Criterion Collection, “this new 4K digital master was created from a 4K Digital Intermediate made from the 35 mm original camera negative,” and was supervised by Deakins. The cinematography beautifully captures the wide vistas of the Texas desert, which appear to go on endlessly. These shots add tremendous atmosphere, revealing the locales to be primitive and unforgiving. The color palette tends toward earthy hues and often takes on a dusty look to match the desert tones. Complexions are well rendered, with Jones’ craggy face reflecting Bell’s years of work, as well as bafflement at the nature of the recent crime. Night scenes retain significant detail, with street lights often creating a noir effect.
The soundtrack is provided in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. English subtitles are an available option. The original 5.1 surround soundtrack was remastered from the digital audio master files. Dialogue is clear and distinct, though usually presented in soft, conversational tones. Visuals admirably replace much of the novel’s dialogue. The violent scenes contain sounds of a brutal strangulation, shotgun volleys, discharges from a high-powered cattle gun, a car crash, car engines, and police sirens.
Bonus materials on Region A Blu-ray release from The Criterion Collection include the following:
- Joel and Ethan Coen with Megan Abbott (40:27)
- Conversation With Director of Photography Roger Deakins and Associate Producer David Diliberto (33:45)
- Interview With the Cast (24:53)
- An Incredibly Unauthorized Documentary (9:19)
- The Making of No Country for Old Men (24:29)
- Working With the Coens (8:09)
- Diary of a County Sheriff (6:45)
- Trailer (2:36)
Joel and Ethan Coen with Megan Abbott – In this 2024 interview, author Megan Abbott speaks with filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen about No Country for Old Men. They discuss how they first came across the Cormac McCarthy novel. They felt it could be developed well for the screen. Differences between the book and the film are discussed. Much of the dialogue was dropped in favor of silent passages. The set-up is “classic crime.” McCarthy is specific about trucks, weapons, and other period items. Some of McCarthy’s dialogue appears on screen as the Coens talk about the adaptation. The sheriff character has given up trying to understand modern-day crime. The directors “took heat” for not showing the demise of a major character. Javier Bardem was always surprising in his acting choices. The directors reference M and Paths of Glory as inspirations for No Country for Old Men. They discuss the technique of doubling—scenes that mirror other scenes. The decision was made not to have background music in order to make the viewer more attentive to other sounds. The final monologue is taken directly from the novel.
Conversation With Roger Deakins and David Diliberto – The film’s director of photography and associate producer discuss the making of No Country for Old Men with Megan Abbott. Both men read the book and knew it was the kind of dark story that would appeal to the Coen brothers. Deakins speaks about scouting locations and finally settling on Marfa, Texas for the wide landscape shots and much of the action. Both the book and the film are visual. The locations reflect Americana with its roadside motels, diners, and gas stations. It took a long time to find locations that would work for the story. They liken the pursued hitman to “an animal being wary of a predator.” Storyboards are shown, laying out how scenes will be filmed. Scenes are structured to convey an emotional impact. Overhead shots contribute to a sense of fatalism. Shooting in the motel’s air shaft was difficult but it was essential to have the audience understand the motel’s room layout. No Country for Old Men doesn’t answer all the questions. Both men believe that it wouldn’t be possible to make the film today. Deakins says that although he doesn’t always watch his work, he’s seen No Country for Old Men many times because he loves it so much.
Interview With the Cast – Actors Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, and Kelly Macdonald promote No Country for Old Men. The Coen brothers’ films are deeply American. The actors speak about how happy they were to be working with them. Each Coen brothers film is different from the others. They have the ability to integrate comedy into dark material. The shoot was easy and well organized. Sheriff Bell’s character is simplified from the way he’s portrayed in the novel. Moss and Chigurh both have a personal sense of morality, though at opposite ends of the spectrum. Chigurh is the same man at the end as at the beginning. His job is to see that individuals get the fate that he feels they deserve. He embodies violence, which just creates misery. During breaks in the shoot, Brolin helped Bardem come out of his character by joking around and keeping things light. According to the film, even if you think you have everything all figured out, fate will always intervene. Because the film is so textured, repeated viewings reveal additional facets.
An Incredibly Unauthorized Documentary – This brief behind-the-scenes documentary made by Josh Brolin contains comments from the Coens, scenes from the film, Javier Bardem speaking about changing his physicality for the role, and glimpses of the effects make-up. Woody Harrelson speaks about meeting the Coen brothers. Brolin takes us behind the scenes as footage is shot in the Texas desert. The documentary is more of a collection of snapshots than a cohesive album.
The Making of No Country for Old Men – Terms used to describe the film include “primitive,” “emotional,” and “powerful.” The novel is cinematic, making it a natural for screen adaptation. It’s about a person caught up in extraordinary circumstances and living with the consequences. Chigurh is not described in the book because he doesn’t need to be explained. Moss wants better things for his wife and is willing to take big risks to achieve it for her. The location is a huge element of the tale, with its constantly changing, survivalist landscape. Because the film is set in 1980, it was difficult for the art director to locate era-appropriate cars and other objects. Movies set in the recent past often pose greater challenges to an art director than those set in the distant past. The most brutal fight—the attack of Chigurh on the deputy—involved elaborate prosthetics, a body harness, and considerable flailing about on the floor.
Working With the Coens – Javier Bardem told his agent he wanted to work with the Coens, and was thrilled when they asked him to play Anton Chigurh. Bardem refers to the Coens as “one person with two heads” because the brothers think so much alike and complement each other. They are equally brilliant at filmmaking, know what they want, but are open to creative collaboration with actors. The set is “low key” in comparison to the mayhem depicted in the film. “There’s no ego on the set.” Josh Brolin, Tess Harper, Kelly Macdonald, Tommy Lee Jones, and several crew members comment on the production. Their consensus is that the Coens are “the ultimate team captains.”
Diary of a County Sheriff – Tommy Lee Jones narrates this short about his character, Sheriff Bell. The Coens describe Bell as an “older soul” near the end of his career who has to deal with a crime he’s never encountered before. He tries to figure out what’s going on, but doesn’t learn a lot. Chigurh is a ”complete mystery,” a symbol of pure evil who has his own twisted moral code. The west Texas country is hard on people. In 1980, the drug trade was becoming increasingly violent. Bell feels personally overcome; he can’t deal with this new kind of criminality.
Booklet – The 24-page booklet contains cast and crew information, the essays All Hell Breaks Loose by Francine Prose and A River Runs Though It by Larry McMurtry, several sepia photos from the film, restoration information, and a set of production credits.
No Country for Old Men is also available in a 2-Disc 4K Ultra HD edition with Dolby Vision HDR (High Dynamic Range). The bonus materials are the same on both releases. Not included on either from the 3-Disc Collector’s Edition Miramax DVD and 2-Disc Buena Vista Home Entertainment Blu-ray releases is a collection of press and publicity interviews and materials. Otherwise, everything is accounted for.
No Country for Old Men is one of the Coens’ best films, if not the best. Perfectly cast, elegantly shot, and filled with suspense, it breaks many of the rules of the crime chase drama. Fate is a key factor, with one character trying to avoid an inevitable fate and another determined to complete a mission no matter the cost. The sheriff, unable to grasp the degree to which crime has escalated, serves as commentator about a world he can hardly recognize. The story involves considerable violence and the Coen brothers don’t shy away from it, yet it never comes across as gratuitous. Bardem etches a unique, frightening portrait of a psychopathic murderer who will not be sidetracked from his goal.
- Dennis Seuling