The Yearling (1946) {Warner Archive Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

Gregory Peck was an Academy Award winning actor. Acting in such classic films as The Keys of the Kingdom (1945), Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), Gentleman's Agreement (1947), Twelve O'Clock High (1949), Moby Dick (1956), Cape Fear (1962) and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) in which he won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Atticus Finch.

In 1946 he led an amazing cast in the family drama entitled The Yearling. The great folks at Warner Archive Collection have decided to give this family classic a Blu-ray release it so richly deserves and I could not be happier to see it!

The film follows the Baxter family who live and work on their farm in Florida. The head of the house is Civil War veteran Ezra "Penny" Baxter (Gregory Peck) and his wife, Ora (Jane Wyman). They had much tragedy loosing three children before having their son, Jody (Claude Jarman Jr.). Jody has desire for companionship, but his mother just wants him to grow up! Jody unexpectedly finds the companionship he longs for in an orphaned fawn. Jody's father is all for the relationship, while his mother is not.



The Yearling is a faithful adaption to the 1939 Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The film is a real tearjerker. Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman are spectacular in their roles. Than there is Chill Wills and Forrest Tucker who are great in their supporting roles, but Claude Jarman Jr. truly shines. He plays the role of Jody with such emotion that it is hard to believe that this was his film debut.



The Yearling was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best, Actor, Actress, Director, and Best Picture. Sadly it only won three Best Art Direction–Interior Decoration – Color, Best Cinematography and a well deserved Academy Juvenile Award for Claude Jarman Jr.

Warner Archive has transferred The Yearling to Blu-ray in 1080p in it's original full screen format 1.37:1. The audio is a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track. This transfer looks beautiful. The colors vibrant like a watercolor painting. The picture is sharp and the audio is clear with no signs of hiss or pops.



Not only did Warner Archive Collection put an absolutely gorgeous transfer of this classic film on this Blu-ray. They added some of amazing bonus features as well.

* Screen Guild Players Radio Broadcast
* Classic Tom and Jerry Cartoon: Cat Concerto
* Theatrical Trailer

I have to say I have been enjoying the bonuses that Warner Archive Collection have been adding with the releases. The additions of radio broadcasts and classic cartoons are a win. They make for such a release. 


Check out this Clip of The Yearling:

If you are a fan of Gregory Peck or family films from 40s Hollywood. I can not recommend The Yearling enough. You will never find a better looking copy than this Blu-ray from Warner Archive. So head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today. 

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Warner Archive's Blu-ray of The Yearling receives...