Last of the Dogmen (1995) {KL Studio Classics Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

There has been a bit of a resurgence of the popularity of westerns in recent years. Westerns take us back to a simpler time. A time when the world seemed like a a bigger place long before the internet and social media made the neighbors of us all!

Kino Lorber under the division KL Studio Classics have been releasing classic westerns on Blu-ray from new generations. Blu-ray like, Quantez, Shenandoah, The Showdown, Horizons West, Rough Night in Jericho, and Texas across the River. Now the next western to get a Blu-ray release is 1995's Last of the Dogmen.

The film follows a bounty hunter named Lewis Gates (Tom Berenger, Shoot to Kill) who finds the corpses of three escaped convicts in the wilderness, but their death seems suspicious as they were shot by primitive arrows. Gates is joined by anthropologist Lillian Sloane (Barbara Hershey, Hoosiers) as the duo investigate the mountains and discover a tribe of Cheyenne Indians that has lived in hiding for a century. Now the evil Sheriff Deegan (Kurtwood Smith, Robocop) sees this violence as means for retaliation. Now Gates fights to save the Cheyenne from genocide.

Last of the Dogmen is an interesting western adventure to say the least. From the beginning moments to the end credits Last of the Dogmen will have your engaged. The film was written and directed by Tab Murphy. Now the average films fan may not know his name, but not doubt you have seen one of his movies. He wrote the screenplay for such films as, Gorillas in the Midst, Batman/Superman Apocalypse and Batman Year One just to name a few.

Last of the Dogmen has been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Now for the audio there is two options for the soundtrack. There is the theatrical version complete with the narration by Wilford Brimley in 2.0 and 5.1. Than there is the director's audio version which eliminates the narration in 2.0 and 5.1.

The film has been restored from the original camera negative in 4K. Now to be perfectly honest. I have never seen this film before so I have no way to compare it with a previous release. But I can tell you I was thoroughly impressed with this picture and audio quality. It looks and sounds magnificent! But that is not where this Blu-ray ends not by a longshot! Kino Lorber added some really nice bonus feature to this release. Take a look at what is included.

* Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Tab Murphy, Producer Joel B. Michaels, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale

* Includes Audio with Narration by Wilfred Brimley and the Director Preferred Version Without Narration

* Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot

* Additional trailers, Love at Large, Shattered, Take this Job and Shove it an The Public Eye

* Booklet insert with an essay written by Julie Kirgo

* Slipcover

So a magnificently restored 90s western adventure and great bonuses. I can not help but call this one a must own for a collector's collection. Go ahead and check out the trailer of Last of the Dogmen below.

If you are interested in adding Last of the Dogmen to your Blu-ray collection head over to Amazon or Deep Discount and order your copy today.