Cheyenne: The Complete Series (Blu-ray Review)

Warner Archive has been known for releasing restored Blu-rays of classic films, but here lately we have been seeing classic western series getting restored and released in their entirety. We have seen such great releases as complete series of A Man Called Shenandoah, Colt 45 and The Alaskans.

Now it is time for the next western TV release on Blu-ray and this one is a historic one. Why do I say it is historic? Because Cheyenne was the first western to run a full hour time slot in American TV history. Yes, before Gunsmoke and Bonanza Cheyenne gave audiences a full hour of old west adventure!

Warner Archive has restored and released all 7 seasons 107 episodes on Blu-ray for the first time ever. Now classic TV Western fans can enjoy the adventures of Cheyenne Bodie on physical media for years to come.

Synopsis: In the 1950s, a posse of popular Warner Bros. TV Westerns galloped into American living rooms: Maverick, Sugarfoot, Bronco, Lawman, Colt .45. The sagebrush rage began with Cheyenne, an epic series of gunblazing action and panoramic prairie vistas that ran for seven top-rated seasons and helped turn a nation of accountants, sales clerks, and kids into armchair cowpokes. The source of Cheyenne's significant popularity was its charismatic and heroic leading man, Clint Walker, who rose to instant TV-star fame as Cheyenne Bodie, six-and-a-half feelt of cowboy brawn, courage and integrity. 

Cheyenne was an exciting and dramatic TV western.  Clint Walker was simply amazing as the title character. But at the end of the third season Clint wanted a new contract that included better terms. When the studio refused and he left the show. Instead of recasting him producers brought in Ty Hardin to play Bronco Lane. This show was same just with a different lead character. After terms were agreed to Clint Walker returned for the last 3 seasons of the show.

Cheyenne has wonderful writing and great cinematography. But what was also a major plus for this show was the great guest stars. Cheyenne saw such great future stars as James Garner (Maverick), Edd Byrnes (77 Sunset Strip), Alan Hale, Jr. (Gilligan's Island), Dan Blocker (Bonanza), Lee Van Cleef (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly), Michael Landon (Highway to Heaven), Lorne Greene (Battlestar Galactica, Angie Dickinson (Police Woman), Connie Stevens (Rock-A-Bye Baby) and Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist).

Warner Archive has lovingly restored this seven-season series that includes 107 episodes in 4K from the original camera negatives. These newly restored episodes have been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and are presented in the original full screen format. The audio track is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There are also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

I must say I am extremely impressed with the quality of these new 4K scans. I owned the best of Cheyenne on DVD and looking at these episodes on Blu-ray it blows that release right out of the water.  The picture is crisp and clean, and the audio is clear. There was no damage that I found when screening these episodes. 

The episodes included in this complete Blu-ray box set Season 1 run around 40 minutes. There afterwards are the complete 50-to-55-minute episodes with show bumpers and promotional clips for other shows. There is one bonus features on this Blu-ray set it is The Lonely Gunfighter: An Interview with Clint Walker. This is a very interesting almost 14 minute interview.

Warner Archive has put together a simply stunning box set here. 30 Blu-ray discs. Each season has its own Blu-ray case with unique artwork. This Blu-ray is more than just filled with entertainment. The case is so beautiful it can truly be a display piece as well. 

So if you love classic TV westerns Cheyenne is right up there with some of the best. If you would like to add Cheyenne the TV Series on Blu-ray to your collection, head over to Amazon or Physical media Land and order your copy today. You won't be disappointed!

Out of 4 TV Sets (4 being the best) Cheyenne The Complete Series Blu-ray receives....