I would have given this DVD five stars, because it's an excellent transfer with a good commentary. But...extras that may have been on the Region 1 release and are misleadingly listed on the packaging of this Region 2 release are not on there.

The DVD packaging lists four extras that are not actually on the disc: New, never before seen footage; photo gallery; original theatrical trailer and a Batjac teaser. Paramount DVD, who have released this former Warner Bros release, should be taken to court and prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act.

What if someone saw this DVD in HMV or somewhere and bought it especially to see the extras listed on the box? When they got the disc home and played it, they would feel like they'd been conned. This practice of releasing the Region 2 DVD version of a film without the extras that are on the Region 1 release, even though the packaging on the Region 2 version lists those extras, has to be stopped.

Although there are many sections of the film that contain scenes all JW fans will appreciate, the story is a little thin and the end of the picture is a woeful anticlimax, as well as particularly dismissive of the juggernaut of American westward migration sweeping away the life of Native Americans in Hondo's last lines of the film.

Finally on dvd and with a very nice special edition, the 1953 John Wayne western "Hondo" reaches a whole new audience who wasn't even aware of the existence of this wonderful film that due to copyrigth distupes had been unavailable for more than 40 years.
Originally shot in 3D "Hondo" was directed by Wayne friend director Jonh Farrow with whom we would work the following year in The Sea Chase.
The story revolves around a cowboy who meets a widow and his son living in indian territory. Hondo and his dog wll givethe protection and eventually they become a family.
The suporting cast includes Ward Bond and Geraldin Page who got an oscar nomination.
The film is presented in is 4:3 original aspect ratio and offers nice special features.A true western classic!

Hondo has to be my favourite John Wayne film. The John Wayne makes the charactor'Hondo' very real. This is a good story with great camera work.

The best!