“The Salvation” has finally placed me on the Mads Mikkelsen bandwagon. I was a huge fan of “The Hunt”, but the Danes are just killing it with their westerns. Turning the backlands of South Africa into a pitch perfect stand-in for The Old West helps to set the stage for a mature western. Taking cues from “High Noon”, the film focuses on a Danish immigrant who avenges his family’s murder. Now, this has attracted a local gang leader wanting to kill the guy for avenging his family.
Mikkelsen and Eva Green both help to create a modern Western that should be demanding far more attention from the mainstream. The two play their roles big, as the little town in this world is painted in broad strokes with broad defined people living big lives. In a way, it almost plays like a Frank Miller western. But, the style choices are strictly contemplative and Northern. I love the return to Westerns like this, as so many felt like they had to play as either “Unforgiven” or “Open Range” for so long.
The Blu-Ray comes with interviews, featurette and a trailer as the special features. The A/V Quality is stunning. The 1080p transfer approaches reference quality with its lush vistas. If that’s not enough, the DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track makes the violence come to life. “The Salvation” must be purchased.
Release Date: OUT NOW!