I've just finished watching the most recent UK release on DVD. Released on the 20th April 2015. There are no bells and or whistles here. Thankfully from my perspective there are no time wasting extras. No pretentious and or condescending special features in other words, not even a trailer. Other than the feature itself all you have access to is the chapters, but then there is nothing special about doing that is there? This is actually a replacement for a copy that Amazon provided some while back. An import from Belgium or the Netherlands (I forget which off hand), where you could not toggle off the subtitles. You either watched it in French with English subtitles, or in English where one had to put up with the French subtitles. In this case there are no subtitles at all. The inclusion of English subtitles for the hard of hearing might have been a good idea, if nothing else, but even that is not an option here.This particular version has something of a better quality picture than the imported version, which pleases this picture perfectionist no end, though it does show it's age a bit. One is making allowances for when it was made. As to the film itself. It's not the best western ever made, that's for sure; but it's not the worst that I've seen either. The worst western ever is The Gatling Gun, but that's another story for another time. The Hunting Party is not on a par with The Wild Bunch and a few others I could mention but will refrain from naming. Nevertheless I like the simplicity of it. The fact that Gene Hackman is present has resulted in my giving it a plus 1 bonus to my original rating of 6.As a final footnote. Frank Calder and his men are described by some reviewers as a bunch of outlaws. This is not the case. They happen to be a group of gun-hands on their way to join a range war, as is clearly stated in the early stages of the film.

When you watch western movies from the late 60's early 70's, the quality is very uneven. Some films are spaced-out, sort of hippie-style nonsense while others are highly watchable and very modern. Some are even masterpieces. So, my point is just that you never know what to expect. This one is quite OK, in fact it's better than I expected. It is very intense and qlearly influenced by the Italian westerns in terms of camera work and sceneries. It is a bit too long though, and a bit too violent. There's no real explanation for the behaviour of Hackman's character, so I can't help but feel that it could have been a great movie because there's so much more you could have extracted from this plot.

A straight off the 'French Connection pre- Poseidon Adventure Gene Hackman is the wealthy and salacious Rancher Brandt Ruger who departs on a hunting party leaving his beautiful trophy teacher wife a post 'Soldier Blue' Candice Bergan she's abducted by the famous outlaw Frank Calder a superb Oliver Reed who is looking to be taught how to read by Bergan. Reed is joined by LQ Jones who is better known from being one of the blundering pursuers from 'The Wild Bunch' plays a sleazy role here. Mitchell Ryan 'the General from 'Lethal Weapon' is Reed's close friend. pursuing them is Hackman, and the late GD Spradlin' Godfather Part II' 'The Hunting Party' is nothing short of excellent, it is also incredibly violent.

I'll start out by saying that this film did not have the greatest director or editor in the world but the outcome was a film full of thrills.From the very beginning we are introduced to variations of pretty unlikable and ruthless people. Brandt Ruger (Gene Hackman)is a rich farmer who clearly doesn't give a damn about his wife (Candice Bergen). After he have left on a hunting trip, his wife who helps out the school teacher is kidnapped by a gang of outlaws so she can teach their leader Frank (Oliver Reed) to read. Apparently he wants to become a bigger man and reading is the next step. He have of course no idea that the womans husband is even scarier than his whole gang combined.After stumping cigarettes on a Chinese hooker and having a pretty fun night Brandt is awaken by the news. Infuriated and equipped with the long range rifles he and his rich pals for a hunting party with the mission to kill the entire gang and save his wife.This must be one of the darkest films ever made. It could best be described as misanthropic. I felt a complete rush while watching this. As the hunting party starts their game everything can happen and the suspense is extreme. Incredibly entertaining and completely uninterested in the worth of a human life. This film is more merciless than The Wild Bunch.This is most certainly a film about anger and revenge! And what this may cause. It shows violence for what it is: Ugly and brutal! I can see why this has such a low rating. A lot of people will obviously reject such material but if your a fan of The Great Silence, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Rabid Dogs and films of this kind it's most definitely for you. A great story indeed. A must for fans of western and grit.