DARK WINDS (Season 1 to 3)

The first adaptation of Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee book series came in 1991 as The Dark Winds, which was later described as a “false start” by executive producer Robert Redford. The classic movie star clashed creatively with documentary filmmaker Errol Morris during what would be the director’s fiction debut, but he ultimately left before the film was completed. Redford, however, persevered, and his passion project finally came to fruition thirty years later as the acclaimed AMC series Dark Winds, which would be his final work before his passing in 2025. With a fourth season currently airing in the United States, Seasons 1 to 3 are now available together on Blu-ray through Acorn Media International. It turns out, dropping “The” from the title did wonders.

Set in Navajo Country near Arizona during the 1970s, this procedural crime series follows the highly seasoned and jaded police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and his two deputy officers, Jim Chee and Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito. Bound by culture, tradition and superstition, not only is Dark Winds an ode to the naturally rugged beauty of the region, but it is also empowering to the Native American people, who are carrying the fire for future generations. It’s a welcome series given the checkered history of the minority’s representation, but it’s far from “Law & Order in the desert.” The rich mixing of popular genres makes for an engaging viewing experience but leaves room for ambiguity, allowing the viewer to ponder over the mystery that remains after each case is solved. Fans of HBO’s True Detective will no doubt enjoy the series’s darker themes and aesthetic, while followers of FX’s Fargo will delight in its quirky humour and supernatural undercurrent. However, for many viewers, the show’s paranormal elements seem to be a point of contention, with many citing them as a distraction rather than contributing to the stories. Admittedly, they do feel a bit tacked on during the first season, but gradually become more refined and significant as the episodes stack up.

Like the police procedurals of yesteryear, Dark Winds also includes several eye-catching guest stars who come in the form of friend and foe. Such as Season 1 antagonist, FBI agent Whitover, played reprehensibly by Noah Emmerich, who only seems to care about where John Wayne took a shit rather than solving Murder. Meanwhile, A. Martinez, who appeared in many cop shows during the “actual” 1970s, probably experienced flashbacks donning a black and white uniform once again. Of course, guest stars can never outshine the lead, and Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn maintains a quiet cool. While short in stature, he’s a throwback to a classic western hero, who’s brave and morally grounded. Zhan is a commanding presence, embodying the spiritual nature that surrounds Dark Winds.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Show Me More: Dark Winds

Extras are obviously light, but with any new series, there is always an abundance of material online, and in the case of Dark Winds, you’ll find plenty of behind-the-scenes and interviews with the cast and crew on AMC’s YouTube channel.

VIDEO AND AUDIO

Presented 2:1 widescreen, the cinematic quality of Dark Wind ranks with the most prestigious of series. Season 1 offers a very bright image with vibrant colours that enhance the desert landscape. In fact, the image quality is so impressive that it made me forget about my TV’s blotchy backlight that’s slowly driving me to madness. Season 2 seems to have opted for a noticeably darker aesthetic, with many daylight scenes appearing as if they’re stuck in a constant state of sunrise/sunset. DTS-HD provides a solid 2.0 stereo track, and while dialogue can be a little low at times, the soundtrack pops along with various hits from the 70s.

Dark Winds Season 1 to 3 is a very economical Blu-ray set spread evenly over 6 discs and coming in at a total run time of 915 minutes. Here in Australia, some labels have developed a habit of producing bloated editions, so it’s nice to have something that only occupies minimal shelf space. Season 3 is also available individually on DVD & Blu-ray through Acorn.

DARK WINDS
(2022, creator: Graham Roland)