The centerpiece of the film's success is John Wayne's performance. Though originally intended for Glenn Ford, who declined because he didn't like director John Farrow, the role of Hondo seems tailor-made for Wayne. He's a man's man, a gentleman with the ladies, a handyman around the homestead, and the man you want by your side in a fight. He's also enlightened, offering bits of wisdom, such as “A man oughta do what he thinks is best” and “A long time ago I made me a rule. I let people do what they want to do.” Being so well rounded is what makes the character of Hondo stand out in Wayne's filmography.
The video has been given a 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC encoded transfer displayed at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. At times, the image looks very good, but the quality is inconsistent. There are warm tones in the colors. Textures are sharp, from the fringes on Hondo's coat to the stitching and wear on his saddle.
In contrast, there are many scenes where colors are faded and the focus is soft. Examples of the disparity include Ed complaining about the Calvary doesn't look as sharp or colorful, and Hondo being captured by Apaches. The soft focus can be seen when Angie discovers Hondo's identity. She is out of focus in the background. Close-ups of Vittorio, before becoming blood brothers with Johnny and before the torture of Hondo, are so soft they almost look out of focus. Both flaws can be seen when Lennie (James Arness) tries to blackmail Hondo. The scene starts with a soft focus and faded colors. After Hondo punches Lennie and a cut to and from Angie, the image has a sharper focus and brighter colors.
While presented here in 2D, Hondo was shot in 3D, which was all the rage at the time it was made. There are a few shots where action goes straight at the camera, such as a galloping horse as the film opens and a few thrusts during a knife fight, but those few moments don't detract.
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