Does a good DVD of this 1981 film exist anywhere in the world? I saw it theatrically as a 14-year-old fan of the Clayton Moore TV series, and remember being incredibly disappointed and bored. I don't recall anything about the experience besides that. I doubt I was wrong, but after recently listening to John Barry's fine soundtrack, I'm curious to revisit the film. Amazon.com mentions a DVD that appears to be R2, but is 1.33:1 according to the specs (also OOP). Is there a decent widescreen DVD of LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER in any region?

I was a big fan of the show, and recall being very annoyed by the news that Universal or the Wrathers filed an injunction against Moore, prohibiting him to wear the Lone Ranger mask in public. Considering there would have been no film at all (in retrospect, the studio probably wishes that were the case) if not for Moore's portrayal and his love for the character keeping it in the public eye, that was a real slap in the face to fans that went a long way towards engendering negative vibes towards LEGEND before it was ever released.

Wasn't there also a lot of bad publicity when it was revealed that the lead actor's voice was dubbed?

I remember it being a bit boring and too much of the film elapsed before he put his mask on (presumably made with both eyes on the sequels rather than on the quality of the film itself).

I think there was even worse publicity when it was revealed that the lead actors name was Klinton Spilsbury.

According to Wikipedia, his voice was dubbed by James Keach.

Wouldn't you love to know what this guy's doing today? Can you think of anyone else who made his film debut playing the lead in a huge studio movie, and then never again acted anywhere in film or television?

I loved this when I saw it as an 8 1/2 year old and I went on a little Lone Ranger kick that summer. Part of me would love to see it again for nostalgia value. Part of me knows that's a bad idea. Kids have terrible taste sometimes.

I seem to remember that he was a model, and the producers probably took notice of other films of the era (SUPERMAN, FLASH GORDON) that cast unknowns in the heroic lead and figured they'd have the same success. I also recall a news story of Spilsbury being very difficult and getting into an on-set fight. True or not who knows, but there was hardly a stampede to cast him in anything else.

It would be interesting to see a widescreen presentation of the movie, as my only memories are of the home video release (was that Magnetic Video?) but at the time I didn't think it was quite the stinkerama that the critics made it out to be. As an adult I may feel otherwise. William Fraker made MONTE WALSH, a film I love, and I would have hoped for a better western adventure than LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER ultimately proved to be. Maybe that's what happens when you've got a Klinton Spilsbury in the saddle versus a Lee Marvin.

Poking around the web I read that Spilsbury lives quite comfortably off family money in LA, or so rumor has it. So he rode off into a cushy sunset.

Wow - that takes me back! Anyone else get a nostalgic twang at the mention of Magnetic or Key Video? Why was it that Fox released through them?

At the dawn of home video, the studios were iffy on the notion of releasing movies on tape. Andre Blay convinced Fox to license him their movies and provide the backing to start Magnetic Video, arguably the first home video company (Bob Blair's VCI started around the same time, making them the first independent, and Fotomat came on the scene with rental exclusives a little later). Eventually, Fox took full control of Magnetic and Blay left the company, and it was rechristened with Fox's name. Key Video was a sublabel Fox started initially for "B" product and catalog titles.

LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER, however, was produced by ITC, which initially had a licensing deal with Magnetic, as did Avco Embassy, Viacom, and Brut Productions. It was released to theatres by Universal, who bought Associated Film Distribution, a company formed 50/50 by UK outfits ITC and EMI to release their product.

Granada owns the rights now, barring any interference from The Wrather Corporation, and I think Lionsgate still has the rights to their '70's ITC titles.

Thinking back now Magnetic Video had many of those ITC / AFD titles - MARCH OR DIE, ESCAPE TO ATHENA, RAISE THE TITANIC, SATURN 3, THE MUPPET MOVIE, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL, VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED, THE BIG SLEEP, etc. Movies like DOGPOUND SHUFFLE, 92 IN THE SHADE and RUSSIAN ROULETTE turned up on Key Video.

Coming soon to a DVD player near you?

Sorry, I missed this thread.

The film's available in the UK, from Network (who licence ITC titles from Granada).

Details here.