Amazon.com

Steven Spielberg's first feature film, 1971's Duel, is set on a desert highway. It stars Dennis Weaver as a driver being pursued by a menacing truck, which is following him with all the vengeance of the ancient furies. In this spiritual update from 1984, C. Thomas Howell plays a guy taking a drive-away car from Chicago to San Diego. On a whim, in the rain, and against his better judgment, he picks up a hitchhiker (Rutger Hauer). The hitcher quickly admits to being a murdering psychopath, and once Howell finally gets him out of his car, he is pursued with all the vengeance of the ancient furies. We're never sure if the hitcher is a figment of his imagination, making Howell a schizophrenic killer, or if he's real and Howell is the random victim of a wandering madman, which is how his potential new girlfriend (Jennifer Jason Leigh) thinks of him. Either way, The Hitcher is great fun, kinda scary, and teetering on the brink of "must see." --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (78)

The Hitcher is some seriously bad company...oh, yeah!
This is my favorite Rutger Hauer movie. His persona fits this role perfectly. With a good supporting cast, a well-written screenplay and an excellent musical score, Hauer drives his audience along the twisted path of a psychotic hitch-hiker who kills just about anyone who is unfortunate enough to meet him.

C. Thomas Howell plays a young man by the name of Jim Halsey, who is delivering a car to a customer in San Diego. As he travels across a lonely West Texas highway at nite, he's having trouble keeping awake and nearly runs afoul of a big-rig. When he catches a glimpse of a rain-soaked hitch-hiker (Rutger Hauer) standing on the shoulder, he stops to pick him up, against his better judgement, figuring the man's company would keep him awake.

Halsey tries to strike up a conversation with the hitcher, but the hitcher only gives him a terse and twisted tale about being out of gas and needing cigarettes. The hitcher begins to play a psychological game of words with Halsey that quickly turns into a life-threatening situation. A quick-thinking Halsey pushes the hitcher out of the moving car and speeds away, thinking that's the last he'll see of him. The hitcher seems impressed(!!!) by Halsey's escape; apparently no one else has been so lucky. The hitcher begins to pursue Halsey with a mindless obsession that leaves dead bodies and destruction all around them.

The hitcher is a master of manipulation in this film. I really liked the ending, although, if the storyline is followed accurately, it doesn't allow for a sequel with Rutger Hauer, who absolutely is the shining star of this movie. I would love to see him play this part again- it truly is his calling. As a previous Amazon reviewer noted, he doesn't have to speak a word for you to know what he is thinking and contemplating as the role of The Hitcher. His body language and facial expressions tell you all you need to know. I think this entire movie could have been done without a single line of dialogue from the hitcher and been just as effective.

Rutger is waaaay cool, the movie is awesome and it should be part of your collection if you dont have it yet. A DVD must!

Great latter-day "road" picture, genuinely terrifying.
Seeing this on HBO this morning with the negative experience of "Vanishing Point" still fresh in my mind reminded me that yes, there are some great road movies that take place in the American Southwest which do not leave the viewers questioning the significance of the film...and prefer merely to scare the hell out of them instead.

The plot is staggeringly effective in its simplicity; a college kid (C. Thomas Howell) contracts to deliver a car from Chicago to San Diego. In the desert during a storm he picks up a hitch hiker (Rutger Hauer) who doesn't bother with the pretense of winning his mobile host's faith and trust; he immediately slips into maximum creep-out mode and the kid knows he's in serious trouble within minutes as the hitcher makes it known under no uncertain terms that he has indeed killed someone in a particularly brutal fashion...and with a seeming trace of resignation and inevitability he plans to do the same to the kid.

What follows is a fortuitous escape and a series of subsequent encounters between Howell and Hauer, with entanglements involving the police, Jennifer Jason Leigh (thankfully before she picked up that horrible New England upper class accent she seemed to use in a number of her '90's roles), and more murder victims.

The encounters succeed in building a sense of escalating tension that is never satisfactorily resolved until the film's ending, which does seem somewhat contrived (minus one star for that). However, the performances of all the actors are excruciatingly believable, especially Hauer, who is genuinely disturbing. He's not some sort of supernatural teen slasher a la Jason or Freddy Krueger or (to a lesser extent) Michael Myers, classic horror movie icons all; Hauer is simply someone...ANYONE...that could cross your path without any warning or fanfare...and could make your personal terrorization his sole purpose in life. That is what makes this movie truly scary; while watching it you will clearly understand the implication that yes, this too could happen to you.

"Riders on the storm", indeed.

Where should I begin?!
Ok, one of my favourite movies ever, this is. I know it seems strange now, it isn't an epic with outstanding performances and great set pieces and all that, it's just a plain old, fun 80s horror road movie, but I just love it all the same.

Rutger Hauer is imensely scary as a (not so freaky killer like Jason or Michael, nor a gruesome killer) but a sharp, haunting character with an icy personality. C Thomas Howell is very good as a young teenager. He starts off in the film to be a bit geeky, but once he meets Hauer he starts to get a little freaky himself. They are basically the two main characters in this.

The film -- as you probably know -- is about C Thomas Howell delivering a drive-away car (let me just say I don't like the review from Digibiong! because he says there is a mistake on the license plate of the car, but it's a drive-away car so it doesn't matter) and he has to deliver it to San Dieago, on the way he picks up a stranger on the road, he seems like a nice guy, but he turns out to be quite psychotic. Howell is able to push the stranger out of the car and carry on down the road, but the hitcher isn't done yet, he starts to play a deadly game with Howell, like getting the police onto him, framing him, killing people in front of his eyes and all stuff like that. The film doesn't drag at the start, it starts off straight away with Howell picking the stranger up and it gets darker and darker every time.

The gore in this film isn't that bad, we do HEAR a woman get pulled apart, but we don't SEE it. We never really do see a lot of deaths happen in the film, but I think that's what makes the film scary. It can be very atmospheric at times, but a lot of the scary parts happen in the day-time. When we come to the conclusion it gets a little dissapointing since it doesn't go on for long and I was expecting a great confrontation.

So, that's "the hitcher", one of my favourite movies. Road movies are my favourite genre of movies and here are a couple more good ones:

Breakdown
Convoy
Duel
Hitcher 2: I've been waiting

Absolutely MAGNIFICENT one of the greats of the 80s
Like many, I saw this totally haunting film late night on HBO by myself as a child. The opening scene is quite simply perfectly executed, and one of the most frightening and realistic scenes ever put to film. The atmosphere in this film is so wonderful, and the writing first rate. The leads are utterly convincing -- real props to Howell who has a difficult role. I am in love with the Southwest, and in a odd way this film is a great meditation on the wilderness down here too -- kind of like Thelma & Louise. What American films should be like.

More Than Just A Ride!
One of the scariest movies I have ever seen, The Hitcher is relentless in its intensity. Jim Halsey (C. Howell) picks up a hitchhiker (R. Hauer) on his way to San Diego who soon admits he killed his last ride. Hauer says, "You know that driver from that last car? I cut off his legs". It doesn't take more than that before Jim is able to trick and force the 'hitcher' out of his car. Thinking that it's over, Jim soon sees the hitcher riding in another family's car, knowing he will kill them all. Reporting him to the police is of no use and even after they capture him, he pulls a shocking twist on everyone. Jim befriends a lonely waitress (J. J. Leigh) who believes his story, but soon she ends up in the middle (literally) between them (the most revolting scene in the film). It's a suspenseful, non-stop, killer maniac fright ride. It becomes clear the hitcher is out to frame Jim for multiple murders or kill him. The ending is just as frightening as the rest, but I guarantee you won't leave this film feeling good - just shaken up. Not for the squeamish, but maybe a good date movie. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Do Research Before Paying 150.00 For This!!!!!
I've found info on-line stating that Quatermass and the pit / Quatermass 2 is coming back in print on July 27th 2004. Can't say for sure if this info is correct. But you might what to look around before you get taken advantage of.

Finally! Hammer Horror Classics Available...Two for One!!!!
I have been waiting for the re-release of these movies, especially the final movie in the trilogy, Quatermass and the Pit, for a long time. I saw both of these as second billed movies way, way back when I was young......Quatermass 2(called "Enemy From Space" in the U.S.A.), when I was really young, and Quatermass and the Pit (called Five Million Miles to Earth...) when I was a teen. Both movies are super creepy, in the old fashioned sense........not a lot of fantastic special effects, but enough to keep the stories moving along. The effects are certainly powerful though, and really well done considering.........they are a tribute to the incredible talent at work making these films, and they are great examples of Hammer Films at their best. Both are good, well written, original stories, with the emphasis on acting and great directing. It is great storytelling.....and unfortunately some of the last of the great films to come out of Hammer Studios. Standout acting from all involved, and that is the key to believing these stories.......pretty fantastic stories, played straight all the way through. Professor Quatermass is such a great character, with a long history in British film and TV..... and Brian Donlevy in Quatermass 2 and Andrew Kier in Quatermass and the Pit are standouts. Anchor Bay does such a good job with these old film releases.....if you are a Sci-Fi nut, this is certainly a double bill you would be proud to have in your collection. Great job, and thank you Anchor Bay!! Finally!!!
ENJOY!!!!! ... Read more

Description

A legendary seven-hour silent crime serial in ten episodes. "Les Vampires" follows the exploits of a brazen and resourceful band of arch-criminals who rob the rich, transfix the elite of France, and almost elude the obsessive pursuit of crusading journalist Phillipe Guerande and his sidekick Mazamette. A series of Grand Vampires with names such as Satanas and Venomous share the irresistible Irma Vep (an anagram of "vampire") as strategist and mistress. Sometimes seductively garbed in a black body stocking and a black hood, sometimes disguised as a boy or hidden in plain view as a maid, stenographer or bourgeois spinster, feared and desired by both her cohorts and stalkers, Irma is perhaps the first liberated screen woman. Shot off-the-cuff by writer-director Louis Feuillade in the streets and interiors of 1915 Paris, "Les Vampires" was banned by the Paris police for glorifying crime. A smash hit when finally released, and for fifty years celebrated as a masterpiece of French cinema, "Les Vampires" is complete and restored, with English titles and inserts, tints and an evocative orchestral score. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

A masterpiece
Some directors have to see this work. You don't need special
effects and fancy things to achive a good film. Emotion, good
scenario and a lot of personal feeling. A classic for all times.
Some movies of the french and german cinema (1910-1935) have to be the standards for people who are involved with cinema.
Les Vampires is one of them.
Sometimes the acting in the episodes is a bit naiv but this is normal for that era.
The people who like cinema must own this work.

That's Entertainment
I have to confess that I first saw "Les Vampires" for academic reasons; because of its influence on the Surrealist movement. But now, having seen the entire series (lovingly restored) on its own terms, I think "Les Vampires" is just what it was originally meant to be-- an exciting, humorous adventure story and sort of a precursor of James Bond. The basic idea is that an investigative reporter becomes privy to the secrets of a criminal gang called "The Vampires" and manages to foil many of their plans. At the same time, WE become privy to the plans and in-fighting that go on between the Vampires and other criminal gangs. The main continuing character on the Vampires' side is Irma Vep, a beautiful cross between Mata Hari, Houdini and John Dillinger. At some point she falls prey to a criminal hypnotist, but she is always an interesting character in her own right and often sympathetic.

Technically, the DVD is wonderful; it contains the entire series on one disk, as well as several promotional films starring members of the cast. The film itself is transfered very well and is appropriately tinted; the entire project was obviously a labor of love, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

yeah...
This is just to second the previous reviewer. My DVD has the
&#$%@^% sensor tag on it as well. I can't seem to get the glue off. My advice is to hold off on buying this (brilliant, would be 5 stars+) DVD until you can be sure that tag isn't on there. For $70, this sort of gaffe can be immensely irritating.

Arrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhh!!!
I know -- this is a classic of world cinema, and it's seven hours of heaven to people who love film. Which is what makes this review so frustrating. When I opened this, I noticed that all seven hours is contained on one disc. The DVD is two-sided, which is technically brilliant, and not something I'm that familiar with seeing. Unfortunately, someone should have told the distributor about it, because when you order from amazon, you will receive your DVD with a great big sensor tag smack in the middle of what someone obviously thought was the blank side of the DVD. Removing it ruins the film. Oh, and opening the box to see if your tag is on there violates amazon's returns policy. Amazon, I love you guys, you're the best game in town, but this is a bit of a hiccup. Maybe the sensor tag only went on a couple of these suckers -- I dunno. I'd like to get the film but ordering it again will be a gamble -- a sensor tag this time or not?

Les Vampires
I saw parts of this on TCM,but missed a few chapters.
This is one of the best movies I've seen.It's a classic.For
those who like silent movies,get your hands on a copy by
any means!! ... Read more

Description

The son of Satan has come and he will rise to power in an attempt to take over the world. Includes all four films in the horrifying film series: "The Omen" (1976, 111 min.), "Damien: Omen 2" (1978, 107 min.), "Omen 3: The Final Conflict" (1981, 108 min.) and the made-for-television "Omen 4: The Awakening" (1991, 97 min.). ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Part 1 Is 5 - Star Excellent, 2's Really Good, Last 2 Bad
Rarely regarded as one of the great horror movie series, "The Omen" movies tell the story of Damien Thorn, the Antichrist (and later his daughter). They range from excellent to shlock, as most horror film trilogies do. This boxed set features all four "Omen" films"

1976's "The Omen" is the first and best of the series. I think it is better than the grossly overrated "The Exorcist", as this one has a more disturbing and realistic plot line. Robert and Kathy Thorn (Gregory Peck and Lee Remick) are an English governmnet official and his wife have given birth to a stillborn child. Kathy doens't know, so Robert adopts one and passes it off as the dead baby. Baby Damien becomes the light of their life. Then when he turns 5, eerie stuff begins to happen. First, his nanny commits suicide. Then a priest comes to see Thorn at his ofice and urges him to kill his son, saying he's the Antichrist, the son of Satan. Soon, a rapid - fire series of coincidences resulting in the deaths of people around Damien make Robert grwo suspicous. He and a photographer David Warner investigate. But it isn't until Warner is killed (in one of the best movie deaths ever) that Robert realizes the truth.

This is a great horror movie. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick turn in their best latter - day performances and prove that there was a place for aging screen vets in Hollywood other than tv movies and "That's Entertainment". Jerry Goldsmith's chilling score is the best I've ever heard in a horror film and he deserved the Oscar he won for it. Extras are several excellent documentaries, trailers and audio commentaries.

1978's "Damien: Omen 2" takes place 7 years later. Damine is now 12 years old, living with his aunt and uncle (Lee Grant and William Holden). This sequel marks a turning point in the series, as Damien is now aware of who he really is. At first, he's scared but soon grows to enjoy them.

This film is lesser than the first one but provides some genuine jitters, especially the "Designing Women" guy stuck in the elevator and the frightening ending. Also, Holden and Grant turn in excllent performances.

"Omen III: The Final Conflict" is where the series really began to slip. Damien (Sam Neil) is now 32 years old and is intent on world dominaton. Whn he soon realizes Christ is coming back for the final battle between good and evil, he soon becomes more ruthlss than ever, going as far as to kill infants. This made me sick. The only thing I liked in this one was that it had a happy ending. The acting is wooden. It's hard to believe that a 5 - year old (the first one's Harvey Stevens) can do Damien better than Sam Neil. Fortunately, Neil found his voice and became one of the most versatile (and well - known) character actors ever. The only thing here other than the acting is another spooky Jerry Goldsmith score.

"Omen IV: The Awakening" tried teribly to resurrect the series. Karen and Gene York adopt a baby and the same things that happen in the first one happen here, only here it stinks. That's all I have to say about this movie.

Overall, a good boxed set of classic horror movies that will scare you to death. The first two are worth watching but the last two are horrible. Best to get the first two separately.

The Five Stars Is Really For Part One
"The Omen" saga is one of the most enduring (albeit longest - running) horror movie franchises in film history, spanning over 16 years and feature Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, William Holden, Lee Grant and Sam Neill in top - notch performances.

The first film is undoubtedly the best in the series, and the main sreason why I gave the set five stars. I tend to like this movie more than the grossly overrated "The Excorcist" because unlike that one this one has a more realistic storyline, plus it did not feature arguably the greatest and bloodiest beheading sequence ever filmed (just wait til you see it, it's amazing). It also features screen legends Gregory Peck (who unfortuneatley left us in June of last year) and Lee Remick in their latter - day prime, as this film undoubtedly proved that there still was a place for aging screen veterans in cinemas other than "That's Entertainment". I also remember being afraid of Jerry Goldsmith's eerie score for the film, especially the gregorian chants (one of them was nominated for an Oscar). All in all, this film is truly scary.

1978's "Damien: Omen 2" is a somewhat lesser sequel. It documents Damien going through his adolescent years. It is also odd to learn that in this film that Damien himself realizes he's the son of the devil. And while it's not as good as the first one, it does feature some truly disturbing moments (the scene with the man stuck in the elevator is eerily reminiscent of Part One's beheading sequence) and features about the same level of star power, as Lee Grant and William Holden are very good in their respective roles.

"Omen 3: The Final Conflict" is when the series begins to slip. It jumps ahead about 19 or so years past the second one. Damien (the usually excellent Sam Neill) is now the U.S. Ambassador awaiting the return of Christ and the final battle between good and evil. Damien then comes up with this rediculous idea of killing babies (how sickening even for a horror movie) before he reaches his last confrontation with The Lord. Unlike the previous two, this chapter of "The Omen" has a happy ending, as ...

In 1991, HBO resurrected the "Omen series with "Omen 4: The Awakening". I hated it. It tells the story of Delia, a seemingly harmless girl who lives with rich, wealthy parents who adopted her. But starnge things happen wherever she goes. And just about every single sequence in the film is an obvious copy of everything that happened in the first part, from the nanny falling out of the window to the ending sequencewhen the main character is shot (though in this one, the main character shoots herself). As you watch it, you can't help think if this made - for - tv junk is the work of Satan himself.

Overall, this isn't a really bad set. It does feature the excellent first chapter and the down but not out second part. Maybe parts 3 & 4 are lesser but are needed if you want to learn the full root of Damian's evil ways (and besides, if you are interested in part 4, you have to get the boxed set, as it is not available seperately). So I do think this is an essential set, especially if you are fan of horror movies.

Inteligent horror
Some of the best horror movies out there, intelligent horror is hard to make, they made three great movies. Fantastic really!

good for it's time but that isn't saying much
OMEN - I'm sure when this movie came out it scared the socks off
people. There were definately some eerie moments within
the film. The book of Revelation has always fascinated me
along with the scriptures that tell about the rise of
the Antichrist. As for the Omen, it held my interest but
seemed to drag at times. Despite the slow pace of the
movie, it was in no way boring. Though you don't get to
see much of the 5 year old Damien (the Antichrist),
his character development is still portrayed during the
film. I give OMEN *** stars.

DAMIEN - Known as OMEN II, this movie is probably the best in
the series. Here we see 13 year old Damien brilliantly
portrayed along with his roots of power. Damien is
smart and cunning. When he learns who he is, Damien
takes desperate measures to ensure that no one close to
him betrays his trust. For the most part, there are no
slow spots within the movie and whether you like the
first Omen or not I'm sure this sequel is sure to
please. I give DAMIEN **** stars.

FINAL CONFLICT - The third Omen in the series takes a bit of a
nose dive from the previous film. Damien is 32
years old and is now in control of the world
powers. If you expect this movie to show the
ruthless reign of the Antichrist, you will be
sorely disappointed. I won't spoil the movie
for anyone who hasn't seen it but I do have a
particular complaint; though this movie gives
accurate scripture references it does not
present the audience with accurate events of
the Antichrist during his reign of power. For
example, Jesus in not going to be born a second
time here on earth. Also, the Antichrist is not
defeated until 3-4 years after he wages a war
on the nations. (Yes, I am a Christian and if
someone is going to make a movie that tells
about the rise and fall of the Antichrist then
the movie needs to stay in accordance with the
scriptures of the Bible). Another complaint I
have is that this movie drags out even more so
than the first one. Unless you want to see the
conclusion of what happens to Damien (as I'm
sure that most people will), this is not a
movie that I would recommend.
I give FINAL CONFLICT ** stars.

AWAKENING - As far as I am concerned, this is the last Omen in
the series that should have never existed. Do I say
that because this Omen is not related to the
previous three? To a certain degree, yes. As for the
movie itself, the fourth Omen was a "made for TV"
movie and it shows. Now don't misunderstand me, I'm
not saying that all TV made movies are bad but this
one definately had a mediocre script. The girl in
this movie is the daughter of Damien (the previous
Antichrist). To sum up the plot, the girl shows her
evil power in various yet ridiculous ways. The fouth
Omen is the Halloween III of the series if you will.
For the most part, it is irrelevent to the preivous
films that somehow spawned it.
I give AWAKENING * star due to the last third of the
movie being interesting.

Great movies at an unbeatable price
This deal really cant be beat. Although the fourth was dysmisal, the first one was classic, the second excellent, and the third interesting.

While not cram packed with extras (and I do wish the omen legacy dvd had been included!) - the first is a special edition with a 45 minute documentary, 666:Curse or coincidence featurette, Jerry Goldsmith discussing his score, and more. The second and third have trailers and full length audio commentaries. The fourth has nothing except trailers for the others (which doesn't make much sense since there is a trailer for the fourth on the omen legacy disc) -- but overall this is a steal. ... Read more

Reviews (344)

...Let's go carve ourselves a witch.
Evil Dead 2, while technically a sequel, holds very little in common with "Evil Dead." Evil Dead was one of the scariest, creepiest, and grossest films I've ever seen. Evil Dead 2 is one of the funniest!

The gore in Evil Dead II is WAY over the top. (If you've seen Arthur's battle with the Black Knight in "Monty Python's Holy Grail"... THAT'S the sort of gore I'm talking about.) Campy lines are thrown around in here the like you've not heard since the Batman TV series.

The Premise: Ash (Ashley Williams for those who saw the first one) and his girlfriend drive up to a secluded cabin in the woods for a weekend of fun. They come across a tape recording of ancient incantations...that, when played, release an unseen evil that stalks them. When the cabin owner's daughter and team show up, the evil comes for them all!

If you don't try to take this movie seriously, you won't be dissapointed. One of the film's scenes was once rated in the top ten fight scenes of all time: Ash versus... his hand.

Now, for the DVD goodies!
First, the DVD and "booklet" come in a tin! I was impressed by the tin and the arwork on it, but the booklet is a bit of a let-down. The pictures in it are simply screen grabs (and not very good ones) from the movie.
THX and Widescreen add back what's been missing all these years. It's nice to see (clearer!) all of the bits we've been missing and the 5.1 audio tracks make those chase scenes sound like you're right there!
The featurette 'The Gore the Merrier' is fantastic and left me wanting more! It would be great to see more of the behind the scenes antics of this crew, as it's plain to see (hear in the commentary) that they had fun making the film.
And, the teaser for the video game "Evil Dead: Hail to the King" has me chomping at the bit! I can't wait to play a game as Ash! "You want a little??"

If you're an Evil Dead fan, this Limited Edition MUST be in your collection. If you just like slapstick/comedy/horror, you can't lose with this one.

When it comes down to it, if legions of undead started roaming the Earth, I'd want Ash nearby! Not just for protection, but also for comic relief!

Demon Madness
Evil runs wild in the exciting comedy-horror favorite "Evil Dead: Dead by Dawn". In the deep woods, an unspeakable evil force has been unleashed and torments a traveler (Bruce Campbell) and those around him. Director Sam Raimi's horror spectacle is an amazing combination of creepy stylish horror and hilarious slapstick comedy. The movie contains some terrific camerawork, effective visuals effects and memorable gross-out scenes. Bruce Campbell's vivid performance as unlikely hero Ash is another good highlight of the film. The cult favorite is presented in both standard full screen and 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen formats. Its picture quality is reasonably sharp with good contrast. The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is enjoyable with lively surround effects. This DVD contains audio commentaries with filmmaker Sam Raimi and cast member Bruce Campbell, an amusing behind-the-scenes featurette and original theatrical trailer. The animated menus are excellent. Overall, "Evil Dead II" scores a "B+".

Back To The Cabin...
Bruce Campbell returns as Ash, the sole survivor of the first EVIL DEAD demon fest. This time out, he must battle the evil spirit in himself! Sam Raimi pulls out all the bloody stops to unleash a tale of possession gone mad! Campbell's solo performance during the first part of the film is a total trip! He is chased, flattened, thrown, carried through the air, and indwelt by that accursed horror from the blood-inked pages of the Book Of The Dead! This movie is either hilariously scary, or Terrifyingly hysterical. A perfect follow up to it's more serious predecessor. Would make an excellent triple feature with DEAD ALIVE and RE-ANIMATOR. Highly recommended...

fun x2
The thrills have increased, and so have the chills. This is by far the scariest movie out of the triology. In a way, i dont fully understand it, because why would Bruce Campbell venture with his new girl friend all the way back up to the cabin where the original massacre happened? I mean its not like you would forget something like that so easily, i mean come on! But besides some incredibly stupid moves, this movie is still pretty good.

Much Better Than The First
Gorier, better, and over all a much better movie than the First. Bloody stabbings, chainsaw action, rotting corpses, removal of body parts, decapitations and lots of blood and green goo. ... Read more

Description

In 1897, Quentin Collins and Magda the gypsy discover the mysterious urn which contains the flames of life for Laura Collins, an immortal Phoenix. Jenny Collins, Quentin's insane wife, escapes from her basement cell at Collinwood and attempts to kill Quentin. Magda, Jenny's sister, places a curse on Quentin which causes him to turn into a werewolf during a full moon. Jamison Collins finds Barnabas' coffin in the Old House basement and reveals the discovery to his father Edward. Carl Collins returns from Atlantic City with a showgirl and mentalist named Pansy Faye. She uses her psychic abilities during a seance to help determine the fate of servant Dirk Wilkins, who rises as a vampire after being attacked by Barnabas. Bonuses: Includes exclusive interviews with actors David Selby, John Karlen, Kathryn Leigh Scott and Terry Crawford. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Back Into The Past
Barnabus finds the I-Ching Wands which he uses to go back into the past where he manages to get out of the coffin which imprisoned him the first time. He then uses Magda and her husband as slaves, and changes history so the Quentin does not get killed. Count Petoffi enters the picture and is indirectly responsible for making Quentin Immortal. Dirk gets used as a scape goat and turned into a vampire. Eventually Julia will also come into the past after Angelique also comes into the past. This section of the past is filled with new action and many events that keep the person interested. Oh yes, remember to keep an eye out for The second reverend Trask who is a hypocrite that discovers Barnabus' secret and kills himself in the end. Josette Dupris also comes back in a recarnation. Any one who liked Dark Shadows will certainly enjoy this chain of events and the one that will be released in September ... Read more

Description

Weird! Wild! Wood! The most legendary B-movie director of all time, Edward D. Wood, Jr. assaulted audiences worldwide with a string of bizarre, no-budget fusions of horror, science fiction, noir and comedy. Now his oddball legacy is finally collected in one indispensable box set! Feast your eyes on his first feature, the madcap Glen or Glenda? in which Eddie himself portrays a transvestite struggling with his addiction to angora while Bela Lugosi offers inscrutable narration. Blackmail, outlaws on the run, and plastic surgery collide in the surreal crime drama Jail Bait, featuring a young Steve Reeves (Hercules), while Bela returns to create the Bride of the Monster in a heady collision of atomic experiments, a rampaging octopus and clumsy assistant Lobo (played by wrestler Tor Johnson). Wood's indisputable disasterpiece, Plan 9 from Outer Space, offers pie-plate flying saucers, incompetent alien leaders, all-seeing psychic Criswell, goth favorite Vampira and a post-mortem appearance by Lugosi himself in his last film role. Then Lobo and a phony spiritualist usher in a Night of the Ghouls at a spooky marsh filled with shuffling undead and wailing ghosts. Finally, learn all about the man himself with The Haunted World of Ed Wood, a comprehensive disc packed with interviews, film clips, TV rarities and much more! It's enough to make you scream! ... Read more

Description

One of the most nerve-wracking and exciting films ever made, Henri-Georges Clouzot's masterpiece won the Grand Prize at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. An American oil company enlists four tough drifters for a high-paying suicide mission-transporting explosives across the rough terrain of Central America. Criterion is proud to present Wages of Fear in its original 148-minute version. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Not for the weak minded...
"The Wages Of Fear" by director Henri-Georges Clouzot is a classic example of an action/suspense film for the thinking man. Filmed almost fifty years ago, the story and cinematography hold up well, much better than those of many American films that were produced during that time frame, c. 1955.

The story: Four drifters (presumably in exile from native France) are hired to drive two tanker trucks of nitro glycerine through rugged South American terrain in order to to extinguish an oil well fire. In the series of events that follows, the four encounter a variety of circumstances that threaten to end the road trip and send them to kingdom come.

"The Wages Of Fear" is not the sort of film that you'll see on "Dinner and a Movie"; The landscape, the cast and the ensuing events as portrayed in the movie typify a sort of squalid existence that most people, fortunately, never have to deal with. "The Wages Of Fear" is most definitely NOT a "date" film.

The film is french, in glorious black and white, with subtitles and some spoken english. Yves Montand and Charles Vanel give solid performances, as do Peter van Eyck and Folco Lulli. The direction of Clouzot helps to wonderfully illustrate the unfolding story of the four, and is simply outstanding.

A previous reviewer mentioned that a 1977 remake, William Friedken's "Sorcerer," is also a good film. He's absolutely correct; it is. However, "Sorcerer," was filmed in color, not black and white. And because the film's spoken language is English, the tone of the film is a little different. "Sorcerer" is a little bit softer around the edges, and not as dark.

"The Wages Of Fear" isn't a film that I'd like to watch on a regular basis - it is a rather dark film. However, it is worth seeing more than once. It's an impressive film.

Cult French production sees four men risk their lives...
Highly celebrated French film by director Henri-Georges Clouzot has achieved near cult status amongst fans of intelligent, psychological drama. Impressive black & white 1953 production excels in it's microscopic view of four personalities under intense pressure to succeed in a deadly quest.

Well known plot concerns four down & out drifters in isolated South American village accept $2,000 pay check's to transport two trucks loaded with nitro glycerine to extinguish oil well fire. Obstacles abound on their perilous quest with precarious mountain roads, dangerous landslides, burst oil pipes, ageing equipment and clash of personalities amongst motley crew. Yves Montand (Mario) & Charles Vanel (Joe) lead an engaging cast as reckless men with nothing to lose...except their lives. Marvellous support performances given by stern Peter van Eyck (Bimba) and animated Folco Lulli (Luigi) as the second crew of foolhardy truck drivers.

Seems unusual for Criterion to not accompany this release with additional materials...as is usually their style. Transfer to DVD is very good, except for occassional appearance of vertical white line at different stages of the film. Sound is crisp and clean too !

A suspenseful, perspicacious film that definitely possess's it's own distinct approach...film afficiando's will not be dissappointed by this fine production.

Unforgettable Film
"The Wages of Fear" is considered one of the truly great films. It not only delivers terrific suspense and excitement, it is also a rather telling comment on the human condition. Some drifters are trapped in a hot, bug-infested South American hell-hole. They are out of luck, out of money and seemingly doomed to remain where they are, fighting hunger, heat and each other. Suddenly, they are offered a small fortune to drive trucks through the jungle, across a mountain range to a destination 300 miles distant. The catch ? The trucks are loaded with nitroglycerine--one bump--one spark--one mistake--and the truck and any unfortunate humans on board are history.

Four men agree to drive two trucks, and their journey will have you biting your finger-nails down to your elbows ! All four actors are fine, with Yves Montand particularly memorable in the lead. I agree with the reviewer who notes that the first half hour of the film is slow, but it sets the mood. It's important to understand why these characters would volunteer for such a "mission impossible", even for a big payday.

The film has a chilling message about the lengths that people will go for money. I couldn't help but consider some of the "reality" television programs we see today like "Fear Factor". It's sad to see what indignities and dangers people will subject themselves to just to make a buck, and how easily they can be exploited.

The picture quality of the DVD is fine. I was surprised to find no extras, given that this is a Criterion release. An interview with one of our current, respected directors would have been a nice bonus. I'm sure that a film buff like Martin Scorsese would have some fascinating comments. Then again--I'm sure he's a busy guy !

Bottom line--a timeless masterpiece for serious film collectors.

A superb suspense an anthological film
Wages of fear is one of the milestones in all the cinema's story.
The lives of two men engaged in a mission that you qualify as no sense. And so that's precisely the most relevant point.
How far can the greed, the ambition generate such tension state when you accept the special condition of carrying this special delivery?
Montand an actor that grew up with la port de la nuit, years before makes an outstanding performance.
The film, far from being dated, it revalues with the years. Maybe this film is the masterpiece of Clouzot.
And it constitutes one of the eleven best french films of that ddecade, together with Rififi, Forbidden games, The four hundred blows, Elevator to the gallows, The amants, Bob le flambeur, Les cousins, Diary of a country priest, Pickpocket and le travesee de Paris.
Buy it this DVD. You'll be always rewarded.

A great film but the first part is boring.
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

This is one of the most exciting films that I have seen. The first 35 minutes I think are nonessential to the plot and knind of boring.

In the film, an oil well in South America catches fire and the only way to put it out is with nitroglycerin. There is a stockpile in a town some 300 miles away. The only problem is that they don't have refrigerated trucks. Nitro melts at 86ºF and when in liquid form, the slightest bump can cause it to go off. They hire a team of 4 to carry a couple tons of is across dangerous mountain roads in 2 trucks to where the fire is.

The film will have you on the edge of your seat as they encounter obstacles and poor road conditions. There is a scene when there is a boulder blocking the road and they use the nirto to blow it up.

There are no special features in this edition but it is still a great film that I would like to see remade. ... Read more

Reviews (192)

Revenge from the grave drives fog shrouded tale.
"It is told by the fisherman, and their fathers and grandfathers, that when the fog returns to Antonio Bay, the men at the bottom of the sea will rise up and search for the campfire that led to their dark and icy death." So ends the campfire tale told by Mr. Machen (the wonderful John Houseman) that begins John Carpenter's The Fog. But this is no ordinary ghost yarn to entertain children, it is part history and part prophecy...for as the chruch bell tolls the midnight hour, and the town of Antonio Bay turns one hundred years old, a thick, glowing fog bank forms on the horizon and drifts towards land.

The Fog is one of my personal favorite Carpenter films. It's well written for its kind (low budget horror), well acted by its cast of seasoned character actors, beautifully photographed by Dean Cundy, and director John Carpenter creates more than a few effective set pieces while contributing what may be, in my opinion, one of his finest film scores.

One can certainly grumble that the movie is guilty of replicating the cheap scares and story arc of Halloween (anonymous figures lunging through doors, a town haunted by a traumatic event in its past that, on the anniversary of said event, is forced to relive it yet again), but it's a formula that works and The Fog (like Romero's zombie sequels) presents the material in a fresh and invigorating way. The only flaw I can find in the video is that it is pan and scanned, which spoils some of Carpenter/Cundy's beautiful images (as well as hampering Carpenter's trademarked 'they are sneaking up behind you' shots) the biggest letdown is the great shot of the fog swooping in on and engulfing Stevie Wayne's house. See this film letterboxed for its full effect. I have the laserdisc release, but where is that DVD edition MGM/UA has been promising? Required viewing for horror buffs.

Classic ghost story, not for the nervous
THE FOG (USA 1979): While celebrating its centenary birthday, a small Californian coastal town is visited by a ghostly fog containing an army of murderous spirits who take revenge for a terrible injustice.

Released on a wave of expectation following the worldwide success of John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN (1978), THE FOG surprised everyone by underperforming at the US box-office. Which is a shame, because it's arguably the better of the two films. Beautifully photographed in widescreen Panavision by Carpenter stalwart Dean Cundey (who went on to Hollywood glory with the likes of BACK TO THE FUTURE, JURASSIC PARK and APOLLO 13), this unassuming 'ghost story' opens on a lonely clifftop at midnight, where a crusty old sea dog (John Houseman) tells an audience of wide-eyed children how their home town was built on the foundations of tragedy. As with HALLOWEEN, the pace is slow but steady, and Carpenter judges the shocks and scares with consummate ease, and there's a relentless accumulation of details which belies the script's modest ambitions. Jamie Lee Curtis headlines the movie opposite her real life mother Janet Leigh, though Hal Holbrook takes the acting honors as a frightened priest who realizes the town was founded on deception and murder. As the fog rolls in, the narrative reaches an apocalyptic crescendo, as most of the major players find themselves besieged by zombie-like phantoms inside an antiquated church, in scenes reminiscent of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968). Scary stuff, to be sure, though Carpenter was forced to add new material during post-production in an effort to 'beef up' the movie's horror quotient, including a memorable late-night encounter between a fishing boat and the occupants of a ghostly schooner which looms out of the swirling fog (similar scenes would be added to HALLOWEEN II [1981] for the same reasons, though under less agreeable circumstances). Production values are rock solid, and Carpenter cranks up the tension throughout, resulting in a small masterpiece of American Gothic. Recommended, though nervous viewers are advised that this one is genuinely frightening in places.

MGM's region 1 DVD - which runs 89m 30s, minus the MGM logos at beginning and end which weren't part of the original film - letterboxes the Panavision frame at 2.35:1 (anamorphically enhanced). A full-screen version is also included on the disc, which utterly destroys the movie's beautiful compositions and should be avoided at all costs. Picture quality is grainy in places but OK overall, and there's a choice of soundtracks: The original 2.0 mono version (very good) or a revamped Dolby 5.1 version, which adds a little bass to the proceedings but nothing truly significant. English captions and subtitles are provided. Extras include the usual trailers and production notes, along with a couple of documentaries (one from 1980, the other recorded specifically for this DVD) and an audio commentary by Carpenter and co-writer/producer Debra Hill. There's also a series of outtakes, during which illustrious thesps Holbrook and Houseman can be heard swearing like troopers!

The Fog is a Good Film (Looks a bit dated)
This film is in the era of the late seventies/early eighties new wave style horror films:Halloween/Carrie/Creepshow etc.
At the time not one of the greatest but it seems to grow on you the more you watch it!!
The opening sequence with the Edgar Allen Poe quote,the electronic type of music typical of the era and the atmospheric camp fire with the children.It has a ghostly seafaring feel,which draws you in.

The actors typical John Carpenter (Jamie Leigh Curtis,Hal Halbrook etc.)Also Tom Atkins character who starts off very go lucky but ends up very sullen and serious!!

The end scenes are truly scary and very atmospheric.Worth a second glance.

The Fog..!! -Another; -Halloween..!! -A great ride..!!
This is even better then; -John Carpenter's. -Biggie.
Halloween. -This is a really frightening tale focusing
this time on a community resort town. -Which is haunted
by vengenfull spirit's of it's past..

This film was directed by; -John Carpenter. -Ho made
what this film inteded two be today.. -It is tilterd
and; -edgy style; -like; -Halloween.. -But in a different
style. -Different location.. -Their is no town of
Haddonfield.. -But in the way of a ghostly small
community.. -Much like an; -Amityville movie.. -Way..?

Their are a lot of elements that are in this low budget
that throw back too John's; -Halloween. -Flick..! -Which is
my all time favorite.. -A lot of critics hate this jargen.
Becuase it was not like; -"Halloween.." -Or; -The Assault on
Precint 13th.. -Which is not in my favor as a horror movie..?
The Fog is a fun ride.. -Yes; -the film is a little lame at
times.. -But also offers us some novelty of the town's past.
and ho the characters are in this town..

This is; -John Carpenter's; -real; -Halloween. -But any
way.. -Not in the spirit.. -Or in that style.. -This is
written by; -John Carpenter.. -Ho doe's a really good
job in directing a lowbudget kind of horror flick..

The Movie stars; -Jamie Lee Curtis.. -Once agian; -being
scared at a monster ho isn't afraid of stabbing..? -Ho
gets in his way..! -It all begins at the beginning when
children are at a campfire; -they sit around it..? -The
old fisher man. -Played by; -John Housemen.. -Bring's us a
local tale of the Elizabeth Dane.. -And her sailors that
died in the bottom of the ocean..?

Tomarrow is the 20th anniversary of those murder's..! -One
by one; -people across this land will be murdered..! -But
ho will stop the killers in time for the big celebration..?
Adrieanne Barbuel.. -Creepshow.. -1982.. -Swamp Thing..
Learns by that as a light house disk jockey..? -Ho is so
dumb in not paying attention two the slasher formula..

What I mean is; -"She shooed be running out the front
door.." -Not the back door.." -It is insulting.." -A
line from; -"Scream.." -1996.. -Neve Campbell.. -I
loved that line..! -It made me laugh.. -But I don't
admire it.. -But Jamie Lee Curtis.. -Is in love with
her friend. -Nick Castle.. -Played by; -Atkins.. -From
Halloween III: -Season of the Witch.. -1982..

Ho both act kind dumb threw out the movie..? -Those two
shooed of stay in characters..! -Instead they are soley

seperated.. -But they save some townie's at the end..?

Their are some moments in this film..! -I love the part
from the beginning when some sleepless drunks on some
bird watching ship.. -Get two stupid and drunk..! -The
dead sailors come and kill them..?

I even enjoyed the Lighthouse sequence where the actress
here's the voice of the dead sailors ho want's his stone back..?
which really creep me out..? -Threw the middle of the
movie.. -And the body in the morgue..! -Which is an old

trick too scare people..! -But that don't scare me any
more..

The Fog.. -1980.. -Fail's in many way's..! -It did not
tell what the real audience wants..? -As why the sailor's
vowl two plot revenge.. -Why they had two die becuase of
them.. -This is an; -o.k. -Halloween. -Type; -film..!

The cast looks good..! -The DVD Edition is top notch..!
and the flick even is not out dated..!

Very good try..!

A good old fashioned ghost story with an edge
Ok, for the hyped up Gen-Y and other young 'uns, "The Fog" might seem a little slow, with little gore and a bunch of no-name actors (except for Jamie Leigh Curtis, the original Scream Queen!). However, people who dismiss this horror movie really don't know what they are missing. John Carpentar was at his best setting up creepy, uncomfortable moods in his audience (see Halloween, The Thing) and he does a great job of creating a spooky ghost story. His use of John Houseman (who was in another movie aptly titled "Ghost Story") to introduce the background story of the movie was brilliant, as was the casting of mother and daughter Janet Leigh & Jamie Leigh Curtis (a first for these two actresses). Adrienne Barbeau is arguably the lead in this movie; she does a credible job of playing a mom who is terrified for her son and will fight anything that tries to hurt him even though she is alone in a lighthouse!!! My biggest complain about this movie is the music; John Carpentar likes to write his own movie scores and while he did create one of the most chilling, recognizable horror song in "Halloween", his tin-sounding, Casio-keyboard synthesized music for "The Fog" was annoying and at times overpowering. For the ultimate scare, this movie is best watched late at night, alone, on a foggy October evening. ... Read more

Reviews (151)

"It will remind us...after all...that we are not God..."
"It will remind us...after all...that we are not God..."

--Leslie Nielsen as Commander J.J. Adams in the final scene of FORBIDDEN PLANET.

SENSATIONAL SCREENPLAY!!! FANTASTIC MUSIC!!!
EXCELLENT ACTING!!! The producers of FORBIDDEN PLANET took Shakepeare's "The Tempest," teleported the play on the flying saucer C 57-D in the year 2200 AD past the speed of light to the planet Altair 4, threw in a mad scientist, Dr. Edward Morbius--veteran of 100 movies, Canadian Walter Pidgeon--played him opposite a young, rugged handsome space commander--another Canadian, Leslie Nielsen as J.J. Adams, an unusual blend of leading man, space captain, military man, and detective--gave the mad scientist a beautiful daughter named Altaira--21 year old beautiful blonde with a mole Anne Francis, the rumored model for the Barbie Doll--surrounded the leads with terrific character actors like Jack Kelly, Warren Stevens, Earl Holliman, and Richard Anderson (best known as THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN's Oscar Goldman), and then created the GREATEST ROBOT EVER, Robby, master of "187 languages and a variety of subtongues" who serves Morbius and his daughter as security guard, chauffeur, chef, butler, and even occasional dressmaker!--lines by Marvin Miller, the classic voice for the 1950s tv show, "The Millionaire"--mixed in Freudian Psychology, a murder mystery, ray guns, THE HOUSE OF THE FUTURE, an invisible Monster From the Id, OUT OF THIS WORLD BACKGROUNDS, and the result is FORBIDDEN PLANET is a boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl science fiction story with a white hot finish!

Or as Leslie Nielsen says in the final scene,
"It will remind us...after all...that we are not God..."

Chari Krishnan
RESEARCHKING

A "hand-crafted" masterpiece of science fiction.
Forbidden Planet is easily one of the finest science fiction movies ever made. Although released in 1956, it still compares favorably with much flashier movies from more recent years. The film is not a "blast-fest" in the Star Wars style, but blends modest action and beautiful hand painted special effects with a fascinating study of basic human nature. Those expecting 1950's B-movie special effects will be pleasantly surprised, as top quality hand rendered artwork abounds, as well as a flying saucer with no strings attached! Also, one of the more memorable big-screen automatons, Robby the Robot, appears in much of the film. The movie also contains some of the best sci-fi film music ever recorded, as it rises and falls to the mood of the scenes. To complement the attractive visuals and sounds is excellent casting, with Walter Pidgeon perfectly suited to the imperious Dr. Morbius. Fine performances by Leslie Nielsen and Anne Francis, among others, help create a dramatic tension you can feel as the film nears its climax. Monsters, mystery and a little humor make Forbidden Planet a genuine classic, which any sci-fi fan should take time to enjoy!

Great Sci-Fi
Like all good film science fiction, "Forbidden Planet" keeps its concepts simple but their ramifications grand, which is just one of the reasons it is a timeless classic. Made at a time when sci-fi was the junk that kept restless kids in theater seats on Saturday afternoons, this ambitious take on Shakespeare's "The Tempest" nonetheless also aims for adults that grew up on the pulp fiction of the 1920s and 30s. (Its delightful production design is a seamless mix of colors, forms, and shapes familiar from those imaginative magazine covers.) The premise is Star Trek a decade before Star Trek, as a military cruiser commanded by the hard-nosed but humane J.J. Adams (Leslie Nielsen doing an effective melodramatic turn) visits a world populated by a secretive scholar (a wonderful Walter Pidgeon), his curious daughter (a sometimes grating Ann Francis), their robot butler (the epitome of mechanical men) and a mostly unseen terror (illustrated by topnotch Disney animators). Beyond great special effects and an innovative musical score, the film also engages a firm--if now familiar--science fiction plot, unlike so many of the noisy and expensive but ultimately overwrought and empty-headed sci-fi movies of today.

The best of science fiction
This has to be my favorite movie about space travel and alien life. The landing of an exploration spaceship is believable and the technology is also reasonable. When they encounter invisible forces they are frightened and cautious.
They encounter a former explorer who has taken up residence and is a great scientist. Tremendous computer knowledge and Krell metal are just samples of the far out technology. Robbie the robot makes entertaining fun for young folks and there's not much violence - a real plus, I think.

"Civilization without instrumentalities?"
There are a handful of 1950's sci-fi movies that have a big reputation - "When Worlds Collide", "The Thing From Another World", "Forbidden Planet", and "The Day the Earth Stood Still". Unfortunately, only "The Day The Earth Stood Still" really stands up (except the robot).

This movie has big concepts, and none of them work anymore, if they ever did. Part thriller, part drama, part mad-scientist melodrama. There are just too many things going on, and all of them "supposedly" explained in long-winded speeches that answer nothing.

"Forbidden Planet" starts off looking much like Star Trek TOS, including the transporter. In reality, ST:TOS creator Gene Roddenberry admits this movie formed part of the basis for Star Trek. In a nutshell, a United Planets space cruiser captained by Leslie Nielsen lands on Altair, against the wishes of its inhabitant, Dr. Morbius, a remnant from a previous expedition. He and his 25 year old daughter (Anne Francis) are the only humans on the planet. There is also a robot called "Robbie" that goes on to stardom in the "Lost in Space" series. The doctor reluctantly shows the others his discovery about an ancient extinct race called the Krell. The "big" ending is too weird and funny to be described.

The entire robot aspect and the tasks he performs is just silly (in the "Lost In Space" vein). Earl Holliman's character of "Cookie" was put in for comedic effect - unfortunately most has to do with his dealings with the robot - including getting the robot to make bourbon - which only adds to the silliness.

The actors are quite serious and for the most part are OK. Leslie Nielsen plays it straight. Anne Francis is entertaining as the daughter. Though initially somewhat innocent and ignorant of sex, as might be guessed, the captain ends up with her.

The sets are incredibly hokey. The all-electronic score does not help. Ambitious, atrociously fake special effects that probably were OK in 1956. Possibly the goofiest sci-fi movie ever. Don't get me wrong - this is a well-made and well-intentioned movie, but as with "When Worlds Collide" and "The Thing...", it is recommended only for a laugh.

A further insult is that the robot is not accurately depicted (wrong "face" and hands) on the DVD cover, and he never holds anyone in his arms. ... Read more

Description

The greatest horror film of all! A long time ago in middle Europe, a decrepit, forbidding castle stood. Casting an ominous shadow over the townspeople who dare not look upon it, the unholy dwelling is home to one Count Orlok (Max Schreck), an undead night creature with a taste for human blood. Showcasing the extremely eerie Schreck, "Nosferatu" is the first screen adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic novel "Dracula," stylistically directed by the legendary F.W. Murnau. Now available in this gorgeous newly remastered and rescored by The Silent Orchestra in 5.1 audio. ... Read more

Reviews (137)

Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens
If Todd Browning's "Dracula" is about the sound of Bela Lugosi's accented voice saying "Good Evening," then F. W. Murnau's "Nosferatu" is about the sights of Max Schreck's grostesque figure rising up out of his coffin. The fact that this is a silent film actually adds to the atmospheric tension; think of the moment when the death ship slips into the port of Bremen, carrying its cargo of death. The story is clearly Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (although the names have been changed to pretend otherwise and avoid paying the author's estate), and this 1922 film is actually more faithful than most versions of the novel, which almost invariably avoid the actual conclusion to the tale. Murnau's version ends with vampire's downfall being caused by a sacrifice based on the love of Ellen Hutter (Greta Schroder, the "Mina" character) for Thomas (Gustav von Wangenehim as the "Jonathan Harker" character). Even though Schreck's "Count Orlok" is clearly an example of German Expressionism with his gaunt countenance and immensely long talons he stalks his prey through a decidedly realistic 19th-century world, which also somehow magically adds to the film's effectiveness. Similarly, the "special effects" are nothing more than such rudimentary tricks as stop motion and double exposure, but none the less potent for their simplicity. Perhaps the greatest testament to this film is that directors who have filmed the Dracula story since "Nosferatu" have included homages to Murnau's masterpiece, from Browning (the actor playing the count is also the coachman) to Coppola (the count's terrifying shadow cast large on the wall). When released in 1922 this film was also known as "Nosferatu the Vampire," "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror," "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror," and even "Terror of Dracula." The 1998 reissue title in the United States was "Nosferatu: The First Vampire."

The Best Dracula Movie Ever
This movie is a beatifully shot and brilliantly told version of Bram Stoker's novel. Unfortunately for its makers, it was also an unofficial one, and they were sued by Stoker's widow. Maybe if she knew what some of the later Dracula movies would be like, she wouldn't have done that. I prefer "Nosferatu" to the Bela Lugosi version (which was not bad, but a bit cheesy even for an old movie), the Christopher Lee version "Horror of Dracula" (which was quite good), and the Gary Oldman version (which was weak in my opinion). "Nosferatu" is a silent film, so don't see it unless you're in the mood to read! I saw it on T.V. on Halloween, when I was recovering from surgery, and I was very impressed with the film. It's a truly different cinematic experience. The nature shots and castle shots are beatiful but eerie, and the title villian is chilling rather than corny. He's very menacing, with none of the romantic appeal often associated with Dracula but all of the sinister presence. Seeing the scene on the ship, it seems as though "Nosferatu" paved the way for the soulless killer archetype later represtented in "Halloween" (among other films). And boy, is he ugly! The scene where he looks at the guy who cut his hand is easily the scariest version of that scene ever filmed. I did find the ending a bit anticlimatic, but it is one of those endings that's anticlimatic in a somehow charming way (also similar to "Halloween," not in content but in feel). This atmospheric picture is not only a fun and spooky film to view, but it also appears to be quite influencial on the horror genre.

WARNING: The soundtrack to this movie is horrible. Remember, back in the silent era of cinema the music was added by some guy at the movie theater playing the piano, so there was never any official original soundtrack to "Nosferatu." Still, the people who restored it could have done without the tropical island music that couldn't be more out of place in a 1922 German film. They might as well have put a hip hop soundtrack to the movie. I'm serious, it's really that out of place. However, this didn't bother me too much, and it shouldn't bother you. Why? Because it's a silent film. Just MUTE the [darn] thing!

Creepy Atmospheric Classic
I recall seeing this film as a child, around the age of 9 or so, and being scared witless by Max Schreck's Count Orlok. Schreck's vampyre still remains ultra creepy ~ those long, clawlike hands, those deepset eyes, those scraggly sharp teeth ~ and perhaps my favorite incarnation of the bloodsucking undead. The photography of the Carpathian countryside is breathtaking, adding authentic atmosphere to the setting. You are, actually, 'there'. The special effects are also impressive for the time, and the tinting of the film, I believe, is original. Many silent films were tinted: blue for night, red for danger, sepia or orange for bright day, green for other effects. I make a plug for Greta Schroeder, who did an admirable job of pacing distractedly, filled with awful foreboding. I was quite satisified with the choice of soundtracks on the DVD, and my 17-year-old son had a blast switching between them as the mood struck. You ought to see this at least once ~ it's the one that started them all.

let's have the guts to admit it - this is BORING
I suppose only those that like this movie will check the reviews. Mostly to read about how others like the movie as well as they do. But lord, what a boring movie this is. I don't care if it's a "classic," I don't care how revered it is. Just because it's old and silent and the "first" movie about vampires/Dracula, does NOT mean that this is a good movie. I've seen plenty of silent movies, and it's true that most are boring, but some can be entertaining (I liked 1913's Cleopatra, for example). Nosferatu, on the other hand, is a bore. The mass of the story deals with people traveling, so you have tons of time wasted on someone walking, or riding a horse through vast landscapes, or having a ship drift through water. Walking and walking, riding, going places all the time - and never spending much time on the story when they actually GET THERE! It's such a terrible letdown. All this build up, and not much payoff. The director of this movie was obsessed with "filler." Filling time, wasting time, "just keep walking." Parts that were meant to be scary sometimes work. But barely. Count Orlock does look creepy (like a rat, or a bat creature, whatever...), and there are a few scenes of eerie looking shadows against walls. But that's about it. Sometimes Count Orlock looks silly, like when he's walking through town carrying a coffin as if it were light as cardboard (which it probably was). Worst of all, they took away the black and white of this movie by adding tints. So you get blues and greens and pinks. Horrible. Also, the music - well, enough people have complained about the music. It doesn't fit, especially near the beginning when it's just upbeat sounding and la-la-la happy silly and stupid. Grrr. I hated this movie. Glad I finally watched it, since it has such a reputation, but whew - what a pile. Don't buy into "this is great because it's so old" nonsense. This is boring, plain and simple. - Let the "not helpful" clicks begin!

Nosferatu - Special Edition
Nosferatu is definetly a classic film ; not only in the genre but also out of all movies.This was the first Silent film I've ever seen.And I was suprised that it actually held my attention.Count Orlock (The Vampire) was extremely chilly and haunting.The music was also well composed.I've heard there are many versions of the film so I think I've seen a very good one.It is a very dark haunting story.The castles and Carpathians add to the mood that was set for the film.I've also heard that there was a big lawsuit that Bram Stoker's wife made against the maker.This is a truly deep and intriguing movie for it's time and quality.Make sure to check it out.F.W. Murnau's German silent classic is the original--and some say most frightening--DRACULA adaptation, taking Bram Stoker's novel and turning it into a haunting, shadowy dream full of dread. Names had to be changed from the novel when Stoker's wife charged his novel was being filmed without proper permission. Running times vary depending upon versions of the film. Count Orlok, the rodentlike vampire frighteningly portrayed by Max Schreck, is perhaps the most animalistic screen portrayal of a vampire ever filmed. The design was copied by Werner Herzog in his 1979 remake and by Tobe Hooper for his telefilm of Stephen King's SALEM'S LOT that same year. NOSFERATU is an eerie, menacing film that should not be missed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Describing Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise as an update of the classic Phantom of the Opera doesn't do justice to this demented movie. While De Palma's Hitchcock homages have sometimes led him into dead ends, this rock & roll remake seems to have liberated De Palma's imagination, and the result is weird and funny, with the scruffy underground spirit of the director's early pictures. The Phantom is one Winslow Leach (William Finley), a nerdy songwriter whose "pop cantata" on the subject of Faust is stolen by a freakish, Phil Spector-like rock impresario called Swan (Paul Williams). After getting his head caught in a vinyl-LP compressor, Leach is transformed into a masked creature, haunting Swan's music palace, the Paradise. De Palma proves how nimbly he can establish narrative rhythm: the story moves like a cannon shot, and the musical numbers (especially in the Alice Cooper-like Paradise sequences) are brilliantly cut. The movie seems to predict the Studio 54 scene, MTV, and punk rock--the last, especially, in the figure of Beef, a screeching singer played by the unhinged Gerrit Graham. The songs were written by Paul Williams, that diminutive '70s music icon (he cowrote the Barbra Streisand wet noodle "Evergreen"), and his performance is a reminder of his peculiar, self-spoofing presence: at one point, the preening Swan announces, "You know how I abhor perfection in anyone but myself." Comedy, musical, horror film, '70s artifact--this movie isn't quite definable, and that's what's wonderful about it. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (101)

The movie that made me a DePalma fanatic
The first Brian DePalma movie I ever saw was "Body Double" with Melanie Griffith. I was not impressed and didn't think much of DePalma as a director. But that was before I saw "Phantom of the Paradise," DePalma's lunatic hybrid of "Faust," "Phantom of the Opera," "Frankenstein," and "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

I first read about "Phantom of the Paradise" in Danny Peary's book "Cult Movies 2." It sounded too good to be true, and I was thrilled to find a used copy at a video store's clearance sale. The movie turned out to be even better than I'd imagined. The movie seemed to have a bit of everything: horror, comedy, music, and melodrama. It gave me a newfound respect for Paul Williams, and it made me an instant Brian DePalma fanatic. Soon, I was seeking out all of his early classics -- "Greetings," "Carrie," "Blow Out," and the mind-boggling "Sisters."

The DVD of "Phantom" contains almost no extras (except for a trailer and an alternate French soundtrack), but the picture and sound are satisfactory... at least compared to my worn-out VHS copy. It's just too bad DePalma didn't do a commentary track. Then again, he hasn't recorded commentaries for ANY of his movies yet as far as I know.

Great Movie
Phantom of the Paradise is a '70s rock version of Phantom of the Opera. Winslow is a composer whose music is stolen by a famous producer named Swan. During all of this, Winslow ends up falling for Phoenix and only wants her to sing his songs. Meanwhile, Swan plans to open a new rock palace called The Paradise using Winslow's music - with a few changes.

Phantom of the Paradise actually borrows more from the 1962 version of Phantom of the Opera where the Phantom gets his music stolen and his face is disfigured by acid while trying to destroy the printing plates of his stolen music. In Paradise, Winslow's face is injured while trying to destroy the recordings of the stolen music. Paradise really combines the plots of the 1962 Opera and the play Faust.

Thanks to the truth behind the character of Swan (Paul Williams) the movie does have a Twilight Zone quality to it. You even have Rod Serling speaking at the beginning. Brian DePalma likes to borrow from Hitchcock, and he has an interesting and humorous variation on Psycho's shower scene here. It also takes elements from The Picture of Dorian Gray.

It does poke some fun at the music industry and some of the insanity of those in it. The movie takes a humorous approach to things - the scenes where Winslow is sentenced was done by using a very basic set and just two lines. May come across as silly to some but the style of parts like that add to the fun. Parts of this movie are not to be taken seriously. (I can't really explain without doing spoilers.)

Paul Williams wrote a nice variety of music for this movie - 50s style for the opening scene. One piece reminds me of The Beach Boys. A somewhat darker song is used during staged construction of Beef. The closing song could be viewed as comments on people who had been corrupted by the biz - plus it's humorous. (You'll find some better comments on the songs in the reviews for the soundtrack. I'm not a music pro.) Everyone except for Gerrit Graham does their own singing. In fact, the three groups in the movie are played by the same three artists. They just switch off on who plays the lead singer.

The DVD is a wonderful edition of the movie. Image quality is great considering the age. A trailer that doesn't even have the movie's title in it is included as well as trailers for other movies including Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The movie does have some truly weird moments, but I love it!

A few trivia notes: Sissy Spacek was set dresser on this movie. Archie Hahn, who sings "Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye," has appeared on the UK version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Gerritt Graham starred in Used Cars. Jessica Harper appeared in the movies Shock Treatment and Harper Valley PTA.

In the back of the Signet Classic edition of Gaston Leroux's Phantom of the Opera, this movie is mentioned and there is a reference to The Paradise looking like New York's Museum of Natural History. (p271) Phantom of the Paradise was filmed in Dallas, TX. The Paradise and most of the musical moments were filmed at The Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas. In 1991, I saw Ken Hill's musical version of Phantom of the Opera there which added a nice touch for me. Swan's office building (exterior shots) was at one point owned by Mobil Oil, but I'm not sure if they owned it when this movie was made. Although it's changed alot since 1974, it is along Stemmons Frwy (I-35E) just after Carpenter's Frwy (183) joins it when going south. This same building appeared in Logan's Run.

Phantom of the Paradise was also mentioned in the program for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera and the same material was published in some special editions of the Gaston Leroux novel. I believe the writer was Peter Haining. He described Phantom of the Paradise as simply having The Phantom terrorizing teenyboppers. That does not fit this movie at all. I really wish people would watch a movie before reviewing it.

What is this~?
What's up with this film? It was my waste of money, and I saw anything good in it. Why is this film has almost 5 stars? American thing it must be.....worst class, worst art, and worst story. I want my money back. I would rather spend it for MacDonald Sandwhich or something.

A golden treasure !
This film is unique. De Palma was in a efervescence creative in this decade as fery few directors in the story. I think the next film in his career Carrie mad the people forgot this one, who in many aspects goes beyond Carrie due his artistic character and innovative resources.
Once more De Palma accepts the challenging duel to adapt this classic version but set and described from another perspective.
This film also allowed him to follow his bliss wothout the powerful presence of Hitchcok .

In other order of ideas , something similar happened with Chabrol , the french master , but the difference in the case of Chabrol is his major versality.
De Palma has reached the peak with this one. You feel Sisters and Phantom as his major achievements in this decade.
Don't forget one film that in a way was a twisted wrench of this one : I'm talking about the rocky horror picture show.
This was a decade in which the concern about others ways of expression were in the minds of many film makers.
Think in Ken Ruseell with Tommy , Jewison with Jesuchrist , Robin Hardy with The wicker man , Dario Argento with the cat with nine tails , The clockwise orange , Badlands , The harder they come , Pink flamingos, Walkabout , Don't look now or the honey moon killers. You felt besides the desperate spirit of the german cinema Fassbinder , Wenders (Paris Texas) , Herzog , Hauff and the french cinema under the kingdom of Truffaut , Chabrol , Molinaro Pierre Granier Deferre and Claude Sautet . This decade experienced an authentical creative and innovative tour de force in what concerns with new themes and proposals.
That's why this film wins, because it kept his level and status and still remains.
Watch this one and it will become one of your favorites!

Overlooked rock music film which was somewhat prophetic
The 1974 rock music film Phantom Of The Paradise is perhaps one of the most unusual and intriguing films i've ever come to know. This film was one of Brian DePalma's best films to date next to 1976's Carrie, 1983's masterwork Scarface and 1987's The Untouchables. The film is seen as somewhat as a rock and roll version of Phantom Of The Opera but it's a film about getting revenge on those who have hurt us. The hero in the film is nerdy and disgruntled composer Winslow Leach(played by William Finley) whose rock cantata about the magician 'Faust' whom was stolen by music impressario Swan. Swan had his own record label Death Records(originally Swan Song before Led Zeppelin coincidentally came up with the record label name and the producers changed the label to Death) and his own music channel(predated MTV by many years. Swan then proceeds and destroys Leach's life (steals the lovely Phoenix from Winslow, ha