Halloween: 35th
Anniversary Edition (1978)
Review by
Jude Felton
Yes, yes, I
know what you are all thinking; do we really need another edition of John
Carpenter’s classic boogeyman flick? I am sure most of you own at least one edition
of this wonderful movie and, more than likely another Anchor Bay version, feel
like we have bled this cash cow dry over the years. Well, the simple answer is,
yes you do need this edition.
The plot, as
if you didn’t already know, concerns Dr. Loomis’ (Donald Pleasance) attempts to
track down and find escaped killer, Michael Myers, before he makes his way back
to his hometown off Haddonfield. It’s in Haddonfield that Laurie Strode (Jamie
Lee Curtis), and friends, are getting ready for Halloween and a night of
babysitting some kids. But rest assured, the boogeyman is coming to their
little town.
There’s not
much more I can add about the film itself that probably hasn’t been said a
million times before, and probably far more eloquently. Suffice to say,
Halloween still remains the benchmark of slasher flicks, with each and every
element of the film combining to make an absolute classic. From the terrific
cast, the iconic imagery of Michael Myers and Carpenter’s monumental score, the
film is nigh-on perfection. That being said though, I did have one question
upon watching it again; why is the closet, that Laurie uses as a hiding place,
virtually empty? Did they not have clothes in 1978?
So, the film
itself would make this an essential addition to any collection that is lacking
any previous release of the film. However, when you add into the fact that this
edition contains a brand new HD transfer, which cinematographer Dean Cundey approved,
you are already onto a winner. The film looks absolutely stunning, and I am not
lying when I say that it was like watching the film for the first time again.
As well as
the amazing visual transformation, there are also great improvements in the
sound department, with a Dolby True HD 7.1 track that rocks the speakers. They really
did a wonderful job on the audio and visual areas of this Blu-ray release; the
film has never looked or sounded better, in my opinion.
If that is
not enough for you, to make you part with your hard earned cash, there are also
a few other spicy extras to whet your appetite. There’s a brand new audio
commentary from John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis, an On Location feature,
trailers, TV and Radio spots and TV version footage.
The main
selling point to me though was The Night She Came Home. This is an hour long
film which follows Jamie Lee Curtis’ visit to the 2012 HorrorHound Weekend in
Indianapolis. It follows her entire journey, and quite truthfully answers a lot
of questions that cynical “fans” raised at the time, such as her charging an
appearance fee, of which she didn’t. It’s a great film, and you really get to
see the real Curtis, and the effect she still has on the fans. Seriously, it’s
damned fine viewing and worth the price by itself.
I could go on
about how good this release is, but I think you get the picture; it’s a great
film given the treatment it deserves, with some more than worthy extras. Even
the Digibook packaging is great. Die-hards will buy it regardless of what is on
it, so it’s a real bonus that it is actually worth your money, and newcomers to
the film have the perfect release in which to start off their collection.
So, do we
need another new edition of Halloween? When it is as good as this one, yes we
do!
Halloween: 35th Anniversary Edition is released on Blu-ray from Anchor Bay on September 24th.
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