Review of Re-Animator: Double Disc Collector`s Edition

Introduction

Based on the six-part story `Herbert West - Reanimator`, which was written by the great Gothic storyteller H. P. Lovecraft and published under the title `Grewsome Tales` in `Home Brew` magazine between September 1921 and June 1922, `Re-Animator` was first envisioned as a six-part TV show. Theatre director Stuart Gordon, together with Bill Norris and Dennis Paoli, decided to make it a two-parter, with the first three stories in part one. They were introduced to Brian Yuzna, a producer whose project had fallen through and who was looking for another - he had the money, they had the idea. Yuzna pointed out that the second part might never be commissioned, and that a better idea would be to use all six stories in one feature.

Whilst studying under Dr. Gruber in Switzerland, brilliant medical student Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) creates a serum that re-animates the dead, but he is quickly ejected from the country after an experiment involving his mentor went horribly wrong and attracted the attention of the authorities. Back in the US and studying at Miskatonic University, West resumes his research with the talented, but poor, Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) with whom he is lodging.

Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale), an eminent physician who lusts after the Dean`s daughter Meg (Barbara Crampton), girlfriend of Dan Cain, despises West for questioning his assertion that the brain only survives for 6 to 12 minutes after death. When Dr. Hill discovers that West is a genius and that his serum works, he steals his research, planning to publish it as his own and win a Nobel prize. West doesn`t take kindly to this, decapitates Hill with a spade, then re-animates him. Hill`s re-animated body, under direction from the head, knocks out West and makes off with his work in search of Meg, causing all hell to break loose in the process.

Apart from the `Re-Animator Resurrectus` featurette, this is largely the same package that was released as the `Millennium Edition` in 2002, but is now available uncut for the first time in Britain.

Video

Given that this is a PAL disc, I was concerned that this would be a poor NTSC to PAL conversion, with a reduction in quality from the excellent `Millennium Edition`. My fears were unfounded and, bizarrely, the picture quality is, if anything, even better than the R1 release, which is only 5 seconds longer! The anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer is very good, the picture is sharp and the colours and contrast are first-class.

Audio

You get the choice of DD 5.1, DTS or Stereo. The 5.1 soundtracks are impressive, with the surrounds used frequently throughout the film, especially the parts taken from Bernard Hermann`s score for `Psycho`. When the volume increases and the surrounds are used more, the dialogue can get a little swamped and I found that the stereo soundtrack was the clearest of the three.

Sadly, there are no subtitles.

Features

The package carries the exact same commentaries as on the `Millennium Edition`. On the first, director Stuart Gordon talks you through the film, from inception to distribution, filming to editing.

The second commentary with producer Brian Yuzna and actors Jeffrey Combs, Robert Sampson, Barbara Crampton and Bruce Abbott is your typical `yack-track`, as they laugh and joke throughout the running time, not adding much to your understanding and appreciation, but worth a listen.

Disc two contains everything you would expect on a `Collector`s Edition` DVD, the best of which is the 68 minute `Re-Animator Resurrectus` featurette, which is a comprehensive retrospective and a fine addition to the set.

The `Interviews` section contains interviews with Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, writer Dennis Paoli, composer Richard Band and Fangoria editor Tony Timpone. The interviews vary in length and quality, the best is Gordon and Yuzna`s, which lasts over three quarters of an hour and is revealing and interesting.

There is one deleted scene which is not contextualised by either introduction nor commentary, so I`m not sure where it would have fitted in to the film - Barbara Crampton`s breasts feature prominently though!

There are 16 extended scenes running at just over 23 minutes.

There is the original theatrical trailer and five TV spots.

The `Galleries` section has five different slideshows: Production Stills; Behind the Scenes; Fun on the Set; Poster and Advertising and Storyboard.

A Stuart Gordon biography is also included.

The DVD-Rom features are PDFs of the screenplay and the original short story.

Conclusion

Made for under a million dollars and released unrated, `Re-Animator` was not a huge theatrical hit but made its money in the home entertainment market. As word spread, videos flew off the shelves and a film that could have sunk without trace has instead become a cult classic, spawning two sequels and a third on the way.

`Re-Animator` works for many reasons: it`s based on sound source material; it`s adapted and directed with energy and wit and the cast all put in career-best performances. Indeed, Jeffrey Combs has recently seemed to reprise his role in the science fiction TV show `The 4400` playing a brilliant scientist who knows what to do with a syringe of luminous green liquid! It`s a real shame that David Gale died only five years after making this film as his performance has echoes of Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Making a film that successfully blends elements of horror and comedy is a notoriously tricky thing to do: Sam Raimi did it with `The Evil Dead`, Peter Jackson with `Braindead` and `Re-Animator` can be added to this list with its fine mix of deadpan humour and outrageous gore.

With films like `The Evil Dead`, `Basket Case`, `Poltergeist`, `Friday the 13th`, `Brain Damage` and `Society`, the 1980s were awash with horror films on VHS - some disappeared and are known only to the diehard horror fans, whereas others gained large audiences and notoriety. `Re-Animator` is a film that is loved by many people, including myself, and it`s a testament to its popularity that a high quality DVD set like this is released.

If you`re a big fan then you will likely own the `Millennium Edition` release, which is largely the same as this, but with the `Music Only` soundtrack and is THX certified. Whilst this does not have those, it does have the `Re-Animator Resurrectus` featurette, which any lover of the film should see and something that tips the balance in favour of this release. I`m not sure it`s worth a `double-dip` if you own the `Millennium Edition`, but it`s a superb replacement for the cut Tartan Video release.

If you like a good scare and a laugh, then this is a film you will undoubtedly enjoy and a set you will not regret buying.