JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonThe Hitcher (1986) - Footage Included
October 25th 2006 00:34
The Hitcher
DVD Cover
Writer:Eric Red
Starring:Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Lee, C Thomas Howell
“My mother told me to never do this”.-Jim Halsey
Dark, moody and impossible to ignore this is a slow burn thriller for the ages. The open road has seldom been this menacing in a story writer Eric Reid (Bad Moon, Near Dark, Body Parts) says was inspired by The Doors song Riders on the Storm.
Paid to drive a car from Chicago to L.A, a scruffy and tired Jim Halsey (C Thomas Howell) picks up hitchhiker John Ryder (Rutger Hauer) for company and with that begins a bloody game of mind, body and metal.
Hurtling towards his destination Jim is in over his head from the start. Quickly he learns that to survive he must outthink, out drive and out shoot the vicious maniac that delights in tormenting him.
“Because I cut off his legs... and his arms... and his Head. And I'm going to do the same to you.”-John Ryder
Forced to react, pushed beyond his limits Jim is relentlessly hunted. Sunshine becomes as frightening as moonlight, sleepless, the tension builds, the landscape and the tar foreboding, reeking of death. There is no solace or place to hide and very soon no choices.
"Damn that Deckard, where is he."
Back in 1986, while all my friends got fake ID’s so they could drink, I had one made up so I could sneak into this forbidden treasure.
I had read reviews, heard whispers and generally got myself to the point where I absolutely had to see this film, no matter what the price. Fortunately it didn’t cost many dollars and cents and the film has stayed with me ever since.
Dripping in menace, the cinematography and score engulf you with eerie atmosphere, cold violence and spectacular visuals.
Deliberately paced, the economic script moulds the characters, moving along at maximum velocity, in the process delivering some unforgettable action stunt work, carnage and suspense.
Rutger Hauer (Sin City, Flesh and Blood, Soldier of Orange, Mr Stitch) is at his chilling and charismatic best in a role to rival the mighty Roy Batty in Blade Runner. He is a force of nature in this; blue eyes piercing the soul, cold face almost tearing flesh from the bone.
C Thomas Howell (Soul man, The Outsiders, Red Dawn) was petrified of him on set and it shows, with one of his best screen appearances. Jennifer Jason Leigh (Last Exit to Brooklyn, Existenz, Hudsucker Proxy, Rush) makes her role as the waitress Nash memorable, adding weight to what was on the page.
Reworked countless times since but never so effectively, the cast, writer and director deserve credit for their daring words, performances and cinematic storytelling that make this seemingly simple tale more than just another B grade hack job.
The DVD:
Presented in 2:35:1 aspect and boosted by 5.1 Dolby digital audio the main feature is shown the respect it deserves. Alas there are no extras to speak of.
You can see the first 8 nail biting minutes of the film below.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
We do indeed share a remarkably similar taste in movies. Probably an easy assumption to make, but our aesthetic sensibilities are alligned for sure.
I have a Region 2 DVD of this baby. 2-disc with extra features including:
* feature commentary from Robert Harmon and Eric Red
* selected scene commentary from Harmon, Red, plus producer, composer, cinematographer - Aussie John Seale - and stars Howell and Hauer.
* special doco: The Hitcher - How Do These Movies Get Made?
* two deleted scenes (screenplay only)
* various teasers/trailers
* two exclusive shorts (one from Harmon and another from Hauer!)
All up a sensational package complete with film notes too!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I have wanted to grab teh US DVd for a while but there always seems to be something else to buy there. I will eventuallygrab it but at least teh aussie version is a decent transfer.
I reckon that opening 8 minutes of the film I attached will tempt those who havent seen it yet.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I really dont know how you could improve on the original.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The new one takes the core of the original and updates it and increases our knowledge of the universe in which it exists. Dragging it through the bowels of the human experience.
John Carpenters The Thing also succeeds as a stand alone film from the original that maintains its spine.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
once again, some fine examples.
I have yet to watch any of the new BG ... but I am very much looking forward to it .... A friend has the series on DVD I believe.
And yes, The Thing. Period.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The opening 3 Hr pilot mini series for BG is good but a little bit Baywatch in space.
The first episode of Series 1 is where the quality really starts to shine through.
You can read my review of Battlestar here