Day of the Locusts
Picture: B-
Sound: B- Extras: D Film: B
I remember before this film was available on DVD someone
had mentioned how it was ‘nearly criminal’ for a film this good to not be on
DVD. Having seen the film only on TV I
was excited to see the film in a superior form as well, since the TV version
was pan & scan with quality problems abound. Also being a fan of John Schlesinger’s work (Billy Liar, Marathon Man,
etc) I had reason to believe that there was something deeper in the film than
what I had experienced on TV, but due to seeing it in such a poor way I was not
nearly as intrigued.
With great expectation comes great disappointment and my
overall reaction to the film on DVD is not nearly what I had hoped. First, I wanted the film to look and sound
better than it had on TV and then for some added fun I wanted to experience
some extra content (commentary, documentary, even a trailer), but my hopes were
demolished when Paramount issued the film in a bare edition with an average
picture and sound treatment.
Now my assessment might be harsh in comparison to other
reactions, but keep in my mind that with DVD becoming more advanced we, the
consumer, need to be more aware of what we are buying and not settling for
something inferior. Before I get into
the actual DVD, let me talk on the film a bit.
Day of
the Locust is a film with mixed results. It almost reminds me of a more recent film like The Cider House Rules, in that it tries
to say so much with so little. In other
words, the film brings too much to the table and hardly touches on any of it
long enough to make a fair enough statement.
It’s about alcohol, Hollywood, actresses, love, scandal, sex, etc. As I had already mentioned John Schlesinger
is a director I admire and respect, but honestly this was a project that did
not suit him best. Even a good director
can have problems when it comes to pulling together so much, another recent
example being Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of
New York. Once again the fall of
the film was the fact that it tried to deal with so much with so little. Quick plotline: Art director in the 1930’s
tries to make an unwanted actress a star, but her alcoholic father dampers
their dreams.
Day of
the Locust is not a terrible film by any stretch of the imagination
either, but it is a film that you must submit yourself to and really be tied up
with the interests of the film, rather than just a casual observer. It requires more from the viewer than most
films, sadly Paramount’s DVD does not make that super easy. The 1.85 X 1 anamorphic transfer is
borderline with colors being more washed out than expected and black levels
looking really undefined. Lighter
scenes fair better, but not by much.
The remixed 5.1 Dolby Digital mix is nothing to jump for joy over
either, although it will get the job done.
The mix stays predominately in the mid section of the soundstage
anyway.
No extras here, so if you find this disc at a nice price
and want an evening of something odd, here’s your ticket. If you have a better place to spend a few
bucks than so be it, but most fans of the film will be heavily disappointed to
say the least.
- Nate Goss
