Walerian Borowczyk's most notorious and controversial film
Released by: Arrow Video
Release Date: September 15, 2015 (US)
Production Year: 1975
Region Code: A
Running Time: 1:38:21
Audio: French LPCM Mono 2.0
Video: 1080p (1.66:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English
THE FILM - [ 3 / 5 ]:
Originally turned down flat by the British Board of Film Censors and initially released exclusively in London in a version heavily cut by its nervous distributor, The Beast is Walerian Borowczyk’s most notorious film, although it’s much wittier and more playful than its subject matter might suggest. More exploitation than horror, the film wildly reworks the classic Beauty and the Beast story into a very adult fairy take, a parody of pornographic tropes and an assault on notions of 'good taste'.
Originally turned down flat by the British Board of Film Censors and initially released exclusively in London in a version heavily cut by its nervous distributor, The Beast is Walerian Borowczyk’s most notorious film, although it’s much wittier and more playful than its subject matter might suggest. More exploitation than horror, the film wildly reworks the classic Beauty and the Beast story into a very adult fairy take, a parody of pornographic tropes and an assault on notions of 'good taste'.
A huge hit in France that was extensively censored and banned elsewhere, "The Beast" broke new ground in sexual explicitness and remains a truly startling experience even today.
This is the full uncut version of the film that is based on the short film, "La Bête" that appeared on the "Immoral Tales" Blu-ray, also from Arrow Video.
AUDIO - [ 4.5 / 5 ]:
There is one audio option on this Blu-ray and that is a French LPCM Mono 2.0 track. The audio sounds terrific on this release. I thought the dialogue, sound effects and score all sounded terrific and maintained a good volume level. The components of dialogue, sound effects and score were balanced well. I did not notice any problems such as drop outs or hissing in the audio. English subtitles are also included.
VIDEO - [ 4.5 / 5 ]
"The Beast" roars on to Blu-ray in the United States thanks to Arrow Video. The film has received a new high definition digital transfer featuring the uncut version of the film. "The Beast" is presented in 1080p with a 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio. The video quality looks amazing. The colors look strong and natural without any artificial boosting of the contrast. Black levels look great as do skin tones. Film grain looks very good with a thin layer present throughout. Fans may be surprised by the large amount of fine detail present in close ups. Even in non-close ups, the film displays a very good sharpness. The high video quality makes it that much more enjoyable when looking at objects such as furniture, buildings, clothing and so on. There are a few instances of white specks and a scratch, but they are very seldom.
There is one audio option on this Blu-ray and that is a French LPCM Mono 2.0 track. The audio sounds terrific on this release. I thought the dialogue, sound effects and score all sounded terrific and maintained a good volume level. The components of dialogue, sound effects and score were balanced well. I did not notice any problems such as drop outs or hissing in the audio. English subtitles are also included.
VIDEO - [ 4.5 / 5 ]
"The Beast" roars on to Blu-ray in the United States thanks to Arrow Video. The film has received a new high definition digital transfer featuring the uncut version of the film. "The Beast" is presented in 1080p with a 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio. The video quality looks amazing. The colors look strong and natural without any artificial boosting of the contrast. Black levels look great as do skin tones. Film grain looks very good with a thin layer present throughout. Fans may be surprised by the large amount of fine detail present in close ups. Even in non-close ups, the film displays a very good sharpness. The high video quality makes it that much more enjoyable when looking at objects such as furniture, buildings, clothing and so on. There are a few instances of white specks and a scratch, but they are very seldom.
SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 4 / 5 ]:
DOCUMENTARIES:
COMMERCIALS - Three commercials that Borowczyk made during his career.
Gun Point (11:04) - A documentary short produced and edited by Walerian Borowczyk. The anti-hunting short film was directed by Peter Graham.
Behind Enemy Lines Documentary (5:16) - A short featurette about the making of "Gun Point." I enjoyed the story of how Peter Graham was able to get the footage by being a bit sneaky in regards to actual reason he wanted the footage for his short film.
Theatrical Trailer (4:02)
Reversible cover - Includes Borowczyk's own original poster design.
Illustrated booklet - Features new writing on the film by Daniel Bird and an archive piece by David Thompson, illustrated with original stills
IN CONCLUSION:
This Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack from Arrow Video has superior Audio and Video quality. There are some nice special features included also. If you are a fan of this film or of Boroczyk's work, then you should enjoy this release. The subject matter won't be appealing to everyone, but if you enjoy exploitation films, or sexploitation to be even more specific, this will probably be right up your alley. "The Beast" has a bit more lighthearted humor to it at times, as opposed to similar genre films that are often more grim and vile in tone. Arrow Video has once again put out another fantastic product.
OVERALL - [ 4 / 5 ]
DOCUMENTARIES:
- Introduction by Peter Bradshaw (1:45) - When playing the film, viewers have the option to watch the film with an introduction by film critic, Peter Bradshaw.
- The Making of "The Beast" - (57:56) Camera operator Noël Véry provides a commentary on footage shot during the film’s production. This documentary offers an interesting look behind the scenes of the film. You get to see Walerian Borowczyk staging scenes, exactly the way he wanted them to be shot and also instructing the actors how they should perform in their scene. Apparently the role of Lucy was originally to be played by Jeane Manson, but she had to be replaced after she disappeared for three days shortly after filming began. Fans of the film or director Walerian Borowczyk should enjoy this documentary.
- Frenzy of Ecstasy (4:22) - A visual essay on the evolution of Borowczyk's beast and the sequel that never was, Motherhood.
- The Profligate Door (13:17) - A documentary about Borowczyk’s sound sculptures featuring curator Maurice Corbet. Some of the creations remind me of old toys with the noises that they make. (In French with English subtitles)
- Boro Brunch (7:37) - This featurette is of a reunion dinner with some crew members that worked with Borowczyk. This was filmed in 2014 and organized by camera operator Noël Véry. (In French with English subtitles)
COMMERCIALS - Three commercials that Borowczyk made during his career.
- Holy Smoke! (1963) (9:57) - The animation style reminded me of "Monty Python's Flying Circus." The story is about a man smoking a cigar, talking about the 'good old days' of cigars and society.
- Tom Thumb (1966) (1:52) - A mix of animation and live action. This is an advertisement for pasta. (In French with English subtitles)
- The Museum (1964) (1:52) - This too is a mix of animation and live action. It is an advertisement for the same company and pasta product as "Tom Thumb." (In French with English subtitles)
Gun Point (11:04) - A documentary short produced and edited by Walerian Borowczyk. The anti-hunting short film was directed by Peter Graham.
Behind Enemy Lines Documentary (5:16) - A short featurette about the making of "Gun Point." I enjoyed the story of how Peter Graham was able to get the footage by being a bit sneaky in regards to actual reason he wanted the footage for his short film.
Theatrical Trailer (4:02)
Reversible cover - Includes Borowczyk's own original poster design.
Illustrated booklet - Features new writing on the film by Daniel Bird and an archive piece by David Thompson, illustrated with original stills
IN CONCLUSION:
This Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack from Arrow Video has superior Audio and Video quality. There are some nice special features included also. If you are a fan of this film or of Boroczyk's work, then you should enjoy this release. The subject matter won't be appealing to everyone, but if you enjoy exploitation films, or sexploitation to be even more specific, this will probably be right up your alley. "The Beast" has a bit more lighthearted humor to it at times, as opposed to similar genre films that are often more grim and vile in tone. Arrow Video has once again put out another fantastic product.
OVERALL - [ 4 / 5 ]