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Stars:
Bill Pullman, Cathy Tyson, Zakes Mokae, Paul Winfield, and Michael Gough
Writers:
Richard Maxwell and A.R. Simoun
Inspired
By The Novel
by: Wade Davis
Director:
Wes Craven
Feature
length: 98 minutes
Extras:
Theatrical Trailer
Languages:
English, French, and Spanish Language Dolby Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and French and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 18
Sound:
Dolby Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1987/DVD Release: 2003
Theatrical
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Universal Studios Home Video
MPAA
Rating: R
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Inspired
by true life experiences of Wade Davis as documented in his novel, “Wes
Craven’s The Serpent And The Rainbow” is one of his beast feature films in
terms of scope and historical context as well as the overall story which deals
with an Anthropologist’s adventure in Haiti searching for a legendary powder
that is said to bring the dead back to life. This “zombie” making powder
could yield tremendous breakthroughs in modern medicine. While in Haiti our
Anthropologist (Bill Pullman) becomes embroiled in the politics of the land as
much as in the spiritual beliefs of the people as he faces a confrontation for
the possession of his soul. The film was shot on location in Haiti.
The
film features memorable performances by Cathy Tyson as Bill Pullman’s love
interest and Paul Winfield as a benevolent man of power of mysticism. However
Zakes Mokae delivers one of the best villain roles ever as the malevolent head
of the secret police and dark sorcerer of sorts. “The Serpent And The
Rainbow” is both frightening and entertaining and well worth a look now that
it has been reissued on DVD after some time on moratorium from Universal Studios
Home Video.
The
image is presented in an anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio, but
unfortunately it is very grainy throughout. The film had been previously
licensed to Image Entertainment, but I do not recall if the transfer on that DVD
was as grainy as this one. The English Dolby Surround Soundtrack is much better
with a nice mix of the music and sound effects and a clear dialogue track to
create an atmospheric feel that is important for the film. French and Spanish
Language Dolby Surround Soundtracks and English Captions for the hearing
impaired and French and Spanish Language Subtitles are encoded onto the DVD as
options too.
The
theatrical trailer (1:23) is the only extra feature included, but that is more
than the previous release had. The menus are all standard interactive still
frames that are easy to navigate. “Wes Craven’s The Serpent And The
Rainbow” is available on DVD-Video now from Universal Studios Home Video.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
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