Writers:
Brian Clemens, Harry Spalding, and Rosemary Anne Sisson
Adapted
From The Novel “A Watcher In The Woods” By: Florence Engel Randall
Director:
John Hough
Feature
length: 83 minutes
Extras:
Audio Commentary With Director John Hough, 2 Alternate Endings, Theatrical
Trailers, TV Spot, John Hough Bio, and a 20 Page Booklet
Languages:
English DTS-ES Digital 6.1 Theatrical Surround Sound, English Dolby Digital 5.1
EX Surround Sound, and English Dolby Surround 2.0 Sound
Subtitles:
English Closed Captions
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 23
Sound:
DTS-ES 6.1 Digital Theatrical Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround
Sound, Dolby Surround 2.0 Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1980/DVD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: PG
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Made
at a time when Buena-Vista Studios were in a state of transition, “The Watcher
In Woods” is a strange mix of psychological and supernatural thrills that has
developed a cult following of sorts. The film stars Betty Davis as the strange
secluded landlord who rents her home to an American family. Soon after the two
daughters in the family begin experiencing strange phenomenon like mirrors
without reflections, circles of light, triangles etched in glass, and bizarre
manifestations. Soon the girls are driven to try and find out the truth behind a
30-year old secret that will not cease haunting until it is revealed.
Enigmatic
and somewhat disjointed, “The Watcher In The Woods” has lots of great eerie
happenings and suggests ritualistic behavior, strange talk about the effects of
eclipses, and supernatural initiations as well as elements of sci-fi. Anchor Bay
Entertainment presents “The
Watcher In The Woods” in a restored THX certified (1.85:1) anamorphic
widescreen transfer complete with the THX Optimizer® program for picture and
sound calibration. The transfer looks great considering the age of the film with
little noticeable grain and rich colors. The English DTS-ES 6.1 Theatrical
Surround Soundtrack is edgier than the English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround
Soundtrack, but both are very well mixed. There are also optional English Closed
Captions and an English Dolby Surround 2.0 Soundtrack along with a screen
specific audio commentary by Director John Hough.
There
are two alternate ending sequences with optional audio commentary by Director
John Hough. One ending has an approximate running time of 6-minutes while the
other has an approximate running time of 14-minutes. These scenes show “the
watcher” for the first time ever on home video and for the first time ever
since the initial critical screenings. The scenes are presented in the (1.85:1)
aspect ratio of the original theatrical presentation with English Stereo Sound.
The picture quality is quite good and the first ending both do offer a more
satisfying close for the characters than the rather abrupt ending of what ended
up becoming the theatrical and original home video release versions. The longer
alternate ending reveals the “other world” in addition to “the watcher.”
The longer sequence also reveals more grain than the other alternate ending and
theatrical release presentation on the DVD. Three theatrical trailers, a TV
spot, and biographical information on John Hough wrap up the extra features on
this DVD release.
A
full color 20 page booklet with liner notes and interviews conducted by Scott
Michael Bosco with Carroll Baker, Harrison Ellenshaw, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Sam
Nicholson, Tom Leetch, Kyle Richards, and memories of Betty Davis is included
within the DVD keep case along with a card insert with one-sheet art on one side
and a list of scene selections on the other side. The interactive menus are well
rendered and easy to navigate.
All
things considered, “The Watcher In The Woods” is a pretty solid DVD-Video
release from Anchor Bay Entertainment and is available at retailers on and
offline now.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.