Ravenous cannibalizes DVD on June 3 with a new Blu-Ray from Scream Factory.
Ravenous fared poorly on its release in 1999, but has since gained a much more favorable reputation. I’ve had it recommended to me by friends for a few years now but hadn’t gotten around to watching it yet, so I jumped at the chance to review the Blu-Ray.
Well, my friends came through for me on this one as it’s an extremely enjoyable movie.
Ravenous is a meaty stew of horror, dark comedy, and action, not to mention a period piece set in 1847. I’ve read a bit about the troubled production which involved a change in directors, weather and scheduling problems, and studio interference, and although I’d be totally interested in seeing how a director’s cut might turn out, I’m happy to say the film is really fantastic as is. The plotting is clever, with bold developments that routinely dodged and subverted my expectations.
At the heart of the tale is the Algonquian mythology of the Wendigo. According to this legend, engaging in cannibalism can transform the eater into a sort of ghoul with an insatiable hunger. In the film, this includes rejuvenative powers from temporarily absorbing the strength and spirit of their prey, and certain characters find themselves in this state, both intentionally and circumstantially.
Captain John Boyd (Guy Pierce) seems at first a strange protagonist. He is quiet and skittish, not at all your typical heroic lead character. But when he is transferred to a remote outpost as punishment for cowardice in battle, his meekness comes into sharp contrast with the colorful members of his new outfit: sarcastic and well-read Col. Hart (Jeffrey Jones), overzealous soldier Pvt. Reich (Neal McDonough), nebbish hymn-writer Pvt. Toffler (Jeremy Davies), and giggly drug addict Pvt. Cleaves (David Arquette). Despite his flaws — or perhaps because of them — Boyd seems like a pretty sympathetic everyman in this context.
When a bedraggled man named Colqhoun (Robert Carlyle) stumbles into the camp telling of a small group of lost and starving settlers in the mountains who have succumbed to cannibalism, the soldiers move swiftly to stop the violence and rescue the party as quickly as possible. But once they get there, all hell breaks loose.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing score by Damon Albarn and Michael Nyman which contributes some extremely memorable tunes. It could be described as folksy, haunting, playful, and even hillbillyish. Here I quote our Cinapse editor Ed Travis, who “Can’t stop humming the score even a week after watching it”.
THE PACKAGE
Ravenous comes to Blu-Ray from the horror mavens at Scream Factory. The package includes a reversible cover with new and old artwork, according to their usual tradition.
The disc includes a smorgasbord of features, most notably three commentary tracks involving five participants. I didn’t have a chance to review them, but the wealth of content is a testimony that fans will have plenty of meat to sink their teeth into.
The film is appropriately rated R for reprobacy and red stuff.
Special Features
Interview With Jeffrey Jones (20:42)
This featurette may prove to be controversial due to Jones’ involvement (he was arrested on child porn and related solicitation charges in 2003). In fact, it is not even mentioned as a feature on the packaging. Without commenting on Jones’ personal issues, the feature itself is a great and insightful discussion about the making and meaning of the film.
Deleted Scenes With Commentary by Antonia Bird (12:06)
These scenes feel a bit directionless on their own and are better viewed with Antonia Bird’s commentary. She even points out a couple that she wishes has stayed in the film, giving a glimpse of what hewed closer to her vision before cutting for length to meet a studio-mandated 100-minute requirement.
Theatrical Trailer (2:00)
TV Spot (:32)
Photo galleries: Costume Design and Production Design (2:47)
Commentary With Director Antonia Bird and Composer Damon Albarn
Commentary With Screenwriter Ted Griffin and Actor Jeffrey Jones
Commentary With Actor Robert Carlyle
The whole cannibalism angle is probably the main reason I hadn’t watched Ravenous yet despite recommendations. While I’m a huge fan of horror films in general, I usually avoid the ones that involve eating human flesh; it’s just one of the things I have little stomach for. If you’re like me in this sense, don’t let that stop you from enjoying this wild and very cool film. The cannibalism is only used in service to the story and its treatment is in turns both comedic and tasteful, with no revolting on-screen flesh-roasting or consumption to worry about.
A/V Out.
Get it at Amazon:
Ravenous — [Blu-Ray]
