Swamp Thing: Collector's Edition – MVD Rewind Collection (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1982
Director: Wes Craven
Writer: Wes Craven
Cast: Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, Ray Wise, David Hess, Nicholas Worth, Don Knight, Al Ruban, Dick Durock, Reggie Batts, Mimi Craven

Release Date: August 8th, 2023
Approximate Running Times: 93 Minutes 3 Seconds (Unrated International Version), 91 Minutes 20 Seconds (Theatrical PG Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10 (Both Versions)
Rating: PG (Theatrical PG Version), NR (Unrated International Version)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English, Dolby Digital Mono Spanish (Both Versions)
Subtitles: English (Both Versions)
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $49.95

"Deep in Florida's darkest everglades, a brilliant scientist, Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise, Robocop) and a sexy government agent, Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau, John Carpenter's The Fog) have developed a secret formula that could end world hunger and change civilization forever. Little do they know, however, that their arch nemesis, Arcane (Louis Jourdan, Octopussy) is plotting to steal the serum for his own selfish schemes. Looting the lab and kidnapping Cable, Arcane douses Holland with the chemicals and leaves him for dead in the swamp. Mutated by his own formula, Holland becomes "Swamp Thing" - a half human/half plant superhero who will stop at nothing to rescue the beautiful Cable and defeat the evil Arcane... even if it costs him his life." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD), 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "2023 4K Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of both the US Theatrical PG Version and Unrated International Version of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in Dolby Vision / HDR"

Swamp Thing comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 69.6 GB

Feature: 59.9 GB

The brand new 4K restoration used for this transfer looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity is consistently strong, black and contrast levels look great, compression is solid, and the image always looks organic. When compared to the Scream Factory and 88 Films Blu-ray releases, the MVD Rewind Collections transfer is a marked improvement in every way. This release uses seamless branching for the two versions.

Swamp Thing comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.8 GB

Feature: 22.1 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc. This release uses seamless branching for the two versions.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a Dolby Digital mono mix in Spanish. The English language track is in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well represented. Also, range-wise, this track sounds robust when it should. Included are removable English subtitles for the English-language track.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include an archival audio Commentary with director Wes Craven and moderated by Sean Clark for the theatrical PG version, and an archival audio commentary with makeup effects artist William Munn and moderated by Michael Felsher for the theatrical PG version.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include Behind the Scenes Photos by Geoffrey Rayle (39 images), William Munns' Behind the Scenes Pictures (15 images), Photos from the Film (99 images), and Posters & Lobby Cards (16 images), a theatrical trailer (1 minute 31 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with film historian Kim Newman titled From Krug to Comics: How the Mainstream Shaped a Radical Genre Voice (17 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with production designer Robb Wilson King titled Swamp Screen: Designing DC's Main Monster (20 minutes 34 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actor Reggie Batts titled Hey Jude (14 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actress Adrienne Barbeau titled Tales From the Swamp (16 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Len Wein, Creator of Swamp Thing titled That Swamp Thing (13 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio Commentary with Wes Craven and Sean Clark for the theatrical PG version, and an archival audio commentary with William Munn and Michael Felsher for the theatrical PG version.

Other extras include a "4K LaserVision" mini-poster (limited to first pressing), and a slipcover (limited to first pressing).

Summary:

Directed by Wes Craven, a filmmaker most remembered for his horror output. Notably, he directed iconic horror films in three different decades: The Last House on the Left in the 1970s, A Nightmare on Elm Street in the 1980s, and Scream in the 1990s.

Swamp Thing is a comic book series created by Len Wein (the writer) and Bernie Wrightson (the artist). Swamp Thing was made at a time when comic book adaptations were not as common as they are now.

The narrative revolves around a scientist working on a top-secret bioengineering project that goes awry and turns him into a monster.

Though there are horror elements in Swamp Thing, it is better described as a fantasy film with sci-fi elements. That said, Wes Craven, who also wrote the screenplay, does a great job bringing the Swamp Thing's character to life.

Without a doubt, the greatest asset is a phenomenal cast that is made up of recognizable faces to anyone who's familiar with 1970s and 1980s horror cinema. The entire cast is great in their roles; they all deliver enthusiastic performances. Notably, cast members include Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog) in the role of Alice Cable, a government agent assigned to protect the scientist who becomes the Swamp Thing; Louis Jourdan (Gigi) in the villainess role of Anton Arcane; and David Hess (The Last House on the Left) in the role of one of Anton Arcane’s henchmen.

The most interesting aspect of The Swamp Thing is how it pairs Alice Cable with a young boy named Jude, who operates a rundown convenience store in the middle of nowhere. The dynamic between the two actors who portray these characters provides some of the best moments. Also, there is a beauty and beast angle going on between Alice Cable and The Swamp Thing.

When it comes to pacing, there is never an issue, as a well-constructed narrative does a great job maintaining the moment. The action set pieces and special effects are solid. Another strength is composer Harry Manfredini’s (Friday the 13th) score, which helps set and reinforce the mood. Also, the visuals at times employ a comic book-like style. Though not one of Wes Craven’s best films, The Swamp Thing is still a well-made thrill ride that's always entertaining.

Swamp Thing gets an exceptional release from the MVD Rewind Collection that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a VLC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer