Felidae: Standard Edition – Deaf Crocodile (UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Germany, 1994
Director: Michael Schaack
Writers: Akif Pirinçci, Martin Kluger
Cast: Ulrich Tukur, Mario Adorf, Helge Schneider, Wolfgang Hess, Gerhard Garbers, Ulrich Wildgruber, Mona Seefried, Manfred Steffen, Uwe Ochsenknecht, Michaela Amler, Christian Schneller, Tobias Lelle, Frank Röth, Alexandra Mink, Klaus Maria Brandauer

Release Date: February 11th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 81 Minutes 51 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Stereo German
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $39.95

"“Oh no, stranger. The dead come to me,” whispers Jesaja, the cat Guardian of the Dead in the skeleton-filled catacombs and labyrinths of director Michael Schaack’s brilliant and surprisingly graphic animated feature about a grisly series of unsolved murders among a group of domestic cats. (“Felidae” is the scientific name for cats.) A combination feline detective story, Gothic mystery and occult horror, FELIDAE follows green-eyed protagonist Francis (voiced by Ulrich Tukur) and his grizzled, one-eyed companion Blaubart (voiced by Mario Adorf) as they unravel the killings stretching back decades, involving death cults, genetic experimentation and a mysterious martyr religion." - synopsis provided by the distributor

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

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Newly scanned and restored in 4K from the original camera negative and sound elements by Deaf Crocodile for this release."

Felidae comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 61.8 GB

Feature: 54.7 GB

The source looks excellent; colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Felidae comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 30.2 GB

Feature: 23.1 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD stereo mix in German with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds excellent; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an interview with layout designer Armen Melkonian, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile (54 minutes 25 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), interview with director Michael Schaack, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile (63 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with the key animation team including Doug Bennett, Paul Bolger, Eamonn Butler, Bernie Denk and Desmond Downes, moderated by Dennis Bartok of Deaf Crocodile (59 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with journalist and physical media expert Ryan Verrill (The Disc Connected) and film professor Dr. Will Dodson, and an insert with a URL that has a PDF for the audio commentary. 

Summary:

Shortly after a cat’s arrival, he is befriended by another cat who tells him about a series of brutal cat murders. From there they look into the killings, hoping to bring the culprit to justice.

Felidae is an animation that delves into dark territories. Though most of the killings are done off-screen, viewers are not spared from their gruesomeness. Also, this is not just a murder mystery; it is a narrative that is filled with subtext, notable when it comes to Germany's past.

Felidae is an engrossing story that quickly draws you in and stays with you long after it concludes. The narrative does a phenomenal job of creating tense moments and building momentum towards a bloody brawl that ends in an inferno. Another strength of the narrative is how it gives key moments an ample amount of time to resonate.

All of the performances are outstanding. Another strength of Felidae is how each cat is given a distinct personality. That said, this greatly enhances the story that unfolds. A notable cast member is Mario Adorf (Calibre 9); he portrays Bluebeard, a disfigured Maine Coon who befriends and assists the protagonist in his investigation.

The animation is excellent; it lends itself perfectly to the story that unfolds. The visuals are filled with symbolism and nightmarish imagery, like mutilating and experimenting on animals. Needless to say, Felidae is a film clearly made for an adult audience. Ultimately, Felidae is a thought-provoking Neo-noir that stays with you long after its conclusion.

Deaf Crocodile gives Felidae a definitive release, highly recommended.

Note: There is a deluxe release of Felidae that comes in a slipcase and an 80-page book with rare production artwork, an essay by film historian Jennifer Lynde Barker, and an essay by film critic Walter Chaw (Film Freak Central).

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 MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer