O.C. and Stiggs: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1985
Director: Robert Altman
Writers: Ted Mann, Donald Cantrell
Cast: Daniel Jenkins, Neill Barry, Jane Curtin, Paul Dooley, Jon Cryer, Ray Walston, Tina Louise, Cynthia Nixon, Dennis Hopper, Martin Mull, Melvin Van Peebles, Tiffany Helm, Bob Uecker

Release Date: December 16th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 109 Minutes 34 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: $39.95

"O.C. and Stiggs are a pair of sharp teens who carry out a vendetta against middle-class neighbor Mr. Schwab, as his insurance company has canceled O.C.'s grandfather's retirement policy." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “O.C. and Stiggs was restored by MGM and supplied to Radiance Films as a high-definition digital master file via Park Circus.”

O.C. and Stiggs comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.6 GB

Feature: 29.8 GB

The source is in excellent shape; any debris or imperfections have been cleaned up. Flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and the image always retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, balanced, and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a gallery of rare photos from the collection of the University of Michigan (201 images), an interview with camera operator Robert Reed Altman (11 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), The Water is Finally Blue—The Untold Story of Robert Altman’s O.C. and Stiggs: A documentary on the making of the film by writer Hunter Stephenson featuring audio interviews with stars Daniel Jenkins, Neill Barry, Paul Dooley, Martin Mull, and Tiffany Helm (128 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 32-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an archival writing titled Altman on Altman: O.C. and Stiggs written by Robert Altman, an essay titled Misbehaviour and Misdirection: Robert Altman’s O.C. and Stiggs written by Brad Stevens, an archival writing titled Altman on Filmmaking written by Ellen Oumano, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Robert Altman directed O.C. and Stiggs. He’s most known for M*A*S*H, The Long Goodbye, Nashville, and The Player.

Two delinquent pranksters have a vendetta against an insurance man, whom they target, and his family.

O.C. and Stiggs is based on two characters from a series published in National Lampoon magazine. While Robert Altman may not seem like the obvious choice for this material, there are notable similarities between the humor of National Lampoon and his style. That said, what appeared on-screen is so drastically different than what the screenwriters intended that Tod Carroll, one of the creators of O.C. and Stiggs, had his name removed.

It is easy to see why they view O.C. and Stiggs as one of Robert Altman's most divisive films. It is a film where he’s playing to two distinctly different audiences, his fan base and teenagers. Made during the height of raunchy 1980s teen-themed comedies, O.C. and Stiggs is filled with subversive humor that can be found in most Robert Altman films; there is an abundance of one-liners and sight gags that all hit their mark. Although humor changes over time and what was once hilarious is no longer or might be considered insensitive, there are many examples of the latter in O.C. and Stiggs.

Something you can always rely on with a Robert Altman film is an exemplary ensemble cast of recognizable faces. Notable cast members are Paul Dooley (Sixteen Candles)in the role of Randall Schwab, an insurance salesman who has angered the two protagonists; Jane Curtin (Saturday Night Live) in the role of Schwab’s alcoholic wife; Jon Cryer (Pretty in Pink) in the role of Schwab’s quintessential nerdy son; Tina Louise (Gilligan’s Island) in the role of the school nurse; Martin Mull (Mr. Mom) in the role of a fashion designer of clothing for large women; Melvin Van Peebles (Watermelon Man) in the role of a Wino named Bob; Cynthia Nixon (Sex in the City) in the role of Michelle, a girl O.C. is interested in; Ray Walston (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) in the role of O.C.’s grandfather; and Dennis Hopper in the role of a vietnam vet that’s remsincient of his character from Apocalypse Now. Daniel Jenkins and Neill Barry are in the roles of O.C. and Stiggs; they deliver extraordinary performances in which they fully immerse themselves in character. That said, all of the cast are excellent in their roles.

O.C. and Stiggs are two pranksters who spend most of their time tormenting Schwab and his family. Many of their pranks go too far; instead of backing off, they push themselves to come up with something bigger and better. When it comes to their pranks, no one is safe, including their family. The narrative does an exceptional job drawing you in and holding your attention by building momentum with a series of outrageous moments that somehow top each other. Ultimately, O.C. and Stiggs, more than any other Robert Altman film, is misunderstood, and it would be held in higher regard if directed by someone else.

Radiance Films gives O.C. and Stiggs a solid release that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras; highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer