The Shout

Great Britain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD:it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ),SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access,SYNOPSIS: An asylum director begins telling a visitor to a cricket game the story of one of his "better" patients, Crossley (Alan Bates) who is able to compete. Some time previously, Crossley accosted Anthony (John Hurt), a composer, just after church and was for some reason invited to dinner. Once at the composer's home, he tells the story of his unusual upbringing among Australian Aborigines, and of the awful and strange gifts this has left him with. Among them is the ability to bring about another's death by using a certain kind of shout. The next morning, he begins to weave an erotic spell on the composer's wife Rachel (Susannah York), and then proves his killing ability on a sheep in a field. His influence increasingly disrupts their peaceful lives, until in a confrontation, the composer finds a way to best Crossley - but which results in his being placed in a mental institution. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Cannes Film Festival, Product Description

If it aint' broke...

I first fell in love with this film after watching it on VHS in 1987. I bought my own copy, and the love affair continued. Then, along came the DVD; man, the anticipation!! This film is all about sound, after all; its visceral, psychological and (dare I say it?!) spiritual impact. But what happened?? You guessed it; a cohort of idiots, for their own dumb reasons, had felt obliged to do a REMIX. The result? Watching the (UK) DVD of The Shout is a PROFOUNDLY DIMINSHED EXPERIENCE. This is an awful shame, for The Shout is one of the most classy, measured, inventive, sincere and electrifying fanatsies ever filmed. Its garb is understated and refined; its soul is pure chaos, and the counterpoint works!!
The current version available is an insult. Maybe the studio could see its way clear to honouring the original work by offering a worthy DVD transfer?? November 6, 2006

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