"THE GROUP"
Few ensemble films can boast a cast as exceptional as that of 1966's "The Group," based on Mary McCarthy's iconic novel. The movie has just been made available on Blu-Ray by Kino Lorber.
The movie showcases many of the finest, rising female actors of the era -- Joan Hackett ("Support Your Local Sheriff," "The Last of Sheila"), Jessica Walter ("Play Misty for Me," "Arrested Development"), Joanna Pettet ("Casino Royale," "Blue"), Elizabeth Hartman ("A Patch of Blue," "The Beguiled"), Shirley Knight ("The Rain People," "As Good As it Gets"), Kathleen Widdoes ("The Mephisto Waltz," "As The World Turns"), and, in her first film appearance, Candice Bergen ("The Sand Pebbles," "Murphy Brown"). It's one of several screen debuts here.
They etch memorable characters who meet at Vassar in 1933. They leave the university full of optimism, but not really prepared for life. They have a lot of hard lessons to learn about the roles of women in their contemporary society. They stumble through marriages, affairs, career complications. They must entangle situations dealing with everything from frigidity to lesbianism, contraception to abortion, miscarriages to mental illness. The film was considered startling, in many ways, at the time of its release. Through all the trials and tribulations, bonds of friendship survive, despite bouts of hostility and envy on the parts of some.
The men in their lives are mostly chauvinistic, weak, cruel and clueless. Key roles are essayed by Larry Hagman ("Fail-Safe," "S.O. B."), Hal Holbrook ("All The President's Men," "Magnum Force"), Richard Mulligan {"Little Big Man" and TV's "Soap") and the one sympathetic male, James Broderick ("Dog Day Afternoon," TV's "Family").
The extraordinary director Sidney Lumet elicits many superb performances, including Hackett as the repressed Dottie; Joanna Pettet as the tragic Kay; Walter as the acid-tongued, gossipy Libby; and Hartman has the pure-hearted, vulnerable, liberal Priss.
Hagman, light years removed from the light comedy of "I Dream of Jeannie" or the tongue-in-cheek melodrama of "Dallas," is a revelation here, playing Pettet's abusive, alcoholic husband, a would-be actor/playwright. Hagman doesn't hesitate to strip away all charm to reveal the character's darkest, most horrific flaws.
Carrie Nye (the great theatre actress who was married to Dick Cavett) also stands out in a supporting role as one of the women with whom Hagman cheats on Pettet.
A sumptuous film with numerous strong female characters, "The Group" is well worth another look now, in the "Me Too" era.
And, by the way, the new Kino Lorber release looks fabulous. The images are perfectly distinct on Blu-Ray, like watching a mint 35mm print at the movie's premiere. And the DTS sound is crisp and clean throughout. As for bonus features, we get the trailer for "The Group," as well as several other features.
"THE RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE"
Armand Tesla looks darn good for a 200-year-old. This Hungarian vampire (who bears an uncanny resemblance to Universal's Count Dracula) wreaks havoc in the 1918 London countryside. A railroad spike through heart does slow him down. But he wakes up refreshed, decades later, after a Nazi bomb inadvertently unearths his coffin and gravediggers unfortunately remove the stake from Tesla's chest. With a werewolf servant to do his bidding, Tesla is hungry not only for fresh blood, but for vintage revenge. Efficiently directed by Lew Landers, this 1943 Columbia horror movie will keep jittery.
The legendary Bela Lugosi once again puts plenty of bite into the vampire role. He plays the part with plenty of both menace and relish. Nina Foch, (in her feature debut), the object of his lustful fascination, is notable in the supporting cast.
The crisp Blu-ray images will add to the chills and eeriness the vampire stirs up. The Scream Factory release presents three separate new audio commentaries with different film historians offering their expertise. So there are fresh insights galore. Other extras include real novelty -- a silent 8mm version that horror buffs could enjoy in their living rooms, with the clickety-clack of their little home movie projector, in the days before video cassettes. Also provided here are a theatrical trailer and still gallery.
"THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES"
Scream Factory has brought back to life a Zombie classic -- the 1966 Hammer horror film, "The Plague of the Zombies." Set in the 19th century, in a remote Cornish village, a mysterious plague is felling the populace. Evil is lurking in unexpected places. Haitian witchcraft is used to turn the dead into free labor. An army of undead workers does tend to increase profits. John Gilling's direction, as well as a nerve-jangling score, keep the atmosphere tense. Viewers will be on edge throughout. Scares are effective and frequent. This is a film that deserves more attention.
The new Scream Factory scan gives us a sharp, vibrant picture, with rich colors. The package offers valuable bonuses, including two informative and entertaining new audio commentary tracks, plus the World of Hammer episode "Mummies, Werewolves & The Living Dead" and "Raising The Dead -- The Making of The Plague of the Zombies," as well as theatrical trailer and more. There are terrific shots in the Still Gallery.
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