The Changeling 4K UHD - George C. Scott

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

directed by Peter Medak
Canada 1980

George C. Scott stars in this chilling ghost story, one of the most acclaimed and terrifying horror films of all time.

Following the tragic death of his wife and daughter in a car crash, composer John Russell leaves the city and retires to an old mansion in the hope of rebuilding his life. The peace and quiet he craves is soon disturbed however. Unexplained noises are just the beginning. Convinced there is a supernatural presence in the house he enlists the help a local historian. What they uncover is more shocking than he could ever have imagined.

***

After his wife and daughter are killed in a snowplow accident, composer John Russell (George C. Scott) returns to Seattle to teach music at his alma mater. The local historical society rents him a long abandoned mansion where he will have plenty of room to work. However, he is not alone in the house. A barrage of clanging sounds wake him up at the same time every night. In a hidden attic room, he discovers a music box whose tune is the one he has been composing. With the help of historical society representative Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere), John digs into the past of the house and discovers the accidental death of a little girl; however, a seánce reveals that the spirit to be that of a crippled little boy whose spirit will not rest until John uncovers the truth behind his murder.

A subtle and genuinely scary ghost story, THE CHANGELING hits most of the right notes for both subtle chills and jump out of your skin shocks. Johnny Coquillon's (STRAW DOGS) alternates effectively between Steadicam and handheld cinematography just as Rick Wilkins' score alternates between low strings and jump scare bombast.

Eric Cotenas

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 28th, 1980

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Review: Second Sight - Region FREE - 4K UHD

Box Cover		CLICK to order from: There is also a Limited Editions 4K UHD package: Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Second Sight - Region FREE - 4K UHD
Runtime	1:46:49.486
Video	1.85:1 2160P 4K Ultra HD Disc Size: 94,368,181,374 bytes Feature: 78,258,999,552 bytes Video Bitrate: 89.87 Mbps Codec: HEVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate 4K Ultra HD:
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1505 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1505 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 1613 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1613 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Second Sight 1.85:1 2160P 4K Ultra HD Disc Size: 94,368,181,374 bytes Feature: 78,258,999,552 bytes Video Bitrate: 89.87 Mbps Codec: HEVC Video Edition Details: 4K Ultra HD disc • Audio Commentary with Director Peter Medak and Producer Joel B. Michaels Interview with Peter Medak by filmmaker Adrián García Bogliano at Mórbido Fest 2018 (1:14:01) • Exile on Curzon St. - Peter Medak on his early years in swinging London (19:46) • The House on Cheesman Park - The Haunting True Story of The Changeling (17:31) • The Music of The Changeling - an interview with Music Arranger Kenneth Wannberg (8:58) • Building the House Of Horror - an interview with Art Director Reuben Freed (10:53) • The Psychotronic Tourist (16:05) • Master of horror Mick Garris on The Changeling (5:30) • Trailer (2:17) 4K Ultra HD Release Date: June 5th, 2023 Black 4K Ultra HD Case Chapters 17

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray and 4K UHD captures were taken directly from the respective discs.

ADDITION: Second Sight 4K UHD (June 2023): Second Sight's have released Peter Medak's "The Changeling" to 4K UHD. It is cited as being a "New 4K scan and restoration presented in HDR10". Severin released a 4K UHD edition in October of last year, HERE. We don't own it to compare. We have compared a 2002 Momentum DVD to both Second Sight and Severin Blu-rays HERE. The new 2160P image showcases the luscious thick grain beautifully as well as emboldening colors (reds), cooler flesh tones, and diffusing contrast with darker black levels and brighter lit scenes. The 4K UHD presentation is impressive - the most film-like I have seen The Changeling on digital.

It is likely that the monitor you are seeing this review is not an HDR-compatible display (High Dynamic Range) or Dolby Vision, where each pixel can be assigned with a wider and notably granular range of color and light. Our capture software if simulating the HDR (in a uniform manner) for standard monitors. This should make it easier for us to review more 4K UHD titles in the future and give you a decent idea of its attributes on your system. So our captures may not support the exact same colors (coolness of skin tones, brighter or darker hues etc.) as the 4K system at your home. But the framing, detail, grain texture support etc. are, generally, not effected by this simulation representation.

NOTE: 72 more more full resolution (3840 X 2160) 4K UHD captures, in lossless PNG format, for Patrons are available HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages to date: The Night of the Hunter (software uniformly simulated HDR), 12 Angry Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (no HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (software uniformly simulated HDR), Two Orphan Vampires, The Shiver of the Vampires, Drowning By Number (software uniformly simulated HDR), Serpico (software uniformly simulated HDR), Cool Hand Luke (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Seventh Seal (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Maltese Falcon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mildred Pierce (software uniformly simulated HDR), Tár (software uniformly simulated HDR), Marathon Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dazed and Confused (software uniformly simulated HDR), Three Colors: Blue (software uniformly simulated HDR), Invaders From Mars (software uniformly simulated HDR), Death Wish (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (no HDR), High Plains Drifter (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mystery Men (software uniformly simulated HDR), Silent Running (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dressed to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Power of the Dog (software uniformly simulated HDR), Escape From Alcatraz (software uniformly simulated HDR), I, the Jury (no HDR), Casablanca (software uniformly simulated HDR), In the Mood For Love (NO HDR applied to disc), The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Woman (software uniformly simulated HDR), Blow Out (software uniformly simulated HDR), Night of the Living Dead (NO HDR applied to disc), Lost Highway (software uniformly simulated HDR), Videodrome (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Last Picture Show (software uniformly simulated HDR), It Happened One Night (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Mummy (1932)(software uniformly simulated HDR), Creature From the Black Lagoon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Bride of Frankenstein (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Amityville Horror (software uniformly simulated HDR), The War of the Worlds (1953) (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Incredible Melting Man (software uniformly simulated HDR), Event Horizon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Branded to Kill (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Killing (software uniformly simulated HDR), Killer's Kiss (software uniformly simulated HDR.)

On their 4K UHD, Second Sight offer the option of DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit) in the original English language for both 2.0 stereo and a 5.1 surround bump. "The Changeling" is filled with various types of sneaky noises including a 'booming' initially thought to have come from the furnace. There is a minor 'hiss' but seems to add some flavor to the audio experience. The surround is quite pleasing with a few, less discreet, separations apparent - effortlessly adding to the eeriness. The score is by Canadian conductor and tenor saxophonist Rick Wilkins who is also known for his work as an arranger. It's a good, atmospheric score - exported well - notably so in the surround with a few chilling head-turners. The disc offers optional English (SDH) subtitles - and is, like all 4K UHD, region FREE, playable worldwide.

There are plentiful extras on the 4K UHD disc - mostly repeated from previous Blu-rays. We get a commentary with director Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels discussing many of the production facets, the performers (Medak's fear of Scott's reputation and an interesting story regarding chess), the storyline and generally revealing details about directing The Changeling as well as his love for 'haunted house' films. he praises the actors extensively. There are five repeated featurettes; 'The House on Cheesman Park' is fascinating 17-minutes about the true story of The Changeling and the haunted house it is based upon. We get a 9-minute piece on 'The Music of The Changeling' which amount to an interview with arranger Kenneth Wannberg. 'Building The House of Horror' is an 11-minute interview with Art Director Reuben Freed discussing the film's precise look and feel. 'The Psychotronic Tourist' – The Changeling runs over 1/4 hour and is produced by Severin and has a fun edge to it. 'Master of Horror' Mick Garris talks about The Changeling' for about 5.5 minutes. New-ish is a lengthy (1 1/4 hour) 2018 interview with Peter Medak by filmmaker Adrián García Bogliano at Mórbido Fest dealing primarily with the director's interesting career. Also new to Second Sight's digital catalogue for the film is Exile on Curzon St. which runs 20-minutes and has Medak on his early years in swinging London. Lastly is a trailer.

The limited edition has a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy, a 108-page book with new essays by Martyn Conterio, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Rich Johnson, Mikel J. Koven, Meagan Navarro, Rachel Reeves, Shelagh Rown-Legg, and Heather Wixson plus archive interview with Peter Medak, an original soundtrack CD and 5 collectors' art cards (see image below.)

One of the most influential and effecting of Canadian-made haunted-house horror films ever produced - plentiful with unforgettable and frighteningly creepy scenes. The screenplay is based upon mysterious events that co-writer of The Changeling, Russell Hunter, claimed he experienced while he was living in 1960's at the Henry Treat Rogers mansion in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. With only a month to finalize script re-writes and set construction, Peter Medak was the third director hired for The Changeling after Donald Cammell (Performance) and Tony Richardson (A Taste of Honey) both withdrew over "creative differences". A brilliant haunted house genre classic devoid of cheap gore tropes. George C. Scott's performance adds believability layers to the indelible experience - fully exemplified by Second Sight's 4K UHD transfer and keepsake package. Our highest recommendation!

Gary Tooze

Limited Edition 4K UHD package

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