NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Arrow Blu-ray (November 2023): Arrow US are also releasing John Schlesinger's "The Day of the Locust '' to Blu-ray. It is cited as a "Brand new 2K remaster by Arrow Films from the original negative."

Short story - I think the Arrow is the superior release. The Imprint image looks horizontally stretched beside the Arrow 1080P. The Arrow is 1.85:1 and the Imprint 1.78:1. The texture, an intentional look from Schlesinger, is more prominent and consistent with the Arrow. Contrast, colors (flesh tones warm and primaries bolden) and detail are also effected - the Arrow is a highly notable improvement in the HD presentation. For audio, Arrow offer three options of mono, stereo, and surround - all in DTS-HD Master tracks. Each export appropriately and there are optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray.

For extras, Arrow include a new audio commentary, entitled an "oral history"  conducted by writer and film historian Lee Gambin, featuring assistant directors Leslie Asplund and Charles Ziarko, production associate Michael Childers, actors Grainger Hines and Pepe Serna, title designer Dan Perri, costume designer Ann Roth, assistant editor Alan L. Shefland and assistant camera operator Ron Vidor. Lee considers The Day of the Locust a "non-horror film that is secretly a horror film... a genuinely terrifying venture into the dark recesses of not only an industry that eats its product, vomits it back up and scoffs it down again, but a wonderful critique on human ugliness and desolation." I look forward to indulging. Welcome to West Hollywood is a new 25-minute appreciation of the film by critic Glenn Kenny. Days of the Golden Age has costume historian and film historian Elissa Rose discusses the film’s costumes in this brand new visual essay for almost 18-minutes. Ann Roth won two Academy Awards (Best Costume Design) and in the 2023 movie Barbie, at 91 years old, she appears onscreen to share a scene with Margot Robbie ('Barbie'.) Jeepers Creepers, Where’d You Get Those Peepers? is a new 24-minute visual essay on the film and its themes by writer and film historian Lee Gambin. There are radio spots and three separate image galleries, including exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs from the archives of production associate Michael Childers and assistant camera operator Ron Vidor. The package has a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Colin Murdoch and an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Pamela Hutchinson.

In his book, From Box Office to Ballot Box: The American Political Film, M. Keith Booker wrote that The Day of the Locust is "one of the nastiest film critiques ever produced of the film industry itself," that it depicts Hollywood as a "nightmare realm dominated by images of commodified sex and violence." He says that that the film aims to show Hollywood and greater Los Angeles as a "dumping ground upon which broken dreams can be discarded to make way for the ever newer dreams constantly being turned out by the American Culture Industry." Yes, The Day of the Locust is quite the brilliant and biting satire, indeed. Nice to have Arrow provide it with the Blu-ray package it deserves. If you have not see this - you should... and the Arrow is the way to go. Absolutely recommended!

Gary Tooze

***

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (November 2020): Australian label Via Vision continue their new 'Imprint' collection of Blu-ray releases, here showcasing the cult classic "The Day of the Locust '' in its worldwide Blu-ray premiere (and Region 'Free'!) The nearly 2.5-hour film is housed on a dual-layered Blu-ray disc and features a high bitrate. The only notes on this transfer say that it is a 1080p presentation, not sure if this is from the original negative or a 4K transfer but I would be surprised. As Kat Ellinger notes in her superb commentary, John Schlesinger intended the image to be "sheeny, not glossy. (wanted the color to be very well controlled)". The muted palette is on display here and detail is not crisp. There are, what appear to be, artifacts and this may be why the film hasn't been released until now. The film was shot on Technicolor 35mm, though grain seems to be thick and inconsistent from frame to frame. There are occasional instances of minor damage or speckles, though it is not too distracting. It is a shame that the image isn't stronger here, though fans should be glad to finally have this film on Blu-ray. See our expanded captures for a representation of the HD appearance. It's not great.

We are given two audio options to accompany the film, either a 24-bit DTS-HD Master audio in 5.1 surround, or a linear PCM 2.0 stereo track. While the surround contains some moderate and subtle surround effects, I prefer the film in its original 2.0 audio format. The score is thanks to the iconic John Barry (The Whisperers, Boom, Deadfall, The Chase, Midnight Cowboy, Dances With Wolves, Inside Moves and the Bond themes among his many credits.)  There are optional English (SDH) subtitles on this Region 'Free' Blu-ray from Imprint.

Imprint starts off the extras with an all new commentary from Kat Ellinger. Ellinger discusses "The Day of the Locust'''s negative box office reception, and subsequent cult status. Ellinger's theory is that 1975 audiences weren't ready for this type of Hollywood expose, more akin to Kenneth Anger's 'Hollywood Babylon' than the sort of ubiquitous glossy, surface-level utopian depictions. The film historian goes on to speak of the film's gothic themes, as well as the various A-level talent involved. I was particularly amused at a story of Schlesinger screening Bertolucci's "The Conformist" for his cinematographer before shooting. Ellinger also mentions the film's various similarities and differences to the source novel. Speaking of the source novel, “Kim Newman on The Day of the Locust'' is a 20-minute piece with critic Newman, discussing the writings of Nathaniel West (in Hollywood and elsewhere). Newman goes on to discuss more aspects of the film, and I recommend watching more as his interviews are always worth checking out. Also new here is a 22-minute interview with the film's star William Atherton. Director Schlesinger had a knack for discovering unknown talent, and Atherton is no exception. There is also a limited edition slipcase with unique artwork on the first 1500 copies. Inside the slipcase is a clamshell case with reversible artwork.

Fans of "The Day of the Locust" can finally enjoy the film on Blu-ray thanks to Australian label Via Vision (Imprint). It's the extras that make this very appealing, with yet another stellar commentary from Kat Ellinger, as well as an informative and well-produced piece with Kim Newman, not to mention that interview with Atherton. While the Blu-ray image is less effectual in this format, it is really a function of the available, and utilized, source as well as the filmmaker's preference. Not everything transfers well to Blu-ray. The linear PCM stereo audio, however, is appreciated. Recommended on the strength of the film, itself, and the wonderful supplements.

Colin Zavitz