Multiple Maniacs Blu-ray Review

Presented in a 1.66:1 or 1.67:1 aspect ratio, John Waters' "Multiple Maniacs" arrives on Blu-ray with an impressive 1080p transfer. Criterion has scanned the original 16mm film in 4K resolution on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner at Metropolis Post in New York. Despite the film's tumultuous storage history, kept for years in Waters' closet and attic, digital restoration techniques have stabilized the image, removing dirt, scratches, and debris. This cleanup ensures that the degraded original now boasts sharp detail, pleasing depth, and clear images, especially highlighting elements like Divine's wig and the outlandish costumes.

The 4K scan has significantly improved the grayscale presentation, with black and white levels appearing nuanced and crisp. Some minor density fluctuations and sporadic focus issues are attributable to the original filming conditions rather than the transfer process. The use of different Kodak black-and-white reversal films (Plus-X for exteriors, Tri-X for interiors) also contributes to select areas where highlights appear slightly elevated. However, these quirks underline the film’s organic texture rather than distract from it. Grain is naturally resolved and image stability is excellent, devoid of distracting debris, cuts, or damage marks.

Overall, Criterion's meticulous transfer and restoration deliver an incredibly solid and authentic viewing experience, capturing the gritty charm of Waters' avant-garde masterpiece while enhancing its visual integrity for a high-definition audience. This video presentation is an exceptional achievement, given the film's budget constraints and precarious historical preservation.

The audio presentation on this Blu-ray of "Multiple Maniacs" features a single English LPCM 1.0 track. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for accessibility. The monaural soundtrack has undergone thorough restoration from the original 16mm magnetic audio track, digitized in 96K resolution. Notably, clicks, thumps, hiss, hum, and crackle have been meticulously removed, enhancing the overall listening experience. Although the dynamic intensity is modest, the audio restoration efforts have significantly improved clarity. This enables audiences to hear previously unrecognizable lines, as noted by director John Waters in the included commentary.

While the LPCM 1.0 Mono mix might not deliver a fully immersive experience, it excels in offering clear and easy-to-follow dialogue. Outdoor sequences abound with organic sounds and noises, yet age-related anomalies are notably absent. The sound effects, while not particularly impactful, are competently rendered to suit the film's context. The musical score complements the bizarre and thrilling nature of the film without overwhelming other audio elements, blending harmoniously with dialogue and atmospheric sounds. Overall, it is a crude but effective soundtrack that aptly aligns with the rough visuals it accompanies.

The extras on the Blu Ray of "Multiple Maniacs" present a comprehensive and engaging deep dive into the film’s unique production process and its cultural impact. John Waters' audio commentary is a highlight, providing an in-depth look at the film's evolution, casting, controversial material, and restoration. The package includes insightful interviews with cast members Mink Stole, Pat Moran, Vincent Peranio, Susan Lowe, and George Figgs, touching upon their experiences on set and collaboration with Waters. Additionally, Gary Needham’s video essay explores the director’s fascination with kitsch and anti-art. The original trailer offers a nostalgic glimpse into the film’s initial promotion. An enclosed leaflet enriches the viewing experience with technical details and an essay by Linda Yablonsky.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: John Waters discusses in great detail the film’s evolution, casting, controversial elements, and restoration.
• Interviews: New interviews featuring Mink Stole, Pat Moran, Vincent Peranio, Susan Lowe, and George Figgs.
• The Stations of Filth: Gary Needham’s video essay on the film’s style and Waters’ obsession with kitsch.
• Trailer: Restored original trailer.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet with an essay by Linda Yablonsky and technical credits.

John Waters' "Multiple Maniacs" (1970), released on Blu-ray by Criterion, showcases the director's penchant for subversive and outrageously unpolished cinema. The film is a low-budget extravaganza, designed less to entertain through conventional means and more to shock, scandalize, and push the boundaries of taste and acceptability. The narrative revolves around Lady Divine, portrayed by the ever-magnetic Divine, who leads a group of misfits in a morally depraved sideshow called the "Cavalcade of Perversion." This setting allows Waters to critique societal norms with grotesque and bizarre humor, often bordering on the surreal. Notably, this film served as a cornerstone for Waters' relationship with Divine, solidifying their collaborative legacy.

Technically, "Multiple Maniacs" betrays its limited budget through primitive editing and crude camerawork, as it was Waters' first feature-length film with synchronized sound. Long takes dominate dialogues due to inexperience and financial constraints, contributing to the film’s raw aesthetic. Despite these limitations, the film is saturated with satirical elements and an audacious approach to exploiting taboos. Key scenes—such as a surreal rape by a giant lobster and blasphemous acts performed in a church—epitomize Waters' intention to disturb and entertain simultaneously. Divine’s performance anchors the film, exuding an unapologetic charisma that overshadows the amateurish delivery of her co-stars.

The narrative’s deviations from coherence serve to amplify the chaotic and anarchic atmosphere that Waters intended. Characters regularly engage in extreme acts of immorality, whether it's violence, betrayal, or outrageous sexual exploits. While some moments are undoubtedly amateurish, others possess a raw vitality that makes "Multiple Maniacs" an unforgettable viewing experience. The Blu-ray release is enhanced by supplemental features such as an insightful audio commentary by John Waters, shedding light on his methods and motivations. For cinephiles intrigued by Waters' radical approach, this film provides an essential examination of his early artistic vision.

John Waters' "Multiple Maniacs" stands as a hallmark of anarchic filmmaking, showcasing early into his career a fusion of offensive humor and daring satire. This film is intensely provocative and designed to challenge viewers with its repulsive yet fascinating content, exemplified by scenes that include puke-eating and lobster-raping. It’s clear that Waters found joy in crossing, and indeed leaping over, societal boundaries, creating a unique cinematic experience that doesn’t cater to mainstream tastes but rather celebrates deviant art.

The Criterion Collection has masterfully restored "Multiple Maniacs" in 4K, greatly enhancing the film's visual fidelity. The restoration work leads to a newfound clarity, allowing the shocking visuals to be seen in striking detail. This Blu-ray edition also excels in its audio presentation, ensuring that Waters' signature blend of dialogue and unconventional soundtracks are delivered with excellent quality. Moreover, the package includes an array of extras that offer deeper insights into the film's production and its lasting impact on the world of cinema.

For those new to Waters’ work or seeking a more conventional viewing experience with popcorn in hand, "Multiple Maniacs" may prove too much to stomach. However, for cinephiles with an appreciation for the avant-garde and historically significant American cinema, this film is undeniably a must-see. The Criterion treatment renews its startling audacity for both longtime fans and new viewers alike.

I choose to view "Multiple Maniacs" as one giant freak show with a few exceptionally colorful characters that probably belong in the annals of American cinema but for all the wrong reasons. There is no doubt that it is not for everyone; it was never meant to be, and this is essentially the reason why it still largely works as intended. The film has been recently restored in 4K by Criterion and looks astonishing on Blu-ray. Let's hope that Lee Kline and his team will also be able to work on some of Paul Morrissey's films and bring them to the Collection. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.