Carrie Blu-ray Review

The 40th-anniversary Blu-ray presentation of "Carrie" by Scream Factory is an impressive achievement, leveraging a new 4K scan of the original camera negative to deliver a notably superior 1080p transfer in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This transfer marks a significant upgrade from previous releases, particularly the earlier MGM version. The grain field has been managed adeptly, providing a more stable and natural representation without succumbing to overzealous DNR practices. Detail levels are markedly enhanced, highlighted by clearer textures in hair, makeup, and wardrobe, yet retaining the film’s signature dream-like softness and occasional intentional blooming due to its unique contrast and lighting choices.

Color reproduction has seen substantial refinement, with primary colors now appearing more true to life – reds no longer exhibit the previous orange-pink tinge and are much more vibrant. Skin tones are natural and consistent throughout the film, lending a healthier appearance to the characters. The contrast has been adjusted as well, pulling back brightness slightly to allow for more natural saturation and deeper blacks, improving image depth and adding dimensionality without compromising shadow detail.

Compression artifacts from prior releases, such as edge enhancement, banding, and haloing, have been successfully mitigated in this edition. The restoration work is commendable, with minimal residual speckling or fine scratches that were more prominent in earlier versions. This transfer substantially clarifies scenes, although the gauzy aesthetic remains an intentional trait of the original cinematography. Overall, this Blu-ray edition of "Carrie" stands out as the best visual presentation of the film to date, offering a crisp, dynamic viewing experience while faithfully preserving its vintage cinematic essence.

The audio presentation of "Carrie" on Blu-ray, featuring DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 mono tracks, delivers a robust experience. The 5.1 mix, while primarily anchored to the front channels, excels during the iconic prom sequence, where Pino Donaggio's score and various sound effects effectively exploit the surround channels to enhance the immersive quality. This mix is significantly more refined than the previous MGM release, devoid of any noticeable brightness and boasting substantial midrange and low-end depth. The low-frequency extension is commendable, with elements such as doors slamming and the climactic house collapse generating palpable vibrations. Dialogue reproduction remains crisp and clean across both tracks, though it can be slightly subdued during softer moments.

The 2.0 mono track—boosted to stereo—offers a more front-loaded soundstage, often preferred for its natural fullness and similarity to the film's original auditory experience. While it may tighten the sense of imaging compared to the 5.1 mix, many fans might appreciate its directness and simplicity. Both tracks are devoid of age-related hiss or pops, ensuring an undistracted listening experience. The 5.1 track, while not as dynamic in quieter sequences, excels in atmospheric details and overall sound fidelity, particularly in scenes where Carrie's powers manifest.

Overall, both audio options enhance the film's atmosphere in distinct ways. The 5.1 mix brings out the full potential of ambient sounds and the musical score during high-intensity scenes, while the 2.0 track retains a natural consistency throughout. Fans of "Carrie" will find much to appreciate in these well-crafted audio presentations, maintaining clarity and depth that slightly edge out prior releases. Subtitles in English SDH are available for those needing accessibility options.

The Blu-ray release of "Carrie" offers an expansive array of special features that significantly enhance the viewing experience. Disc one features the original theatrical trailer and a gallery of franchise trailers, while disc two is packed with in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and retrospective analyses. Highlights include engaging interviews with key personnel, such as screenwriter Lawrence Cohen, director of photography Mario Tosi, and editor Paul Hirsch. These provide valuable insights into the film’s adaptation, visual style, and editing process. The archival features, including "Acting Carrie" and "Visualizing Carrie," offer nostalgic reflections from the original cast and crew. Composer Pino Donaggio's interview delves into the film's memorable score, with influences from Bernard Hermann. Additionally, fans will appreciate the "Horror’s Hallowed Grounds" segment, which revisits the film’s shooting locations.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Original movie trailer.
• Carrie Franchise Trailer Gallery: Collection of various trailers from the franchise.
• Writing Carrie: Insightful interview with screenwriter Lawrence Cohen.
• Shooting Carrie: Discussion with director of photography Mario Tosi.
• Cutting Carrie: Editor Paul Hirsch’s take on the film’s editing process.
• Casting Carrie: Casting director Harriet B. Helberg on finding the right cast.
• Acting Carrie: Archival interviews with principal cast and crew.
• More Acting Carrie: New interviews with notable cast members.
• Visualizing Carrie: Archival feature on adapting King’s novel.
• Bucket of Blood: Interview with composer Pino Donaggio.
• Horror’s Hallowed Grounds: Visit to the film’s shooting locations.
• Carrie, The Musical: Brief piece on the failed musical adaptation.
• TV Spots: Collection of TV trailers.
• Radio Spots: Audio advertisements for the film.
• Still Gallery - Rare Behind-The-Scenes: Behind-the-scenes photos.
• Still Gallery - Posters and Lobby Cards: Collection of promotional materials.
• Stephen King and the Evolution of Carrie Text Gallery: Text history detailing King’s creative process.

Brian De Palma’s "Carrie," an adaptation of Stephen King’s debut novel, has rightfully cemented itself as a cornerstone of horror cinema since its release in 1976. The film stands out not only for its terrifying supernatural elements but also for its incisive examination of religious fanaticism. Sissy Spacek's Oscar-nominated performance as Carrie White is both poignant and chilling, encapsulating the anguish of a teenage girl tormented by her peers and dominated by her hyper-religious mother, played menacingly by Piper Laurie. The Christian subtext, meticulously detailed in the portrayal of Margaret White's zealotry, intensifies the horror, elevating the film beyond a mere genre piece to a disturbing exploration of radical belief systems colliding with natural human development.

From the infamous opening shower scene to its climactic, blood-soaked prom night massacre, De Palma’s direction imbues the narrative with a sense of impending doom. Utilizing his hallmark split-screen techniques and unflinching cinematic voyeurism, De Palma crafts a suspenseful atmosphere that builds toward one of the most iconic third acts in horror history. The film’s non-traditional structure eschews formulaic scares in favor of character-driven tension and psychological terror, making Carrie's telekinetic rampage both emotionally and viscerally impactful. Moreover, the cast's compelling performances, especially from Spacek and Laurie, enhance the film’s unsettling authenticity, underlined by celebrated scenes such as Laurie's unsettling scripture-quoting moments or the gym class prank gone horrifyingly awry.

"Carrie" resists aging, maintaining its relevance thanks to universally resonant themes of bullying, repression, and the struggle for identity amidst extreme parental control. This timeless quality is amplified by De Palma’s fearless direction and King’s robust source material, creating a film that remains both a seminal piece of 70s cinema and a masterclass in horror storytelling. The combination of these factors has ensured "Carrie" not only survives but thrives in cultural significance and critical acclaim four decades on.

Scream Factory's Collector's Edition Blu-ray release of "Carrie" is a definitive presentation of Brian De Palma's 1976 horror masterpiece. This edition features a stunning new image transfer that vividly captures the film's haunting visuals, making De Palma's film feel as fresh as a pristine theater print. Complementing the visual excellence is an effective audio track that immerses viewers into the eerie atmosphere of this Stephen King adaptation.

The release is further elevated by an impressive package of supplementary materials. Fans are treated to an extensive array of both new and archival bonus features that delve deeply into the film's production, impact, and legacy. These extras offer a wealth of information and entertainment that enrich the viewing experience, which makes this release invaluable for both long-time enthusiasts and newer viewers.

In conclusion, about the only thing that might have made this new edition of "Carrie" better would have been a commentary with King and De Palma (hey, we can dream, can't we?). Otherwise, this is a great-looking and sounding effort from Scream Factory, and as typical with this imprint, the supplementary package is outstanding. Highly recommended.