A Boy and His Dog Blu-ray Review
Apocalypse 2024 | Collector's Edition
Score: 61
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
A Boy and His Dog's smart adaptation, improved Blu-ray quality, and must-see featurette make it a highly recommended addition to your collection.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 59
The AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.35:1 of 'A Boy and His Dog' by Shout! Factory is a vast improvement over previous home video versions, with markedly better color, contrast, and shadow detail despite the persistence of grain, specks, scratches, and occasional frame warping or jitter.
Audio: 66
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track for 'A Boy and His Dog' offers clean, crisp dialogue with no popping, hissing, or cracking, though it sounds somewhat shallow and boxy, especially for Blood's voice. The score, enhanced by Ray Manzarek's keyboard work, delivers surprising fullness and a wide dynamic range.
Extra: 61
The Blu-ray extras for 'A Boy and His Dog' include a compelling commentary with Director L.Q. Jones, critic Charles Champlin, and cinematographer John Arthur Morrill, rich in technical and anecdotal insights; a must-watch, candid 51-minute conversation between Jones and Writer Harlan Ellison; along with a quirky theatrical trailer and vintage radio spots.
Movie: 66
"A Boy and His Dog," based on Harlan Ellison's short story, is a cult classic set in a post-apocalyptic 2024 where Vic (Don Johnson) and his telepathic dog Blood navigate a barren wasteland. Despite its initial lack of success, the film's whimsical yet serious take on relationships and its darkly humorous ending have garnered enduring interest, emphasized in this detailed Blu-ray presentation.
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Video: 59
The Blu-ray presentation of "A Boy and His Dog" by Shout! Factory, encoded in AVC 1080p and maintaining a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, represents a significant improvement over previous DVD issues. Color reproduction and contrast have been notably enhanced, providing a richer visual experience. The shadow detail is commendable; however, viewers will observe consistent graininess throughout, which is particularly accentuated in darker scenes. While some restoration work has been undertaken, numerous imperfections remain evident. Minor yet noticeable frame warping and image jitter can be seen, particularly during the initial desert establishing shot. Specks, scratches, and occasional color correction inconsistencies also persist, somewhat marring the viewing experience but not detracting significantly from the overall upgraded quality.
Despite these technical flaws, the high-definition transfer does offer a substantial increase in detail, bringing out elements previously obscured in older home video formats. The grain, while abundant, contributes to an authentic filmic texture rather than detracting from it. Notably, in scenes that are notoriously difficult to render well due to low lighting conditions, the Blu-ray does a decent job of delineating details that were barely visible in earlier VHS incarnations. While nitpicky perfectionists might long for a more meticulous restoration process, the pragmatic cinephile will likely find this version more than satisfying. In summary, while not flawless, this Blu-ray release provides a vastly superior visual upgrade from its predecessors and should appease both new viewers and long-time fans of the film.
Audio: 66
The audio presentation of "A Boy and His Dog" on Blu-ray offers a lossless mono track delivered via DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, which, while retaining its original mono format, is spread across both left and right front speakers. Despite inherent limitations typical of mono soundtracks, this audio track shines with impressive clarity. The dialogue is clean, crisp, and very easily understandable, avoiding common pitfalls such as popping, hissing, or cracking. The overall fidelity is remarkably good, with a decent dynamic range that enriches the viewing experience.
Special mention must be made of the film's score, crafted by Tim McIntire (who also voices Blood), and featuring Ray Manzarek on keyboards. While Blood's voice has always been somewhat boxy from the film's theatrical days, the score presents a surprising fullness and depth in this mono format. There are no noticeable audio dropouts or damage, which ensures that neither the dialogue nor the score loses integrity during playback. The fidelity and dynamic range are commendable, adding subtle layers to an otherwise simple audio presentation. For viewers seeking accessible viewing options, English subtitles are available on both the Blu-ray and DVD versions of the film.
Extra: 61
The Blu-ray extras for "A Boy and His Dog" provide an enriching look into the film's production and background. The Commentary with Director L.Q. Jones, joined by cinematographer John Arthur Morrill and film critic Charles Champlin, delivers an engaging mix of technical detail and intriguing anecdotes, though Jones' persistent self-deprecation may grate on some listeners. The highlight, however, is In Conversation: Director L.Q. Jones and Writer Harlan Ellison, a candid and often humorous dialogue that reflects their complex relationship and offers insight into the creative tensions behind the film, particularly regarding changes to the film's final line. This segment is a must-watch. Additionally, the archival Theatrical Trailer and Radio Spots add historical context and period flavor.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Director L.Q. Jones, Director of Photography John Arthur Morrill, and Critic Charles Champlin: Insightful discussion with technical and anecdotal information.
- In Conversation: Director L.Q. Jones and Writer Harlan Ellison: Candid, humorous dialogue between director and writer.
- Theatrical Trailer: Short but intriguing promotional trailer.
- Radio Spots: Collection of vintage audio spots for the film.
Movie: 66
"A Boy and His Dog" remains one of the most peculiar and compelling films to emerge from the post-apocalyptic genre. The movie, based on Harlan Ellison's 1969 short story, is a unique blend of dark humor, satirical socio-political commentary, and a dystopian narrative. Directed by L.Q. Jones, who also adapted the screenplay, the film stars a young Don Johnson as Vic. Set in the desolate year of 2024, Earth's surface has turned into a barren wasteland due to successive World Wars, leaving Vic and his telepathic dog, Blood (voiced by Tim McIntire), to scavenge for essentials like food and women. Blood's telepathy adds a surreal yet compelling layer, enabling a symbiotic relationship where Blood sniffs out women in exchange for food.
Upon encountering Quilla June (Susanne Benton), Vic follows her to the underground society of New Topeka, despite Blood's warnings. Underground, Vic discovers a bizarre, Fellini-esque world dominated by a conformist community led by Lou Craddock (Jason Robards). This society is marked by its citizens' clownish makeup and homogenized conduct, with authoritarian loudspeakers incessantly broadcasting societal norms. Vic quickly becomes disillusioned after learning that the town's plans for him involve clinical sperm extraction rather than the physical exploits he envisioned. The storyline takes darker turns as Quilla June's ulterior motives unravel, leading to a grimly humorous finale that reinforces the film's cult status.
What sets "A Boy and His Dog" apart from traditional post-apocalyptic fare is its focus on relationships and survival ethics. The film's strength lies in its narrative complexity, blending whimsical elements with serious undercurrents. Ellison's influence looms large over the film, despite not writing the screenplay himself. The final result is a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, driven by Ellison's penetrating insight into societal breakdown and intimate bonds under extreme duress.
Total: 61
The Blu-ray release of "A Boy and His Dog" offers an enhanced experience of this cult classic that successfully blends dark humor and a post-apocalyptic setting. The film, adapted from Harlan Ellison's novella, has always stood out for its unique narrative and engaging wit, aspects that translate effectively in this new format. This release features vastly improved video quality and good audio, ensuring that the film’s distinctive visual style and dialogue resonate more deeply with contemporary audiences. A standout addition is the must-see featurette with Ellison and director L.Q. Jones, providing valuable insight into the creative process behind this underrated gem.
This edition of "A Boy and His Dog" also boasts commendable supplemental content that enriches the viewing experience. Despite some minor flaws in the transfer, it’s an upgrade from previous versions, making it a valuable addition to any cinephile’s collection. The film's atypical approach and idiosyncratic sense of humor may not appeal to everyone, especially those expecting a conventional sci-fi or adventure film. However, it retains its charm and remains intellectually stimulating for those open to its offbeat storytelling.
In conclusion, having first discovered "A Boy and His Dog" in an almost empty college auditorium where its humor seemed misunderstood, I’ve found it a uniquely satisfying film that deserves its renewed attention through this Blu-ray release. The upgrades in video and audio quality, combined with thoughtful supplements including a featurette with Ellison and Jones, make this a highly recommended purchase. This Blu-ray version not only preserves but enhances the film’s peculiar charm, ensuring its place as a memorable and essential part of any classic science fiction collection.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 70
Color and contrast are markedly improved here, though while I suspect some moderate restoration has been done here, there is quite a bit of relatively minor but extant damage to the elements, which includes...
Audio: 80
While this is quite shallow sounding, and is especially boxy with regard to Blood's voice (something that always plagued this film from its theatrical exhibition onward), there's surprising fullness to...
Extras: 80
These two icons, who have a long and somewhat tempestuous history between them, have smoked the figurative peace pipe and give a wonderfully funny, acerbic and insightful look back on how the film came...
Movie: 80
His published works now extend into the thousands, including everything from novels to short stories to films to television, and with an oeuvre that overwhelming, it's perhaps surprising to hear Ellison...
Total: 80
The film has always been an odd duck of sorts (not to mix creature metaphors, considering its canine focus), and that may confuse some viewers who come to it expecting a kind of junior Mad Max or slightly...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 40
Obviously, a more attentive frame-by-frame removal of issues would have served this movie better (chances are this is the last update this film will receive for a while, if not the last ever), but again,...
Audio: 60
The DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track is actually a 2.0 track, although the same audio is coming from both one's left and right front speakers (the same is true of the Dolby Digital mono track placed on the...
Extras: 40
But L.Q. makes his own points, including his belief that the last line of the movie (which L.Q. changed from Ellison's novella, and which Ellison absolutely hates) is perfect for the film that he made....
Movie: 60
They're soon surrounded and attacked by a group looking to take the woman for themselves, but Vic is able to shoot the invaders that enter the gym, while the others outside are scared off by a mysterious...
Total: 40
I've never been in love with 'A Boy and His Dog' as a movie, but I like it enough to recommend it to those who have yet to see the film....
Director: L.Q. Jones
Actors: Don Johnson, Jason Robards, Susanne Benton
PlotIn a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by nuclear war, a young scavenger named Vic roams the desolate wasteland with his telepathic dog, Blood. Together, they struggle to find food and fend off violent bands of marauders. Blood helps Vic locate women, trading his superior sense of smell for a share of their meals, while serving as Vic's mentor and guide. The two share a cynical and symbiotic relationship, relying on each other's unique skills to survive in their hostile environment. Vic's life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters a mysterious and alluring woman named Quilla June.
Quilla June leads Vic to an underground society that has attempted to preserve a semblance of pre-war life but at a significant cost. As Vic navigates this new world, he discovers a rigid and oppressive regime lurking beneath its polished exterior. His rebellious spirit draws the ire of the society's leaders, setting off a series of conflicts that pit Vic's survival instincts against the controlled order of the subterranean civilization. The film explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the human condition against the backdrop of a dystopian future.
Writers: L.Q. Jones, Harlan Ellison, Wayne Cruseturner
Release Date: 14 Nov 1975
Runtime: 91 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English