Lord of the Flies Blu-ray Review
Score: 75
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Criterion's definitive Blu-ray of 'Lord of the Flies' boasts a remarkable 4K restoration, thought-provoking extras, and a must-own status for collectors. RECOMMENDED.
Disc Release Date
Video: 76
The 4K digital transfer of 'Lord of the Flies' on Blu-ray delivers remarkable clarity, depth, and restored visuals with outstanding detail and balanced blacks, whites, and grays, despite occasional softness, ensuring it stands as a definitive presentation of the film.
Audio: 65
The English LPCM 1.0 track on the 'Lord of the Flies' Blu-ray offers impressive depth, clarity, and balance despite the film's challenging original audio conditions, with no noticeable dropouts or distortions. Criterion's treatment of the source material ensures the dialogue remains clear, even amid intense environmental sounds.
Extra: 90
The Blu-ray extras of 'Lord of the Flies' deliver a comprehensive and technically enriching experience, featuring in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and insightful commentaries from key contributors, including Peter Brook and Gerald Feil, along with a unique novel reading by William Golding.
Movie: 77
Peter Brook’s 1963 adaptation of 'Lord of the Flies' presents a raw, near-documentary style that effectively captures the novel’s themes of human savagery, albeit with some criticisms on acting and narrative rhythm. Criterion's Blu-ray release enriches the experience with comprehensive supplements and outstanding visual quality, enhancing both technical and educational appreciation.
Video: 76
Criterion's Blu-ray release of Peter Brook's Lord of the Flies is a visual treat, presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC. This 1080p transfer, derived from a new 4K digital restoration supervised by Gerald Feil, showcases a significant leap in quality from previous releases. Utilizing an ARRISCAN film scanner, the 4K resolution transfer sources from a 35mm composite fine grain and a 35mm duplicate negative. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, and jitter were meticulously removed using MTI's DRS and Pixel Farm's PFClean, followed by further processing in 2K using Image Systems' Phoenix for small dirt, grain, noise reduction, and flicker.
Visually, the transfer manifests excellent detail and clarity, particularly in close-up shots that now reveal nuances previously obscured in older DVD editions. Notably, the nighttime scenes benefit immensely from this restoration; the blacks are deep and inky while maintaining a strong balance with whites and grays. Image depth is substantially improved, with grain beautifully resolved throughout the film. The corrective measures ensure an impressive level of image stability without problematic sharpening artifacts.
While some soft and hazy scenes persist due to the nature of the source material, they do not detract from the overall visual experience. Criterion's meticulous restoration effort is evident in the cinematic consistency of the grain, delivering a remarkable black-and-white presentation reminiscent of top-tier Blu-ray transfers like those seen in 'The Twilight Zone'. Overall, this Blu-ray release of Lord of the Flies sets a new benchmark for the film's home media presentations, likely to be regarded as the definitive edition for years to come.
Audio: 65
Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Lord of the Flies" features an English LPCM 1.0 audio track, complemented by optional English SDH subtitles. The source material presented significant challenges due to the loud environmental sounds during filming which necessitated substantial post-production dubbing. Despite these inherent flaws, Criterion's audio presentation is commendable. The dialogue, although initially beset with lip-sync issues and unnatural inflections, is notably clear in this lossless track.
Audio clarity, depth, and balance are achieved admirably, ensuring that such intricacies like dubbed dialogue are seamlessly integrated. The overall dynamic range might be somewhat constricted due to the mono configuration, but this does not detract significantly from the listening experience. Background sounds, including waves and wind, maintain a consistent presence without overwhelming the dialogue or contributing to muddled audio. Importantly, there are no audio dropouts, background hiss, or distortions, affirming the high quality of Criterion's restoration work on this high-definition track. This release should satisfy most fans, given its fidelity to the original audio while mitigating its inherent shortcomings.
Extras: 90
The Blu Ray edition of "Lord of the Flies" offers an impressive array of extras that significantly enrich the viewing experience. The highlight is a 33-minute interview with director Peter Brook, who provides insightful commentary on the film's production and style. The Behind the Scenes feature, segmented into three parts, offers home movies, screen tests, and outtakes, all with optional commentary by Brook and other crew members. Notably, the disc features a deleted scene enhancing character depth, and several interviews including a detailed discussion with editor Gerald Feil about the technical challenges faced during filming. Fans of William Golding will appreciate his novel reading, interspersed with scenes from the film, and an excerpt from a "South Bank Show" episode where he discusses the novel's genesis. Complementing these is rare footage captured by the young actors and a look into Peter Brook's theatrical work through "The Empty Space."
Extras included in this disc:
- Trailer: Official theatrical trailer with optional commentary by Gerald Feil.
- Behind the Scenes: Home movies, screen tests, outtakes, production scrapbook with optional commentary.
- Deleted Scene: A conversation between Jack and Ralph with multiple commentary options.
- Peter Brook: A video interview discussing the film’s production history.
- The South Bank Show: William Golding: Writer recalls the novel's origins and success.
- Interview with Gerald Feil: Discusses technical challenges during filming.
- The Empty Space: Excerpt focusing on Peter Brook's theater work.
- Living Lord of the Flies: 8mm camera footage by young actors with a reading by Tom Gaman.
- Novel Reading: Audio track featuring William Golding reading from his novel.
- Commentary: Audio commentary by Peter Brook and key crew.
- Booklet: Essay by Geoffrey Macnab and an excerpt from Peter Brook's book.
Movie: 77
Peter Brook’s 1963 adaptation of William Golding’s "Lord of the Flies" stands as a compelling piece of cinema that preserves the core message of the novel while presenting it through a distinctive, minimalist lens. The narrative follows a group of British school children stranded on a remote island after their plane crashes. Ralph (James Aubrey) and Piggy (Hugh Edwards) initially take charge, utilizing Piggy’s glasses to create a signal fire and encouraging democratic leadership. However, Jack (Tom Chapin) soon emerges as a charismatic counterforce, leveraging fear and primal instincts to gain dominance.
While the film diverges from the rich and darker details of Golding's novel, it effectively captures the descent from civilization to anarchy. Brook’s use of a near-documentary style heightens the rawness and immediacy of the boys' transformation into savagery. Non-professional actors lend an authenticity to this portrayal, though the performances occasionally exude an overzealous enthusiasm that disrupts the narrative rhythm. Despite certain limitations, the visual direction—marked by close-ups and poignant silences—enhances the thematic tension and psychological depth conveyed by Golding's story.
The dichotomy between Ralph’s initial civilized demeanor and his eventual moral deterioration is markedly emphasized, underscoring Golding’s examination of inherent human evil. While some critics argue that this adaptation lacks the novel’s atmospheric depth, it nevertheless remains a potent illustration of societal breakdown and inherent human violence. Brook's choice to eschew grandiose cinematic techniques in favor of a subdued, almost experimental presentation allows for a focus on the harrowing shifts in the boys' behavior and moral compass. This Criterion edition, complemented by insightful supplemental features, ensures that Brook’s vision continues to resonate as both a standalone film experience and a companion piece to Golding’s masterwork.
Total: 75
Criterion's Blu-ray release of Peter Brook's "Lord of the Flies" stands out as the most definitive home video edition of this classic film. Utilizing a new transfer from a 4K digital restoration, the visual and audio enhancements are exceptional, bringing the black-and-white cinematography to life with impressive clarity and detail. The film adaptation captures the essence of William Golding's acclaimed novel, although it should be noted that the book itself is often considered more thought-provoking.
The Blu-ray is packed with a comprehensive set of extras that add significant value for both fans and scholars. From an audio commentary featuring key members of the production team, including Peter Brook and Gerald Feil, to audio recordings of Golding himself reading excerpts from his novel, the supplementary content provides deep insights into the creation and interpretation of the film. Additionally, the inclusion of deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews enriches the viewing experience, while the 28-page booklet offers critical perspectives and historical context.
Criterion collectors will undoubtedly find this edition indispensable due to its high-quality restoration and extensive extras. For general viewers, it's a highly recommended release that offers both exceptional technical quality and substantial supplementary content.
Peter Brook's film remains the best adaptation of William Golding's famous novel. But if you are unfamiliar with it, I strongly encourage you to read it first before seeing the film. In my opinion, the novel is substantially better and far more thought-provoking than the film. Using a new transfer from a 4K digital restoration, Criterion's Blu-ray release of Lord of the Flies is likely to remain the film's definitive home video release for years to come. RECOMMENDED.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 100
Perhaps the most impressive improvements, however, are present during the nighttime footage where the balance between the blacks, whites and variety of grays is indeed outstanding....
Audio: 90
It is a well known fact that there are portions of the dialog that had to be dubbed because the filming conditions were not ideal, but with this new lossless track one would have an incredibly difficult...
Extras: 100
Peter Brook - in this video interview, director Peter Brook discusses the production history of Lord of the Flies and the film's style and structure....
Movie: 70
Simon, one of the most important characters in the book, is also transformed into a quiet loner whose relationship with the "beast" is seriously shortened and downplayed....
Total: 80
Using a new transfer from a 4K digital restoration, Criterion's Blu-ray release of Lord of the Flies is likely to remain the film's definitive home video release for years to come....
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 95
Audio: 90
Extras: 100
Movie: 90
Lord of the Flies, the film, is an adaptation of the novel from 1963 by a mostly theater director by the name of Peter Brook....
Total: 94
There’s an audio commentary with director Peter Brook, producer Lewis Allen, director of photography Tom Hollyman and camerman/editor Gerald Feil; audio recordings of William Golding reading from the novel...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Blacks, for the most part, are sharp and inky providing great contrast against the whites....
Audio: 60
Since the wind and water were so loud where they filmed the movie, much of the movie's dialogue had to be rerecorded later by the actors in a sound booth....
Extras: 80
A video interview with Peter Book filmed in 2008 in which he talks about the shooting the film and its unique cinematic style....
Movie: 80
There's something eternally truthful about the way this story plays out – which is a big part of its classic status....
Total: 80
It's one of the more recognizable films in the Criterion collection given its source material....
Director: Peter Brook
Actors: James Aubrey, Tom Chapin, Hugh Edwards
PlotA plane carrying British schoolboys crashes on a deserted tropical island, stranding the boys without any adult supervision. Initially, the boys, led by Ralph and advised by the intelligent Piggy, attempt to organize a civilized society by establishing rules and assigning roles such as building shelters and maintaining a signal fire for rescue. They find a conch shell, using it as a symbol of authority and a tool to gather the group for meetings. However, as time passes, the semblance of order begins to fray, partly influenced by the personalities of certain boys like the authoritative Jack, who becomes obsessed with hunting wild pigs on the island.
Tensions rise as Jack's obsession with hunting starts to conflict with Ralph’s focus on being rescued. The boys are increasingly fearful of a perceived "beast" lurking on the island, which exacerbates their descent into savagery. Divisions within the group grow sharper, leading to power struggles and fractured alliances. The island's environment and isolation bring out the primal instincts in the boys, challenging their initial attempts to maintain civility and cooperation.
Writers: William Golding, Peter Brook
Release Date: 13 Aug 1963
Runtime: 92 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English, Latin