The Seduction Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Seduction" excels in delivering a noticeably improved video quality, often displayed in an AVC encoded 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Studio Canal appears to have provided at least a 2K master, resulting in a film-like texture that captures the era's grainy yet vibrant aesthetic. Colors are rich and well-saturated, with vivid reds and earthy tones from Jamie's wardrobe standing out. The facial close-ups are sharp, maintaining consistent skin tones. However, some sections appear grainier, particularly in dimly lit scenes where black levels can obscure details. Mild speckling is present, but overall, the source material is in remarkable condition—offering a smoother, cleaner visual experience than previous DVD releases.

Detail clarity and depth are satisfactory, with backgrounds providing a decent pushback without distortions, and camera movements remaining smooth. Despite its inherent vintage grain, the print is glossed to retain some of the 80s charm without sacrificing higher-end quality expectations. The BD-50 disc’s efficient AVC encode handles this grain without introducing artifacts, ensuring an error-free viewing experience. Shadow delineation and contrast levels are optimal, enhancing the movie's cinematic appeal. In summary, Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release provides a notable improvement in video fidelity, likely standing as the definitive home video version for this nostalgic thriller.

The audio presentation of "The Seduction" on Blu-ray delivers a balanced and proficient DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track that adheres to the film's original theatrical mix. The opening theme by Dionne Warwick showcases remarkable clarity and fine instrumentation, setting a strong precedent for the soundtrack's overall fidelity. Master composer Lalo Schifrin's score benefits from a warm and well-defined orchestral presence, enhancing the emotional depth of the scenes without overwhelming. Although the dialogue occasionally wades through murkier passages, it remains largely clear and intelligible throughout. The atmosphere is subtly conveyed, with noticeable but not dominant sound effects in bustling newsroom scenes and poolside ambiances.

This mono mix exhibits decent range and smooth fidelity, apt for a dialogue-centric thriller like "The Seduction." The track's modest bass and limited audio design focus on maintaining clear and crisp dialogue reproduction, ensuring the vocals are both audible and integral to each scene’s context. Interestingly, the audio takes a slight but effective leap with low-frequency effects, such as a shotgun blast, adding depth to key moments. English subtitles are presented in a white font within the widescreen 2.35:1 format, ensuring accessibility without intrusion. Overall, the audio mix serves the film well, providing a faithful and immersive listening experience that complements the visual storytelling adeptly.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Seduction" provide a comprehensive and nostalgic dive into the film's history and production. Highlights include insightful interviews with key cast and crew members, offering firsthand accounts of their experiences. Morgan Fairchild’s interview vividly recounts her career development and on-set memories, while Andrew Stevens discusses his apprehensions about playing the villain. Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis shares the film’s backstory, detailing collaborations and production challenges. Older featurettes comprise a rich archive of behind-the-scenes stories and legal perspectives on the film’s themes. These extras significantly enhance the viewing experience, appealing to both long-time fans and new viewers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Beauty and Strength: Interview with Actress Morgan Fairchild.
• The Seducer: Interview with Actor Andrew Stevens.
• Flashbacks: Interview with Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis.
• Remembering The Seduction: Featurette with cast and crew interviews.
• Remembering the Locations and Production: Discussion on location scouting and set design.
• Remembering The Seduction and The Law: Insights into real-life stalking cases and their influence.
• Audio Commentary: With Producers Irwin Yablans, Bruce Cohn Curtis, and David Schmoeller.
• Original Theatrical Trailer & TV Spot: Promotional content.
• Still Gallery: Collection of related images.

"The Seduction," David Schmoeller’s 1982 thriller, offers a sensationalized depiction of an anchorwoman's terrifying ordeal with a dangerously obsessed fan. Morgan Fairchild, transitioning from television to her first major film role, plays Jamie Douglas, an L.A. news reporter whose idyllic life with boyfriend Brandon (Michael Sarrazin) quickly unravels as Derek (Andrew Stevens), a disturbed photographer, escalates his invasive attempts to possess her. Schmoeller's film follows the template of the stalker genre closely, gradually increasing suspense but frequently veering into the realm of parody.

Fairchild’s portrayal is central to the film’s appeal; her presence anchors the narrative despite its many ridiculous turns. The direction capitalizes on Fairchild's allure, opening with an iconic scene where she takes a nude midnight swim, observed through Derek’s voyeuristic lens—a scene more titillating than the script’s intended thrills. This aesthetic focus persists throughout the movie, with numerous scenes devoted to capturing Jamie in various states of vulnerability and undress, hyper-emphasizing physicality over substance.

Derek’s descent into psychosis is depicted with sporadic success. While Stevens offers a compelling portrayal of a man unhinged, the storytelling falters. Scenes intended to underscore tension often come off as ludicrous due to stilted dialogue and contrived plot points. The societal commentary on stalking laws is present but weakly executed, contributing to a narrative that struggles to balance thrills with social critique. Moreover, the film’s production quality betrays its low-budget origins, resembling a made-for-TV movie rather than a cinematic thriller.

In essence, "The Seduction" is an artifact of its time, marked by its exploitation elements and uneven execution. For fans of Morgan Fairchild or vintage schlock cinema, it provides a nostalgic ride through 1980s pop culture and genre conventions. However, contemporary viewers may find its dated approach and pacing challenging, rendering it more of a historical curiosity than a timeless thriller.

"The Seduction" is a seductive thriller that serves as a nostalgic time capsule from the early 1980s, centered around Morgan Fairchild’s portrayal of an attractive celebrity targeted by a deranged admirer. Although the film doesn’t rise to the narrative heights set by its successors in the genre from the late 80s and early 90s, Fairchild's performance exhibits an engaging evolution from victim to resilient fighter which lends energy to the final act. Her co-star, Andrew Stevens, delivers a convincing portrayal of the menacing stalker, adding layers of tension to an otherwise straightforward screenplay.

Scream Factory's Blu-ray edition showcases impressive technical craftsmanship. The visual quality is upheld with a 2.39:1 AVC encode, ensuring crisp and clear imagery that stands the test of time. The audio offerings, including English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and DTS-HD MA 2.0 tracks, deliver robust sound that enhances the viewing experience. With English subtitles available, the film is accessible to a broader audience.

Complementing the solid audiovisual presentation are numerous extras and featurettes, making this release a treasure trove for enthusiasts. Scream Factory has ensured that collectors and newcomers alike can delve deeper into the film with new interviews and previously released content, positioning this Blu-ray as the definitive edition of "The Seduction."

In conclusion, "The Seduction" is a cheesy yet fun watch that may not hold up to modern standards but still offers a good blend of retro charm for genre aficionados. Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release is a notable achievement in terms of transfer quality and supplemental material. While not an undeniable classic, it will certainly appeal to its niche audience and is worth adding to any collection if found at a reasonable price.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Morgan Fairchild, Michael Sarrazin, Vince Edwards, Kevin Brophy, Colleen Camp, Andrew Stevens, Betty Kean, Wendy Smith Howard, Woodrow Parfrey
• Directed by: David Schmoeller
• Written By: David Schmoeller
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC
• Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, English DTS-HD MA 2.0
• Subtitles: English
• Studio: Scream Factory
• Rated: R
• Runtime: 104 Minutes
• Blu-ray Release Date: May 21st, 2019

Recommendation: Cheesy, Nostalgic Watch