Eye of the Cat Blu-ray Review

Shout! Factory's Blu-ray presentation of "Eye of the Cat" marks its debut in the home video market with an MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 transfer. The restoration efforts, utilizing the best film and audio elements from Universal's vaults, aim to recapture the film's Technicolor glory evident in its original theatrical release. However, despite the meticulous care, the transfer is hampered by numerous film artifacts. Small white specks frequently dot the frames, and debris as well as slight rings and blotches intermittently appear. Additionally, dirt occasionally mars the image integrity. The transfer maintains an average video bitrate of 31999 kbps, with the total disc carrying a robust 35.52 Mbps. This results in a generally consistent and substantial visual quality, though the artifacts diminish the overall experience slightly.

While the film's color reproduction and definition strive to meet the expectations set by Technicolor prints, the inconsistencies from shot to shot due to residual artifacts prevent a flawless presentation. Despite these issues, the disc's video section reflects a significant effort to bring "Eye of the Cat" to modern home viewers with as much fidelity to the original material as possible. My assessment of the video quality stands at 3.25, acknowledging both the strengths in bit rate management and color accuracy, as well as the notable imperfections that need addressing. Scene selections are effectively navigable through both the main menu and remote, offering convenience for viewers wishing to revisit specific moments of this vintage thriller.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Eye of the Cat" by Shout! Factory boasts a pristinely restored DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Dual Mono track at 1651 kbps and 24-bit. The vintage monaural mix delivers a highly satisfying auditory experience with minimal source flaws. Composer Lalo Schifrin’s chilling score, which masterfully incorporates harpsichord, piano, percussion, screeching violins, and delicate woodwinds, creates an immersive and frightening atmosphere, making the lack of a soundtrack release in any format unfathomable.

The singular audio option, an English 2.0 DTS-HD track, provides clean and clear dialogue, as well as sound effects that demonstrate notable lift during intense sequences involving the cats. The track manages to avoid any residual hiss, crackle, or dropouts, ensuring a seamless listening experience. Additionally, the English SDH subtitles offer a mostly error-free transcription of the dialogue with only minor spelling and grammatical errors. Overall, this dual mono track exemplifies high technical quality and effective atmospheric enhancement critical for the film’s tension and eerie moments.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "Eye of the Cat" provide a compelling glimpse into the film's history and promotional material. The Television Version offers an intriguing look at an alternate cut, notable for its differences from the theatrical release despite a less-than-stellar picture quality. The Original Radio Spot is a nostalgic touch with clear audio and plenty of thematic flair. The Theatrical Trailer, although unrestored and presented in an unusual aspect ratio, is a fascinating piece of the film's original marketing. Lastly, the Still Gallery impressively compiles American and international ad campaigns, though the inclusion of a pressbook PDF would have been a welcome addition. These extras collectively enrich the viewing experience by offering historical context and vintage promotional materials.

Extras included in this disc:

• Television Version of the Film: Broadcast version with notable differences, mediocre picture quality.
• Original Radio Spot: Clear archival recording.
• Theatrical Trailer: Unrestored trailer, presented in about 1.66:1 aspect ratio.
• Still Gallery: Slide show of around seventy-eight images covering ad campaigns.

"Eye of the Cat," penned by Joseph Stefano and released in 1969, is a lesser-known Hitchcockian thriller set in San Francisco, a city that has previously served as the backdrop for classics like "Vertigo" and "The Birds." Stefano, best known for his work on "Psycho," crafted this tale of suspense and psychological tension, revisiting familiar themes of fear and human vulnerability. The film follows the story of Wylie (Michael Sarrazin), a young man with ailurophobia—a morbid fear of cats—who gets embroiled in a murder plot orchestrated by his lover, Kassia (Gayle Hunnicut), against his wealthy aunt Danny (Eleanor Parker). The script cleverly interweaves scenic vistas of iconic San Francisco locations such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Lafayette Park, enriching the visual appeal of this twisted tale.

The narrative unfolds with rich character dynamics and moral ambiguities. Wylie is torn between loyalty to his family and the manipulative allure of Kassia, while dealing with his paralyzing fear of felines. This dichotomy forms the crux of the master-slave relationships depicted throughout the film. However, one noted flaw in Stefano's screenplay is the early revelation of characters' intentions, which somewhat diminishes the mystery upon repeat viewing. Despite this, the film manages to maintain suspense and tension, engaging the audience through various twists and turns up until its dramatic conclusion.

Critically, "Eye of the Cat" received mixed reviews upon release. While some praised its suspenseful structure and thematic depth, others felt it fell short of its potential. The movie's blend of horror and psychological thriller elements garnered appreciation for its unique take on the 'animals attack' sub-genre produced by a major studio. Overall, "Eye of the Cat" stands out as an intriguing, albeit flawed, cinematic piece with an engaging narrative rooted in human fear and moral conflict.

"Eye of the Cat" emerges as a noteworthy resurfacing courtesy of Shout! Factory's dedicated restoration efforts. The film, directed by David Lowell Rich, serves as a captivating time capsule that captures the essence of the late 1960s. While it may not be the definitive study of that era as Rich once posited, it stands as a significant film worth rediscovery. The technicolor photography by Ellsworth Fredericks and Russell Metty adds a visually striking element; however, the presence of substantial artifacting detracts from its full potential, indicating a need for comprehensive digital remastering.

The Blu-ray release is a mixed bag in terms of presentation. Though the visual element could benefit from a cleaner digital intermediate, the inclusion of the TV cut is a welcome bonus for enthusiasts. Missing, however, are new interviews with the film’s surviving stars, which would have added insightful context and bolstered the release’s appeal. Nonetheless, Scream Factory's meticulous work in bringing this obscure gem back to life is commendable and should not go unnoticed.

Conclusively, "Eye of the Cat" is an exciting reissue for genre aficionados and general film enthusiasts alike. It stands as a nostalgic piece with both historical and entertainment value. While the technical presentation has room for improvement, the film's availability on Blu-ray is ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED for those eager to revisit or explore this slice of cinematic history.