The Brood Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of David Cronenberg's "The Brood," released by Criterion, boasts an impressive 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC encoded transfer. This transfer respects Cronenberg's preferred aspect ratio of 1.78:1, ensuring the film retains its original visual intent whether viewed on standard 4:3 televisions or widescreen displays. Supervised by Cronenberg himself, the digital transfer was created in 2K resolution using an ARRISCAN film scanner from a 35mm interpositive at Vision Globale in Montreal. Both major and minor imperfections like dirt, debris, and scratches were meticulously removed using MTI's DRS, while Digital Vision's Phoenix was employed for finer enhancements like grain and noise management.

Visually, the film looks extraordinary. Detail and clarity are consistently high with enhanced fluidity, image balance, shadow definition, contrast, and sharpness. This improvement is evident in scenes such as the opening shot featuring two characters clad in textured tan robes and throughout various settings showcasing a rich palette of colors. Skin tones and clothing textures are vividly rendered, while deep blacks and excellent shadow delineation enhance scenes like Barton wandering Juliana's house. The film has a natural grain structure that noticeably intensifies during specific moments—most prominently in close-ups and scenes with heavy filtering. Despite this increase, the grain remains well-managed and appropriate to the film’s aesthetic.

Overall stability and color grading are top-notch, thanks to the concerted efforts of Cronenberg, transfer supervisors Lee Kline, and colorist Chris Wallace from Deluxe, Toronto. The presentation provides an organic and visually faithful representation of the original material, earning it high marks among its peers. This release represents the best technical presentation of "The Brood" available on the home video market today.

The audio presentation of "The Brood" Blu-ray features a sole English LPCM 1.0 track, accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles. The film's sound design is inherently modest, with a prominent yet effective use of Howard Shore's score, which proves particularly impactful during the latter half of the film. Notably, some additional restoration work has been performed, enhancing the balance of mid/high-frequencies, ensuring a more refined auditory experience.

Remastering the original monaural soundtrack at 24-bit from the 35 mm magnetic track involved meticulous removal of clicks, thumps, hiss, hum, and crackle using advanced tools such as Pro Tools HD, AudioCube's integrated workstation, and iZotope RX 4. Despite the age of the track, it remains clear of damage and artifacts. While the dynamic range remains adequate, characterized by bursts of music and dialogue clarity, certain high pitches in the score may occasionally become a slight distraction. Overall, the track displays an even mix of elements and consistent speech intelligibility.

The extras on the Blu-ray of David Cronenberg's "The Brood" offer a compelling deep dive into the director’s early works and the film’s production. The highlight is the exclusive documentary Birth Pains, presenting behind-the-scenes insights from cinematographer Mark Irwin, actress Samantha Eggar, and other key contributors, detailing Cronenberg’s distinctive style and special effects. This release also features a restored version of Cronenberg's second feature film, Crimes of the Future, along with an insightful interview in David Cronenberg – The Early Years where he discusses his filmmaking journey. Archival and contemporary interviews provide additional context, including actor discussions in Meet The Carveths and an entertaining segment featuring Oliver Reed on The Merv Griffin Show. Supplementary materials include a vintage radio spot and an essay by film critic Carrie Rickey.

Extras included in this disc:

• Birth Pains: A documentary with key crew discussing Cronenberg’s early films and The Brood.
• Radio Spot: Original radio spot for The Brood.
• Crimes of the Future (1970): Cronenberg's second feature, restored from a 4K scan.
• David Cronenberg – The Early Years: Interview with Cronenberg on his early career.
• Oliver Reed: Archival episode discussing acting and film financing.
• Meet The Carveths: Interviews with actors Art Hindle and Cindy Hinds on their experiences during filming.
• Leaflet: Illustrated essay by film critic Carrie Rickey.

David Cronenberg's The Brood (1979) impresses with its signature blend of horror and science fiction, addressing unsettling themes of abuse and psychological manipulation. The film centers on Dr. Hal Raglan (Oliver Reed), who pioneers a controversial technique called psychoplasmics—transmuting emotional trauma into physical manifestations. Samantha Eggar delivers a powerful performance as Nola Carveth, Raglan's pivotal patient, whose uncontrolled emotions wreak havoc. Art Hindle portrays her husband Frank, who embroils in a perilous struggle to protect their daughter amidst cascading horrors.

Cronenberg masterfully shifts the narrative from thriller to horror, creating an atmosphere thick with dread and intellectual provocation. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for character development and thematic depth while building tension toward the memorable and graphic climax. Contributions from cinematographer Mark Irwin and composer Howard Shore elevate the film's visual and auditory impact, making even its most minimalistic scenes imbued with intensity.

Ultimately, The Brood is anchored by strong performances and remarkable technical execution. Reed convincingly portrays the obsessed scientist, while Eggar’s nuanced portrayal of Nola brings both vulnerability and menace. However, Cindy Hinds' child character occasionally falls flat, detracting slightly from the overall effect. Despite limited resources, Cronenberg creates powerful visuals that remain impactful decades later. The film explores profound ideas about psychotherapy without becoming preachy, ensuring that viewers remain engaged and reflective long after the credits roll.

Criterion’s Blu-ray release of David Cronenberg’s The Brood is an exceptional restoration that reinvigorates the film’s chilling narrative. This release is sourced from a new 2K restoration, supervised by Cronenberg himself, achieving the finest high-definition presentation available to date. Despite some aspects of the film appearing a bit dated, the picture quality is impressive. The clarity and depth of the visuals breathe new life into the unsettling atmosphere, making it essential viewing for fans of intelligent horror.

Furthermore, Criterion has complemented this high-quality transfer with an array of commendable extras. These bonuses provide valuable insights and additional content for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Special mention should be made of the inclusion of Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future, allowing the audience a deeper understanding of his filmography and creative evolution. Although some might find the artwork reveals too much, it does not detract significantly from the overall package's quality.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release stands out as a definitive edition for The Brood, combining a superior visual presentation with thoughtful supplementary materials. For those looking to explore or revisit this genre classic, Criterion’s efforts make this an indispensable addition to any collection. Highly recommended.