Eraserhead Blu-ray Review

David Lynch's cult classic "Eraserhead" has been given a meticulous 1080p transfer on Blu-ray by Criterion, presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC. This release stands out for its commendable restoration, supervised by Lynch himself, utilizing a 4K scan from the original camera negative. A painstaking effort was made to eliminate defects such as dirt, debris, scratches, and flicker using advanced restoration techniques. The result is an image that boasts superior shadow definition, grain distribution, and overall image stability compared to previous releases. This Blu-ray edition enhances the film's enigmatic visuals and atmospheric depth, ensuring a faithful yet distinctly improved viewing experience.

Criterion's dedication to restoration extends beyond the visual, as noted in the Blu-ray's accompanying booklet. The stereo soundtrack, re-created from the original monaural mix stems, underwent additional digital restoration to preserve Lynch's auditory vision. Comparatively, the transfer slightly darkens the image, enhancing shadow detail while maintaining a fine balance with the film's inherently high contrast and grainy aesthetic. This approach mitigates some photographic flaws and presents a more natural and controlled grain structure. Criterion has also addressed minor discrepancies in scene transitions and corrected a notable missing element in a key scene, with updated copies marked as "Second Printing."

While certainly not striving for polished brilliance—given the film's original production conditions—the transfer reveals an impressive level of detail, including textures such as skin pores and fabric nuances, without succumbing to artificial enhancement techniques like sharpening. This meticulous effort to preserve the film’s gritty texture and idiosyncratic details ensures Criterion’s release potentially stands as the definitive video presentation for "Eraserhead," affirming their commitment to honoring Lynch’s distinctive vision. Despite the darker tone possibly challenging some viewing setups, it ultimately contributes to a more authentic reproduction of Lynch's intended experience.

This Blu-ray release of "Eraserhead" presents the film's audio in an English LPCM 2.0 track, which showcases a meticulous level of digital remastering and restoration. The Criterion Collection has included this stereo mix, stemming from the original 1976 monaural mix, which was enhanced further by David Lynch and Alan Splet for the 1994 theatrical re-release, and again refined for DVD in 2003 to extend its dynamic range and reduce analog tape hiss. These efforts culminate in a 2014 restoration using Pro Tools HD to eliminate unintended noises, ensuring the integrity of the original sound design. Despite these numerous revisions, the essence of the soundtrack's uniquely unsettling atmosphere remains intact, backed by Criterion’s claim of additional digital clean-up.

Described as an aural experiment, the soundtrack features an array of industrial sounds, unsettling ambient noises, and razor-sharp screams that foster an immersive, if not somewhat unnerving, soundscape. The attention to detail is clear, with specific mentions of the soundscape’s texture varying from location to location, encouraging a louder playback volume to fully appreciate these nuances. The dialogue maintains clarity and stability throughout, devoid of audio imperfections such as pops, crackles, or digital distortion. The PCM 2.0 format proves effective in delivering these elements with crisp precision.

Despite the overall high fidelity of the track, there are candid admissions regarding its limitations in dynamics and occasional strains in dialogue fidelity. However, these moments do not significantly detract from the overall audio experience. The careful balance achieved between preserving the original sound mix's character and enhancing its quality for current home theater technologies exemplifies the dedication and meticulous approach taken in this Blu-ray release's audio presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Eraserhead" offer a profound deep dive into David Lynch's creative process, featuring a mix of archival material and new interviews that shed light on the film's enigmatic production. Starting with the 1977 trailer and spanning decades of content, including pivotal interviews from 1979 with Lynch and cinematographer Frederick Elmes, to the in-depth 2001 documentary "Eraserhead Stories", these extras meticulously chart the film's journey from conception to cult classic. Notable are the high-definition remastered short films, which provide a unique glimpse into Lynch's early artistic endeavors, complemented by his own introductions. The inclusion of a TV calibration guide underscores Lynch’s concern for how his work is experienced, ensuring viewers enjoy the film as intended. This collection is an indispensable resource for fans and scholars alike, offering unparalleled insights without delving into the symbolism Lynch prefers viewers to interpret themselves.

Extras included in this disc:

1977 TRAILER/PROMO PIECE: Industrial sounds only.

1979 ARCHIVAL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID LYNCH AND FREDERICK ELMES: Shot by filmmaker Tom Christie for his UCLA class.

1982 ARCHIVAL TRAILER: Produced for the Nuart Theatre screenings.

1988 EXCERPT FROM FRENCH TV PROGRAM: David Lynch and Jack Nance visit an iconic location from the film.

1997 ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: From "Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch".

2001 ERASERHEAD STORIES: Documentary on the making of "Eraserhead".

2014 NEW INTERVIEWS: With key figures involved in the film’s production.

TV CALIBRATION: Viewing instructions by David Lynch.

SHORT FILMS: New 2K restorations with introductions by Lynch.

• Six Men Getting Sick (1967)
• The Alphabet (1968)
• The Grandmother (1970)
• The Amputee (1974)
• Premonitions Following an Evil Deed (1995)

BOOKLET: Featuring an interview from "Lynch on Lynch".

David Lynch's seminal avant-garde feature, "Eraserhead" (1977), has been meticulously preserved and presented by the Criterion Collection, underscoring its enduring significance in cinematic history. This release, Criterion spine #752, is a testament to the film's stature, offering a treasure trove of extras including interviews with key collaborators and an illustrated booklet that delves into Lynch's creative process, providing aficionados and new viewers alike unprecedented insights into its making. Notably, this edition does not accommodate scene selection or chapter stops, a decision echoing Lynch's philosophy for an immersive viewing experience, compelling audiences to engage with the film in its intended continuity.

At its core, "Eraserhead" unfolds within a dystopian industrial wasteland, narrating the bleak existence of Henry Spencer (Jack Nance), as he grapples with fatherhood, isolation, and a surreal reality that melds dream and nightmare. Lynch's craftsmanship is palpable in every frame, from the meticulously constructed set pieces that articulate a haunting industrial ambiance to the unsettling soundscape that amplifies the film’s eerie quality. Its distinctive narrative structure, where fantasy and grim reality interweave, challenges conventional storytelling, inviting multiple interpretations while leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s psyche.

The movie's enigmatic allure is further enriched by Lynch’s refusal to elucidate its ambiguous symbolism, preferring instead to let its stark visuals and haunting motifs speak directly to the subconscious. "Eraserhead’s" influence extends beyond its immediate visual and thematic complexities, reverberating through Lynch's oeuvre and marking a pivotal point in his exploration of the human condition’s darker facets. This Blu-ray presentation not only celebrates "Eraserhead" as a groundbreaking piece of cinema but also as a catalyst for Lynch's illustrious career, offering a pristine window into the origins of his visionary filmmaking style.

David Lynch's groundbreaking debut, "Eraserhead," finally enters the Criterion Collection in a Blu-ray release that does justice to its surreal, unforgettable vision. This edition benefits from a pristine 4K digital restoration, ensuring that the film's haunting visuals and intricate sound design are more immersive than ever. Fans and newcomers alike will appreciate the unparalleled clarity and depth that high-definition brings to Lynch's unique cinematic landscape. Supplementing the main feature are six of Lynch's short films, restored in 2K, making this collection not just a testament to "Eraserhead"'s enduring legacy but also a deep dive into the director's early creative process.

The Criterion Blu-ray stands out not only for its technical excellence but also for encapsulating the raw, visceral experience of Lynch's first masterpiece. Viewers may find themselves drawn into its dreamlike narrative in unexpected ways; those with children may even see reflections of their own parenthood trials amid the film's surrealistic portrayal of family life. Every nuance of the movie's eerie soundtrack and stark, industrial aesthetic is heightened by the Blu-ray's superior video transfer and sound quality, providing an experience that is as close as one can get to a direct transmission from Lynch's vision to the audience's senses. In addition, the curated selection of supplements, including intriguing new interviews and behind-the-scenes looks, enriches the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the film.

In conclusion, the Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of "Eraserhead" constitutes a definitive home viewing experience for this seminal work. By coupling an exquisite 4K restoration with a thoughtful assembly of supplementary materials, it offers both a stunning visual and auditory experience and a comprehensive insight into David Lynch's early career. This edition is highly recommended for cinephiles and Lynch enthusiasts alike, promising not just a movie but an engrossing exploration into the themes and techniques that would define Lynch's oeuvre.