Body Double 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
SteelBook 40th Anniversary
Score: 86
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
Body Double's 4K UHD Blu-ray restoration is a visual and audio marvel, combining a stunning 4K presentation and a new Dolby Atmos track, despite some missing special features.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
DTS-HD MA
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 95
Body Double's 4K UHD Blu-ray features exceptional clarity and color balance, utilizing Dolby Vision and HDR10, with a sharp, organic presentation of its 1.85:1 frame. The impressive transfer highlights vibrant 80s hues and deep blacks while preserving natural film grain, delivering significant improvements over previous releases.
Audio: 89
The Dolby Atmos mix on the 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'Body Double' offers remarkable clarity and imaging, with standout dynamics, effective channel separation, and enhanced musical scores. While overhead audio usage is subtle, it significantly elevates the tension and immersive experience.
Extra: 69
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'Body Double' features newly unearthed EPK interviews and a recreated 'Relax' music video, alongside legacy content such as four insightful featurettes—'The Seduction,' 'The Setup,' 'The Mystery,' and 'The Controversy'—and a still gallery, while the UHD disc offers the movie-only.
Movie: 73
Brian De Palma's 'Body Double' on 4K UHD Blu Ray captivates with lush visuals and sound, delivering a stunning 4K remaster with vibrant colors, organic grain, and a sharp, artifact-free image. Combining Hitchcock homage with 80s excess, this polarizing erotic thriller is both surreal and meticulously crafted, offering a vividly stylized portrayal of deception and fantasy replete with suspenseful twists and noteworthy supplemental features.
Video: 95
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Body Double" is a visual marvel, delivering an exceptional transfer that showcases the film's sumptuous 1980s aesthetic with remarkable clarity and precision. Sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, the presentation is available in both Dolby Vision and HDR10, enhancing the vibrant, era-specific color palette. The film benefits from meticulously rendered black levels, exhibiting no signs of crush or artifacts, even in the most shadowed scenes. The overall detail is sharp and fully realized, ensuring that every frame looks authentic and immersive. Grain is present but appears organic, adding to the film’s richly textured look without being obtrusive.
The visual restoration's prowess is further highlighted in comparative analysis between the 1080p and native 4K presentations. While both offer impressive clarity and depth, the 4K transfer, particularly with Dolby Vision enabled, demonstrates significant improvements in shadow detail and overall color vibrancy. The film has never looked better; daytime scenes reveal minor yet noticeable enhancements, while darker sequences display a richer interaction of shadows and vibrant colors. Skin tones appear natural throughout, and close-ups reveal intricate detail in facial features, hair, and clothing.
The included Blu-ray disc, sourced from the same 4K master, maintains an admirable level of quality, particularly noticeable on larger screens. Colors remain balanced with lifelike flesh tones and well-delineated secondary hues. The visual fidelity extends consistently across both formats, supporting Sony’s reputation for impressive catalog transfers. This release stands as a definitive visual presentation of Brian De Palma’s "Body Double," ensuring a pristine viewing experience that vividly brings the director's vision to life on modern displays.
Audio: 89
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Body Double" delivers an impressive audio presentation, featuring multiple tracks including English Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 among others. This release showcases a clear enhancement from its original matrixed Dolby Stereo surround track, now upgraded to Dolby Atmos. Noteworthy is how the new mix leverages additional speakers and Low-Frequency Extension (LFE) to bring Pino Donaggio’s romantic score to life, offering a dynamic audio experience that elevates the film's tension and atmosphere significantly.
The Dolby Atmos track, while not overly reliant on overhead object placement, uses height channels efficiently, mainly for music score enhancement and ambient effects like crickets in critical scenes. Dialogue is consistently clear and tonally distinctive, blending seamlessly across the front channels. The surround sound presentation excels in creating immersive environments, capturing both indoor and outdoor ambiances with precision, enhancing the overall engrossing experience of the film.
Overall, this release maintains a front-oriented perspective but enhances channel separation to reproduce sound effects and orchestrated elements with sparkling clarity. Whether experiencing the expanded audio field in dynamic sequences or appreciating the nuanced background sounds, the Dolby Atmos mix adds substantial depth to "Body Double’s" brilliant soundtrack, making it a superb choice for both audiophiles and casual viewers alike.
Extras: 69
The Extras section of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "Body Double" offers an engaging array of archival content and featurettes that will delight fans and cinephiles alike. The package includes a combination of newly added and legacy features, providing deep insights into the film's production, style, and enduring cult status. Key highlights include EPK interviews with key figures like Brian De Palma, Craig Wasson, and Melanie Griffith. The legacy featurettes explore various aspects of the film such as its controversial reception, its Hitchcockian influences, and specific production techniques. Additionally, the inclusion of a music video by Frankie Goes to Hollywood offers an intriguing tie-in to the film. Overall, the extras provide a rich, immersive look behind the scenes of this classic thriller.
Extras included in this disc:
- Archival EPK Interviews: Interviews with Brian De Palma, Craig Wasson, and Melanie Griffith.
- Frankie Goes to Hollywood Relax Music Video: BODY DOUBLE version.
- The Seduction: Pre-production processes and popular myths.
- The Setup: Shooting sequences and Hitchcockian overtones.
- The Mystery: Adult footage and music used in the film.
- The Controversy: Harsh reactions and cult classic status.
- Still Gallery: Archival promotional and production stills.
- Theatrical Trailer: Remastered vintage trailer.
- Digital Code: Redeemable for a 4K digital copy.
Movie: 73
Brian De Palma's Body Double (1984) emerges as a quintessential 80s thriller, brimming with stylistic lavishness and directorial audacity. The film follows out-of-luck actor Jake Scully (Craig Wasson), who is thrust into a whirlwind of voyeurism, murder, and deception after taking a housesitting job in a swanky LA apartment. A key element of the story revolves around Jake's intense surveillance of his alluring neighbor, Gloria Revelle (Deborah Shelton), which spirals into an obsessive quest when he witnesses her being stalked and subsequently murdered. The narrative weaves through a labyrinth of false leads and uncanny occurrences, leading Jake to Holly Body (Melanie Griffith), an adult film star who becomes central to unraveling the mystery.
De Palma's crafting of this erotic thriller serves as a remarkable homage to Alfred Hitchcock, drawing parallels to Rear Window and Vertigo. The film is imbued with De Palma’s characteristic flourishes—elaborate camera movements, dreamy sequences, and a palpable atmosphere laced with tension and eroticism. Key scenes are punctuated by Pino Donaggio's evocative score, which elevates the sensual and suspenseful narrative interplay. Griffith's portrayal of Holly Body is transformative, earning her a Golden Globe nomination and cementing her role in 80s Hollywood.
Body Double stands out not just for its plot but for its rich stylistic execution. The 4K UHD transfer enhances De Palma’s lavish visual style, rendering milky backdrops, vibrant colors, and organic grain with pristine clarity. This meticulous restoration brings to life the 1980s aesthetic with warm hues and sharp detail, underscoring the film's duality of mainstream glamour and seedy underbelly. Despite its polarizing reception, the film reaffirms De Palma's unique directorial voice and remains a compelling exploration of paranoia, voyeurism, and twisted fantasies within the high-stakes world of Hollywood.
Total: 86
Brian De Palma's 1984 thriller "Body Double" gets a stellar 4K UHD Blu-ray treatment that will undoubtedly please fans and cinephiles alike. This new release features a pristine 2160p native 4K resolution with a HEVC encode, preserving the film's original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The image quality showcases astonishing clarity and vibrant colors, bringing the intricate cinematography to life. The Dolby Atmos audio track, alongside English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and other language options, ensures an immersive auditory experience that enhances the overall impact of the film.
The release also includes a steelbook edition adorned with original poster art and inserts featuring Melanie Griffith, making it a specialty item for collectors. However, it’s worth noting that not all special features from previous editions are included, likely due to licensing issues. Despite this minor shortcoming, the overall package is compelling, boasting an excellent set of extras that delve into the making of the film and its context within the 1980s thriller genre.
"Body Double" remains as polarizing as ever. While its blend of thriller, mystery, erotica, and satire borders on camp for some, it also showcases De Palma's innovative direction and voyeuristic themes, pushing boundaries in cinematic storytelling. Its cult following is well-documented, and this release underscores why fans remain fiercely loyal. Newcomers might find its B-level charm off-putting, yet for those intrigued by De Palma’s stylistic fodder or collectors seeking high-quality releases, this is a noteworthy addition.
In conclusion, I’m honestly torn on whether "Body Double" is one of Brian De Palma's most subversive works or simply a vanity project that is what it appears on the surface. The debate has been ongoing for roughly 40 years without definite resolution. As an '80s thriller, it's remarkably engaging; as a part of De Palma's oeuvre, it stands as an odd yet fascinating piece. This new 4K UHD edition is most definitely the way to go for die-hard fans. For others, particularly those new to '80s erotic thrillers, renting first might be prudent. Nonetheless, it's an interesting watch and a commendable release. Highly recommended.
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 100
Colors are very much the 1980s variety, with warm honey and browns as the primary shades, with a burnished set of reds and blues and greens thrown in to counter balance the dusky look....
Audio: 90
Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Relax" Music Video (BODY DOUBLE Version) • 4 Featurettes: • The Seduction • The Setup • The Mystery • The Controversy • Still Gallery • Theatrical Trailer...
Extras: 60
• NEWLY ADDED: Archival EPK Interviews with Brian De Palma, Craig Wasson and Melanie Griffith • NEWLY ADDED: Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Relax" Music Video (BODY DOUBLE Version)
Movie: 60
Jake having trouble with his vampire role sparks the entire jaunt down bizarro lane, and if you look closely there’s a LOT of clues that all of this story about the woman next door and the murder is simply...
Total: 70
I love parts of the film, but also can’t help but notice how over the top hammy and B-level the entire thing is outside of the cinematography (which is unbelievable, and reminds me of Fritz Lang at times)....
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 100
Please note that some of the screencaptures induced with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and downscaled to 1080p....
Audio: 100
The Blu-ray disc has the following audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, Italian Dolby Surround...
Extras: 90
The Mystery - in this archival featurette, Brian De Palma and cast members discuss the adult footage that was created for Body Double, including the sequence with Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and the use...
Movie: 80
The more time passes, the clearer it becomes that the people that used to routinely dismiss Brian De Palma's work because he apparently kept ripping off Alfred Hitchcock simply could not, or did not want...
Total: 100
However, while I am grateful that the original music video for Frankie Goes to Hollywood's monster hit "Relax" finally can be seen with the film, I wish it was fully remastered and remixed so that it also...
Home Theater Forum review by Todd ErwinRead review here
Video: 100
This is a terrific looking transfer, with organic film grain that is never obtrusive, colors that often pop (particularly in the Frankie Goes to Hollywood Relax music video shoot sequence), and excellent...
Audio: 90
Originally released theatrically with a matrixed Dolby Stereo surround optical track, a new 5.1 mix was created for the film’s DVD release, and now for its UHD release, Sony has upgraded that 5.1 to Dolby...
Extras: 60
Featurettes (upscaled 1080i; 51:57): Ported from the special edition DVD release from several years ago, Laurent Bouzereau’s four part documentary can be viewed as one piece or in its individual segments:...
Movie: 80
But strange things begin to happen – a man enters the house one evening and argues before striking her and storming out, and a large Native American man has been hanging around outside the house and on...
Total: 80
...
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 86
The level of visible detail in facial features, hair and clothing during close-ups is noteworthy....
Audio: 84
More isn’t always better and, this film’s elements don’t contain an overabundance of detail that would allow for a busier object-based mix, especially with respect to the overhead channels....
Extras: 80
Frankie Goes to Hollywood "Relax" Music Video (BODY DOUBLE Version) 4 Featurettes: The Seduction The Setup...
Movie: 60
Soon a grisly murder leads him into the world of X-rated film where he meets adult film star Holly Body (Melanie Griffith), who is a key to the crime....
Total: 78
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 100
Colors in the film are of the decidedly 80’s variety, but they are warm and supple a lot of the time....
Audio: 90
The film gets some added heft from more speakers and the music score also benefits big time from the new mix!Height: Music is the main attraction in the height channels....
Extras: 60
If you own the UK Imprint edition you may want to hang onto it for the features missing from that release along with the booklet that came with the first pressing....
Movie: 90
From the ornate and dialogue free scenes of Jake following Gloria or the voyeurism that is at the very heart of the film, it’s as if Brian DePalma made it a point to put all the Hitchcockian goodness he...
Total: 90
The new steelbook with the original poster art, a great portrait of Melanie as Holly and another insert shot of Griffith make this one that collectors will savor if they love original poster art....
Director: Brian De Palma
Actors: Craig Wasson, Melanie Griffith, Gregg Henry
PlotJake Scully, a struggling actor with a recent bout of claustrophobia, finds himself house-sitting for a wealthy acquaintance in a luxurious home in the hills. While there, he becomes entranced by a beautiful woman named Gloria, whom he watches through a telescope every night as she performs a seductive dance. His innocent voyeurism turns into something darker when he witnesses what he believes is her brutal murder. Disturbingly obsessed, Jake decides to investigate the incident on his own, delving into Gloria’s life and the people around her in an attempt to uncover the truth.
Jake's investigation leads him into the seedy world of adult filmmaking, where he encounters Holly Body, an actress who bears a striking resemblance to Gloria. Through Holly, Jake discovers shocking connections and deceitful plans that twist his reality and plunge him deeper into danger. Unraveling layers of deception and betrayal, Jake must confront his deepest fears and navigate a web of intrigue in order to redeem himself and bring the true culprits to justice. As he ventures further down this perilous path, he learns startling truths that blur the lines between reality and illusion.
Writers: Robert J. Avrech, Brian De Palma
Release Date: 26 Oct 1984
Runtime: 114 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English