Plot: What’s it about?
Cameron (Steve Railsback) is a Vietnam veteran, but this ex-soldier is in trouble now and is on the run from the authorities. He needs to lay low for a while and as soon he gets the chance, that’s just what he plans to do. When arrives on a tropical beach resort, Cameron ends up on a movie set and this is when he meets Eli Cross (Peter O’Toole). Cross is a film director and while he seems to have a hand to lend, his persona is not a good one, to say the least. Cameron is offered the job as the film’s new stunt man, since the last one was killed in accident and Cross needs to keep the production on schedule. As he needs the cover this position affords, Cameron accepts and soon finds himself risking life & limb, in some dangerous stunt sequences. He is not pleased with how often he brushes with serious injury, but he has to remain unseen and in addition to that, he has fallen in love with the film’s star, Nina Franklin (Barbara Hershey). While he has been able to evade both capture and serious injuries to this point, will the megalomaniacal Cross ever be satisfied with the stunts, so long as Cameron is able to walk away intact?
The story behind Richard Rush’s The Stunt Man is a famous one, but the film itself on the other hand, has not been as fortunate. The film was a critical success when it debuted, but it passed from the minds of audiences in a heartbeat, rarely to be seen again. It has become a cult classic over time and earned a new life on home video, but it never gained much mainstream success. That’s easy to understand however, as it is a complex, unique picture and one that not everyone is locked in to love. I’ve seen it countless times and certain parts still remain mysterious, although the scheme gets clearer each time. This is such a rich, one of a kind movie that even if I didn’t like it, I’d have to respect the craftsmanship involved. In a most welcome gesture, Anchor Bay has allowed director Richard Rush to compile this excellent home video release, complete with an extensive documentary about the production. This review covers the Limited Edition version of The Stunt Man, which contains both the feature disc and the documentary disc, which is limited to only 100,000 copies. You can also purchase the discs as separate releases, but if you’re a fan of The Stunt Man, you might as well own both in one collectible release.
Sometimes a filmmaker can pull a rabbit out of their hat and make a most unique picture, one that defines them and such is the case with Richard Rush. As this was such a personal project for Rush, you can tell he put all his power behind it and it paid off, at least to an extent, as the film is a cult classic and has an established fanbase. After the close of production on this film at long last, Rush had to sit through a three year wait while the film was shelved, during which time he suffered a heart attack. Once the wait was over and the film was released, it gained some critical praise and got a few Oscar nominations, but then sank from the public eye and remained a cult level film since, without a doubt. Rush had not made a film like this before and he wouldn’t come close again, as if The Stunt Man were fated to be his signature picture. Other films directed by Rush include The Savage Seven, Hells Angels on Wheels, and Color of Night. The cast here includes Peter O’Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, Supergirl), Steve Railsback (Disturbing Behavior, Lifeforce), and Barbara Hershey (Falling Down, The Natural).
Video: How does it look?
The Stunt Man is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. As this is a late 70s cult film, I had tempered expectations and while I was right to an extent, the image here is still more than solid. Yes, some grain is evident at almost all times, but aside from that the print looks clean and no serious problems arise. The grain does mute colors somewhat, but I found black levels to be well balanced, which was good news, of course. I suppose if you expect a pristine transfer here, you’ll be let down, but if you’ve seen the film before and know what you’re talking about, you’ll know this is a flawed, but more than acceptable visual presentation.
Audio: How does it sound?
This release contains both Dolby Digital EX & DTS ES audio options, which was a surprise, but a most welcome one, of course. Even with these two high end tracks however, some problems surface and I was not too pleased. I found that on both soundtracks, the sound effects and music were in fine form, but they sometimes overpowered the dialogue. A few quick adjustments made it less of a problem, but this should have never been needed, as I don’t often have to alter my system due to a film’s audio track. The scope of the audio is more broad than I had figured on though, as the speakers all come to life with sound at times, especially when the score kicks in or in a few impact driven sequences. So once you can re-balance the dialogue in the center channel, you’re in for a more than solid experience. This release also includes a 2.0 surround option, which sounds pretty good and more than holds its own, thanks to fewer dialogue issues.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This two disc set is packed to the brim with extras, most of which are found on the first disc, which also houses the film itself. The main bonus here on Disc One is an audio commentary track with director Richard Rush, as well as Peter O’Toole, Steve Railsback, Barbara Hershey, and several other cast members. I was most taken with Rush’s comments, as he goes into detail about what he wanted to accomplish with the movie, as well as some notes on his struggles to make it happen. O’Toole also provides some insight at times, while the other stars chime in often and at a more regular pace toward the close of the session. A special introduction from Rush is also included and the chapter list card “urges” you to view it before the film, but I’d say lose that advice. I think you need to watch the film for the first time on your own, then listen to the introduction and soak in Rush’s comments, so you can form your own opinion from the start. This first disc also includes a couple of deleted scenes, some DVD ROM content, a selection of still photos & promotional materials, and three theatrical trailers, which adds up to some solid extras, I think.
The second disc hosts just a single supplement, but it is a real gem and offers an in depth look inside The Stunt Man. I’m speaking of The Sinister Saga of Making The Stunt Man of course, a brand new retrospective documentary created especially for this DVD release. This piece runs well over one hundred minutes and is not your normal fluff featurette, though the interviewees do often seem a little too proud of themselves. Even so, the interviews are informative and insightful, revealing some of Rush’s vision of the film and how he battled to get it produced. Rush himself serves as narrator and also directed the documentary, so this is inside look in all respects and that shows, as it is more personal than most featurettes. I enjoyed The Sinister Saga of Making The Stunt Man and while it is a little heavy on the back patting at times, it is a treasure trove for fans of the film and I am thrilled it was created & included here.
