The Hitcher – 4K UHD / BLU-RAY

As a seasoned film critic who’s had more popcorn than I care to remember and spent countless nights huddled under my blanket, engrossed in the flickering glow of celluloid dreams, let me tell you about my latest cinematic adventure: “The Hitcher“.

As a cinephile, let me share my take on the fascinating story behind one of my favorite films, “The Hitcher.” You see, the talented writer Eric Red was still struggling to make it big in Hollywood, five years after penning ‘Gunmen’s Blues.’ To pay off his debts, he took a job as a cab driver, which wasn’t ideal for a writer. But while on duty, listening to the radio, he heard The Doors’ ‘Riders on the Storm,’ sung by the captivating Jim Morrison, a man known for his snake-hipped, drug-addled charm. This song sparked an idea in Eric’s mind that would eventually become the script for “The Hitcher.

In this rephrased version, here’s how the passage could read:

Regardless of its limited financial resources, this production featured some impressive set pieces such as trucks racing through gas stations, helicopter crashes, and unforgettable scenes that would make you flinch – like the diner scene involving French fries. A particularly memorable moment was Leigh being tethered to the back of a truck in a nerve-wracking showdown between Howell and Hauer. The movie didn’t garner enormous box office success, but it soon gained cult status, especially on the home video market. For Hauer, it became a defining role alongside his iconic roles in Blade Runner and his eccentric Guinness commercials later in his career.

This classic film, “The Hitcher,” has been newly released in a pristine 4K restored edition, personally overseen by its director, Harmon. This latest offering comes from Second Sight, a company renowned for their exceptional care and meticulous attention to detail in their releases, outshining many other companies’ efforts. Among the special features of this release are:

Dual format edition including both UHD and Blu-ray with main feature and bonus features on both discs
UHD presented in HDR with Dolby Vision
Features Dolby Atmos and original stereo audio mixes
New audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Audio commentary with Robert Harmon and Writer Eric Red
Scene specific audio commentary with Robert Harmon, Eric Red, Executive Producer Edward S Feldman, Composer Mark Isham, Director of Photography John Seale and Actors Rutger Hauer and C Thomas Howell
The Projection Booth Podcast: featuring
Robert Harmon and Rutger Hauer
Bullseye: a new interview with Robert Harmon (41 Minutes)
Penning the Ripper: a new interview with Eric Red (41 Minutes)
Doomed to Live: a new interview with C Thomas Howell (28 Minutes)
The Man from Oz: a new interview with John Seale (10 Minutes)
A Very Formative Score: a new interview with Mark Isham (15 Minutes)
Duel Runner: Leigh Singer on the evolution of The Hitcher and Rutger Hauer (20 Minutes)
China Lake: a short film by Robert Harmon newly restored (35 Minutes)
The Calling Card: Robert Harmon on China Lake (15 Minutes)
Telephone: a short film by Eric Red (26 Minutes)
The Hitcher: How do these movies get made? (38 Minutes)
Trailers (5 Minutes)

Limited Edition Contents

Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Adam Stothard
200-page hardback book with exclusive Robert Harmon interview by Lou Thomas, exclusive Eric Red interview by Matthew Thrift, new essays by Heather Drain, David Kittredge, Craig Ian Mann, Rebecca McCallum, Meagan Navarro and Jon Towlson, archival Fangoria article and Behind the Scenes photo gallery
Eric Red’s original screenplay book
6 collectors’ art cards

This production combines both novel and classic elements, and the Harmon & Red commentary stands out as exceptional, showcasing Harmon’s aptitude for directing The Hitcher, as demonstrated in his short film. Unfortunately, Rutger Hauer passed away in 2019, so all of his segments are archived. However, a contemporary interview with C Thomas Howell is included, who bears little resemblance to his earlier self and expresses great enthusiasm for what he considers one of the best films among his over 200-film career. He shares various anecdotes, some more compelling than others, such as when he speaks about how the sun emerged from behind a cloud at just the right moment, illuminating his face during a crucial revelation for his character. He also commends the director and cinematographer without interrupting with ‘Cut!’ when the serendipitous event occurred. While relevant, this story could be perceived as somewhat whimsical or characteristic of Los Angeles actors.

Once again, Second Sight delivers excellently with their newest release, demonstrating the level of care and quality we’ve grown accustomed to from a top-tier label known for its exceptional work in retro music.

Here’s The Hitcher trailer.,….

2024-09-28 02:23

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