The Changeling (1980) gets Limited Edition 4K UHD /Blu-ray Box Set and Standard Edition Releases Review
Following the tragic death of his wife and daughter in a car crash, composer John Russell (George C. Scott) leaves the city and retires to an old mansion in the hope of rebuilding his life. The peace and quiet he craves is soon disturbed, however. Unexplained noises are just the beginning. Convinced there is a supernatural presence in the house he enlists the help of a local historian. What they uncover is more shocking than he could have ever imagined.
‘A child’s ball bouncing down a flight of stairs was enough to scare the daylights out of me’ proclaimed author Stephen King, a man who just happens to know a thing or two about conjuring up a good horror yarn. Mr King wasn’t the only known name to sing the praises of director Peter Medak’s classic ghost story The Changeling. The film is also cited as a huge influence by renowned filmmakers including Martin Scorsese and Alejandro Amenabar (who directed the terrific The Others) and lauded by horror aficionados and audiences alike.
Upon reviewing The Changeling, I was under the impression that I had already seen it, given its classic status and my thirst for all things horror film related. It came as a pleasant surprise to discover that I had not feasted my eyes upon the slow-burn, creepy delights that this Canadian chiller offers, and I am pleased to say that it still stands head and shoulders above many big-screen ghost stories that have followed. It’s by no means perfect – I will come to the film’s shortcomings later in the review – but for the most part this is edge-of-the-seat stuff that unnerves and lingers long in the memory after viewing.
The Changeling is inspired by true events that occurred at the Henry Treat Rogers mansion in Cheesman Park, Denver, Colorado. Playwright Russell Hunter lived at the location the 1960s and was beset by occurrences like those that Scott’s character experiences in the film, including the discovery of a hidden room, a century-old journal and holding a séance to discover more about the boy’s identity. If the film wasn’t spooky enough, then discovering this fact amongst this Blu-Ray release’s plentiful extras certainly adds that additional ‘yikes’ to your evening’s viewing.
Director Peter Medak stepped in after both Donald Cammell and Tony Richardson left the project over ‘creative differences’. With the assistance of a gentle and effective film score, courtesy of Rick Wilkins, and excellent cinematography from John Coquillon, which nails and heightens the film’s abundant scares, Medak has fashioned an old-school haunted house flick that delivers the goods. So impressed was the newly formed Genie Awards that The Changeling won the first ever Genie Award for Best Canadian Film. It also won the following Genie Awards: Best Foreign Actor – George C. Scott; Best Foreign Actress – Trish Van Devere, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Design, Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Best Sound Editing.
There are niggles, for example Scott’s character never really seems that phased by the supernatural happenings at his new abode, in fact he behaves and acts exactly the opposite of how you would expect someone to act. There’s also the issue in that if the spirit can reach out beyond the house and put an end to a pesky cop then why did he not do so earlier? However, there are enough genuinely unnerving moments that crawl under the skin that make up for the film’s shortcomings. As haunted house flicks go The Changeling is arguably one of the best and it still packs a spooky punch now.
One of the most chilling horrors of all time is set for an auspicious collector’s Box set release and will also be on 4K/UHD Standard Edition and Blu-ray Standard Edition. The film is presented in a 4K scan and restoration presented in HDR and all three editions come stacked with special features including an audio commentary with the director Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels, interviews and much more. They will be available on 5 June 2023 or to pre-order now.
The Limited Edition is presented in a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy and comes with a 108-page book with brand new essays plus an archive interview with Peter Medak, it also includes the original soundtrack CD, please see full details below.
Special Features
• New 4K scan and restoration presented in HDR
• Audio commentary with director Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels
• Interview with Peter Medak by filmmaker Adrián García Bogliano at Mórbido Fest 2018
• Exile on Curzon St. ¬– Peter Medak on his early years in swinging London
• The House on Cheesman Park – The Haunting True Story of The Changeling
• Audio commentary with actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger and Paul A. Partain, and art director Robert A. Burns
• The Music of The Changeling – an interview with music arranger Kenneth Wannberg
• Building the House Of Horror – an interview with art director Reuben Freed
• The Psychotronic Tourist
• Master of horror Mick Garris on The Changeling
Limited Edition Contents
• Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy
• 108-page book with new essays by Martyn Conterio, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Rich Johnson, Mikel J Koven, Meagan Navarro, Rachel Reeves, Shelagh Rowan-Legg and Heather Wixson plus archive interview with Peter Medak
• Original Soundtrack CD
• Five collectors’ art cards