Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		2.5

Cutting Class 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman January 31, 2024

A lot of film fans probably think of Thelma & Louise when considering Brad Pitt's early cinematic appearances, but by the time he essayed his memorable role in that movie, he had actually already racked up a handful of arguably less "starry" work. Starting in 1987, Pitt had a number of bit parts, all uncredited, in a number of lesser remembered films like Hunk, and a couple of higher profile outings like No Way Out and Less Than Zero, but beginning in 1988, Pitt actually got his name up there on the big screen, albeit once again in arguably lackluster fare like The Dark Side of the Sun (filmed in 1988, but not even released until 1997, which may be one indicator of its quality) and Happy Together . The Dark Side of the Sun is sometimes listed as Pitt's "first" starring role, but considering its actual release date, it might be arguable that Cutting Class deserves that appellation at least as much. Pitt is on hand in this high school slasher as all American Dwight Ingalls, who just might (but let's face it, probably isn't) a marauding murderer offing students and faculty at the film's focal school. Kind of hilariously, and vis a vis another potential suspect, while hindsight might give Brad Pitt the marquee value edge, at the time of the film's production, the "stunt casting" award may have gone to Donovan Leitch (Jr.) as another high school male, Brian Woods.

Cutting Class had a previous 1080 release on Vinegar Syndrome, and in fact this release ports over some of that release's bonus content. For those wanting a plot summary, Brian Orndorf's Cutting Class Blu-ray review provides an apt summary. Brian's review also allows those interested to compare screenshots and see how supplements stack up between the releases.

Cutting Class 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from MVD's 1080 disc, included in this package.

Cutting Class is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of the MVD Rewind Collection, an imprint of MVD Visual, with an HVEC / H. 265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. The back cover states that both MVD's 4K UHD and 1080 presentations were culled from a 2018 4K restoration from the 35mm original camera negative, which I'm assuming was a master prepared for the original Vinegar Syndrome release. There are some noticeable differences from that version, at least based on some cursory screenshot comparisons, some of which I mention in the Cutting Class Blu-ray review of MVD's 1080 release, but which are arguably even more noticeable in this version given the blandishments of HDR. The vividness of the palette in its best moments is at least marginally improved in this version, as are some fine detail levels on things like fabric textures, but those positives are arguably offset by the much grittier, even dirtier, looking grain in some of the most roughhewn moments. As with the 1080 version, the first four and a half minutes are so are especially rough looking (even after the optically printed credits have ended), and some of the darker moments in the last third of the film in particular also have a much thicker looking grain field, which is often speckled looking and tinged with yellow or blue. When grain resolves tightly, which it tends to do in some of the more brightly lit outdoor moments in particular, there's a more organic overall appearance that isn't quite as mottled looking.

Note: Someone had set the Dolby Vision spec on this release, but neither of my players offered that and the back cover doesn't have any branding in that regard.

Cutting Class 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Cutting Class offers an energetic LPCM 2.0 Mono track that capably supports the now probably quaint sounding source cues and a few passing sound effects, notably in some of the outdoor material featuring Martin Mull. The score's focus on midrange and low end synth material is unavoidably narrow but still quite full bodied. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Kind of interestingly, a Dolby Digital 2.0 (stereo) option is available as well, though any perceived opening up may be debilitated by the lossy presentation. Optional English subtitles are available.

Cutting Class 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K UHD Disc

• Trailer (HD; 2:35)

1080 Disc

• R Rated Cut (SD; 1:30:52) offers a few more graphic moments (also outlined in the side by side comparison, below).


• Un-Cutting Class (HD; 20:26) is an interview with Jill Schoelen. See Brian's Cutting Class Blu-ray review for more information.


• Donovan Makes the Cut (HD; 16:25) is an interview with Donovan Leitch. See Brian's Cutting Class Blu-ray review for more information.


• Find the Killer VHS Contest (SD; 4:11) is a kind of hilarious marketing ploy by Republic Pictures Home Video. This has pretty shoddy video and (especially) audio quality.


• Kill Comparisons (HD; 3:53) offers side by side looks at murder sequences in the unrated and R rated versions.


• Trailers includes Cutting Class (HD; 2:35)

Additionally, a double sided fold out poster is included and packaging features a slipcover.

Cutting Class 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cutting Class ostensibly plays things for supposedly dark, blackly comic laughs, but the problem is, it just isn't that funny, and there's also virtually no suspense since the film isn't especially subtle about revealing the culprit, even given some fitful attempts at offering some (bright) red herrings. It's fun to see Pitt in such an early role, and Leitch is kind of gonzo fun as an unhinged type. There's a somewhat smarmy subtext courtesy of Roddy McDowall's lecherous principal, and the Martin Mull subplot seems like it wandered in from a nearby bus and truck version of The Great Outdoors. Technical merits are solid and the supplements very enjoyable (though it may be a little disappointing for some that neither of the audio interviews available on Vinegar Syndrome's release have made it to this one), for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.