Day of the Animals Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Day of the Animals Blu-ray Movie Review

The downside of hairspray.

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 29, 2013

They certainly don’t make films like this anymore. 1977’s “Day of the Animals” was released during a time of “nature strikes back” horror pictures, looking to spook audiences with a plausible enemy born from the shadows of the great outdoors. It’s an interesting subgenre, and one that doesn’t find many takers these days due to strict animal handling issues, leaving a title like “Day of the Animals” doubly compelling as both an exploitation movie and a sneaky production that somehow masterminded brutal animal attacks on a limited budget, though perhaps it’s best to leave behind-the- scenes particulars alone (call it the “Milo and Otis” rule). Although undeniably silly and ridiculously broad at times, the feature remains a beguiling look at an environmental meltdown, using hot button scientific study of the time to inspire a violent chiller that pits man vs. beast or, during one scene, boy vs. shirtless Leslie Nielsen. Either way, “Day of the Animal” is a terrifically entertaining look at a unique type of doomsday.

Off on a scenic hiking tour of Northern California wilderness, a group of adventurous and irritable types put their faith in Steve (Christopher George) to guide them to the paradise of Sugar Meadows, with assistance provided by his Native American pal, Daniel (Michael Ansara). With arrogant advertising executive Paul (Leslie Nielsen), former football hero Roy (Paul Mantee), television reporter Terry (Linda Day George), mother Shirley (Ruth Roman) and son John (Bobby Porter), and bickering couple Frank (Jon Cedar) and Mandy (Susan Backlinie) part of the group, Steve has his hands full keeping the gang engaged during the hike, struggling with their concerns and childish antics along the way. Out in the middle of nowhere, the area is hit with a unique warning of ozone depletion, with local communities evacuated as word of an animal uprising spreads. While Sheriff Bert (Michael Andreas) panics trying to protect his town, Steve and the tourists face horrific attacks from coyotes, birds, and mountain lions, struggling for survival as Paul attempts to divide loyalties, making Steve’s job impossible.

“Day of the Animals” opens with a scroll explaining the science behind the premise, sharing information concerning a 1974 report that warned the world of the dangers of fluorocarbon gases and the depletion of the ozone layer. It’s an ominous opener hoping to establish the feature as something of an eco-thriller, with a genuine interest in scaring viewers away from aerosol products. I’m sure director William Girdler had honest intentions with the picture, but it’s difficult to take “Day of the Animals” seriously. The screenplay deals exclusively in formula, sending thickly drawn personalities into the wild to mingle and scrap, each armed with a sliver of motivation and concern to work through during the run time. It’s disaster movie writing without the enormity of calamity to hide limitations, with much of the effort spotlighting personal problems that fail to inspire a reaction beyond a polite nod of understanding, unable to land any attempt at emotion. Instead of stirring around a stew of combustible personalities, Girdler merely survives expositional scenes, though there are competent performances here to save the movie when it labors through a few moments of tiresome confrontation.

The stars of the show are the animals, and we watch as bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and various birds pop up to defend their turf from the trespassing humans. Girdler orchestrates some impressive attack sequences, and while his visual effects fail him on occasion, the illusion is fairly convincing, with only a few shots clearly revealing actors rolling around in the dirt with stuffed animals. Snakes and dogs enter the fray as well, along with rats, which, for reasons unknown, have the ability to leap like Superman, flinging themselves on Sheriff Bert as the poor guy prepares a midnight snack in his kitchen. It’s the best scene of the movie, if only because it taps into a skin-crawling ick factor that’s missing from the rest of the effort. Sure, it’s amusing to watch the animals pounce on the hikers, tearing them to shreds, but the finest cheap thrills come from the creepy crawlies, and those little buggers are in short supply here. Still, flying rats. Girdler finds a way.

To compensate for the lack of wiggly, slithery creatures, there’s Nielsen’s performance, which adds the perfect amount of villainy to the proceedings. Paul’s a bully, a racist, and worst of all, an advertising executive, determined to undermine Steve’s leadership, hoping to divide the group as food sources are compromised, water runs out, and tempers flare. The actor is amusing as the ultimate blowhard (somehow making the line “lily- livered punk” sound completely natural), eventually asked to embody the script’s Big Idea on the feral nature of man when faced with primal forces. Losing his shirt and gaining a growl, Nielsen doesn’t bat an eye, giving 100% to the picture as Paul transforms into an animal himself, making it easier to root for wildlife and their relatively tasteful methods of intimidation.

Day of the Animals Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation is likely going to be the best "Day of the Animals" will look for a very long time. The gauzy (often insanely so) cinematography is brought to life on this BD, with a fresh appearance that brings out the flavors of the film, capturing the daylight- drenched feel of the effort. Colors are bright and bold, defined to satisfaction with a hearty read of primaries, keeping locations and costumes appealing, while animal skin and fur also remains natural. Shadow detail is adequate, with little crush to contend with, preserving distances and the nighttime attack sequences. Print damage is detected but never distracting, and grain is reserved while maintaining a filmic image. While not a movie built for crisp detail, there's plenty of texture to enjoy during the adventure, including sweaty facial particulars and location expanse.

Day of the Animals Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix registers nicely with a fresh, clean presentation that brings out the nuances of the track with clarity. There's a pleasing frontal position that balances scoring needs and dialogue exchanges comfortably, with both elements coming through with welcome precision, absent the level of hiss and pops common to B-movie releases. Highs and lows are controlled, while atmospherics are preserved, holding to the outdoor adventure mood of the movie, while growly and chirpy animals behaviors also register strongly. There's a 5.1 mix as well, which opens the listening experience up, pushing scoring into the surrounds and indulging in tasteful low-end activity. An Isolated Music track is also provided.

Day of the Animals Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Katarina's Nightmare Theater" (7:31, HD) returns host Katarina Leigh Waters to the Scorpion Releasing Blu-ray experience, this time taking the role of a hiker attacked by various stuffed animals, only to be reunited with her favorite pig, Mr. Pickles. Post-skit, Waters slips into IMDB mode, sharing trivia facts about the cast and crew, detailing their genre connections.

• Interview (17:58, SD) with actor Jon Cedar (who passed away in 2011) is an interesting sit-down with the feature's most hysterical star. Discussing his relationship with director William Girdler, Cedar reveals how he was cast in the picture, sharing a few anecdotes about the helmer. Talk of "Day of the Animals" is minimal, but there's enough BTS memories collected here to pass. Shot in a bare room, the sound is uncomfortably echoed, yet Cedar's kindness and pride in his work is easily detected.

• Interview (9:43, SD) with actor Paul Mantee offers a slightly different perspective on the making of the movie. Exploring relationships with his co-stars, Mantee provides a more intimate portrait of the "Day of the Animals" set. The talk extends into his television career, where he appeared on such shows as "Batman" and "Mission: Impossible." Again, the sound is hollow, but nothing it lost.

• A Trailer (:32, SD) is provided.

Day of the Animals Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Day of the Animals" slips into a philosophical mood in the third act, straining to take the premise seriously as characters consider their lives and possible demise. The animals take a back seat as Girdler works toward a climax, deflating the momentum of the picture before it unleashes a chaotic final battle. "Day of the Animals" is surprising and enticingly era-specific, extrapolating a scientific study to all-out war between human intruders and local creatures, and somehow Girdler makes it work without drowning in camp. It's a bizarre picture, yet its commitment to a cautionary tale overtone is admirable, finding stunning stability as a B-movie with a cause, though one that requires the use of flying rats to help reinforce the horror.