Of Unknown Origin 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Of Unknown Origin 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

1983’s “Of Unknown Origin” features a clash between actor Peter Weller and a particularly aggressive rat. And that’s pretty much all there is to the movie, giving director George P. Cosmatos and screenwriter Brian Taggart (adapting a novel by Chauncey G. Parker III) room to cook up various sequences of torment and suspense. Of course, there’s more to the material than a basic conflict, with the writing teasing elements of dented masculinity and business world misery along the way, but the core viewing experience remains with an animal attack scenario. And the picture works, giving viewers a suspenseful and enjoyably vicious ride with a most unusual battle to the death, handing the endeavor over to Weller, who’s tasked with generating a nice range of reactions to developing troubles as his character gradually loses his sanity in the pursuit of rodent finality.

Of Unknown Origin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Of Unknown Origin" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2018 by Shout Factory, and returns with a new UHD release from Vinegar Syndrome, listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The previous viewing experience for the film was quite appealing, and the 4K event does just as well with the movie. "Of Unknown Origin" is a very dark feature at times, dealing with limited lighting around the house setting, but detail survives, exploring the greasy appearance of the rat and skin particulars on Peter Weller. Daylight offerings bring out a full understanding of frame information, including fibrous costuming, which favors heavier suits and more sheer outfits on Shannon Tweed's character. Interiors maintain dimension, examining decoration and destruction. Exteriors deliver urban depths. Color is defined, handling rich red blood and assorted primaries on paint additions. The browns and grays of office life are intact, along with the cooler concrete presence of the city. Skin tones are natural, and Tweed's blondness is distinct. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition.

Of Unknown Origin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track is listed as the "original mono soundtrack." Dialogue exchanges are defined throughout, balancing the office and domestic encounters with more active screams of pain and frustration. Scoring supports with clear instrumentation and dramatic emphasis. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable, including rat shrieking.

Of Unknown Origin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features actor Peter Weller and director George P. Cosmatos.

• Commentary #2 features podcasters Bill Bria and Ashley Coffin.

• "Man vs. Rat" (21:52, HD) is an interview with actor Peter Weller, who enthusiastically tracks the development of his career through dramatic work, suddenly offered a starring role in a horror film, taking his professional choices into a new direction. Characterization is discussed, and the source material is analyzed, giving Weller something to research to help with his creative contributions. The interviewee shares his perspective on rodents, especially as a resident of New York City, and his appreciation for the picture after a recent rewatch is shared, revisiting his relationship with director George P. Cosmatos. Thoughts on the Montreal shoot are provided, and the Canadian cast is celebrated. Weller also details technical challenges and subtext, remaining enthusiastic about the feature.

• "Out of the Blue" (16:50, HD) is a video conference interview with Jennifer Dale, who was a working Canadian actress at the time of her hiring on "Of Unknown Origin," analyzing her creative development and work on the stage. Dale was brought into the feature, recalling time with her co-stars, marveling over the supporting cast and mourning personal losses. The interviewee is honest about her part in "Of Unknown Origin," facing the limited range of the part, electing to celebrate her career achievements instead, including work with David Cronenberg and the creation of short films and dramatic monologues to help to keep her "creative juices" flowing.

• "The Art of the Rat" (7:34, HD) is an interview with celebrated special effects artist Stephan Dupuis, who recalls his early work that led to his hiring on "For Unknown Origin," even spending time with the legendary Dick Smith, learning tricks of the trade. Work on the rat was required, challenged to "uglify" the creature, and the interviewee shares memories from the shoot, including puppet work with genuinely frightened children. Technical details are shared, and Dupuis recalls his reunion with actor Peter Weller on "RoboCop," contributing to the makeup effort on the classic 1987 picture.

• "That Rat Movie" (17:56) is an interview with screenwriter Brian Taggart, who charts his rise as a playwright into the world of films, finding early success with his work on "Visiting Hours." Receiving another horror project to develop, Taggart took a crack at adapting Chauncey G. Parker III's novel, looking for a way to give the material a larger sense of menace and allegorical meaning, while the character of Bart was based on his own stepfather. The writer discusses casting and working with Cosmatos, also sharing praise for Weller's turn in the picture, giving the words some on-screen lift. There's talk of rat research, and Taggart is candid about the domestic box office performance of "Of Unknown Origin," which bombed in the U.S. but collected mostly positive reviews, giving the writer something to savor after being savaged by the press on "Visiting Hours."

• "The Origins of 'Of Unknown Origin'" (14:10, HD) is an interview with producer Pierre David, who discusses production origins for the movie and initial casting awkwardness for the film, with a Warner Brothers executive assuming David was sleeping with Shannon Tweed when he requested to put her in the picture. David praises work from the stars and describes how the creative team managed to sell the visual of a rampaging rat (at one point using a costumed possum). After labeling "Of Unknown Origin" a happy shoot, David goes on to share his disappointment with the film's tanking in America, clinging to positive reviews and the collection of a few awards in Paris.

• "Hey, Weren't You in 'Scanners?'" (14:07, HD) is an interview with actor Louis Del Grande, who provides a scattered, jokey conversation about many things, just not much about "Of Unknown Origin." Perhaps of most value to viewers is a chance to watch Del Grande go off about his iconic role in "Scanners" (he was the guy whose head explodes), watching the moment replayed everywhere for decades while he only collected a small fee for his work.

• "Locations Then and Now" (8:35, HD) visits the world of "Of Unknown Origin" with host Vincenzo Nappi, who visits the buildings used in the production.

• "'Of Unknown Origin': From Animal Attack Movie to Urban Survival Thriller" (14:46, HD) is a video essay by Samm Deighan.

• Image Gallery (5:46) collects marketing art, film stills, and publicity shots.

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:17, HD) and Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:44, HD) are included.

Of Unknown Origin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

An actor known for his quiet intensity (and love of Oreo cookies), Weller does a remarkable job committing to a premise that could easily veer into pure silliness. He gives his all to the part, portraying a usually cool and collected person facing a situation he can't easily solve, with the extermination process breaking him psychologically and physically. Cosmatos serves up grisly events with gnarly rat close-ups to support the endeavor's horror intent, but "Of Unknown Origin" does much better with its open tribute to "Moby Dick" and obsession cinema, serving up relatable head games while amplifying genre moves.