Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Savage Attraction Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 10, 2017

There’s a reason why 1983’s “Savage Attraction” (titled “Hostage” on the print) insists on reminding viewers on multiple occasions that it’s based on a true story. Otherwise, it would be easy to fault the filmmakers for committing such melodramatic nonsense to the screen. To buy into this world of abuse and manipulation, it takes a substantial leap of faith, as director Frank Shields (who scripts with John Lind) details a tremendous amount of stupidity without the psychological depth to back it up. Marital violence is no laughing matter, but the way it’s presented in “Savage Attraction,” one finds themselves checking the lead character’s head for signs of a recent lobotomy.

A fun-loving young woman in Australia working at a local carnival, Christine (Kerry Mack) has no shortage of suitors, enjoying sex and shenanigans with various men. However, Walter (Ralph Schicha) loves Christine, desperate to share his sincere feelings with his object of desire. Permitting a physical relationship, Christine is quickly overwhelmed by Walter’s possessiveness, ultimately agreeing to marry the German after he attempts suicide, inspired by their recent break-up. Pulled from her life and soon mother to a little girl, Christine is caught in Walter’s whirlwind emotional behavior, eventually discovering his ties to the Nazi party, with plans to make his wife and child part of a new master race, funded through a series of bank robberies.

“Savage Attraction” is mostly a Lifetime Movie with bits of exploitation tossed in to spice up the picture, keeping Mack unclothed as Christine deals with Walter’s hot and cold sex drive. There’s also a touch of Patty Hearst in the feature as well, with Christine eventually pressured to participate in armed bank robberies, appeasing Walter’s hostile influence. However, to buy into “Savage Attraction,” there needs to be more than just plotting. Christine’s journey from party gal to tormented soul doesn’t offer enough nuance, with the character making irrational decisions for no reason, including a key choice to marry Walter after he shoots himself, refusing to receive medical treatment unless she agrees to a lifetime of servitude. While I’m sure the real Christine suffered through a horribly complicated relationship built on lies and intimidation, the movie version appears to give up her life on a whim, despite ample opportunity to walk away from an obviously dire situation. Shields doesn’t take special care of motivations, making the film look ridiculous the longer Christine remains loyal to Walter, who never shows a single sign that he’s in touch with reality.

Savage Attraction Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Savage Attraction" is sourced from an aged print that runs a little too pink at times, and mild scratches and speckling remains on display. Detail is satisfactory for a low-budget effort, surveying pained close-ups and global travel textures, best with set decoration and exterior activity. Colors aren't precise, but do well with period hues on costuming, greenery, and blue skies, while street signage also retains some punch. Delineation is adequate, never losing anything to complete solidification.

Savage Attraction Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a reasonably clear listening experiencing, though highs can't be a bit too sharp at times. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, picking up on accent nuances and hushed conversations. Scoring isn't precise, but it supports as expected, with a decent sense of instrumentation, while polka band performances and deep synth cuts bring out a heavier presence. Sound effects are inherently thin, but they're understood. Hiss and pops are detected throughout. There are also a few scenes around the 57:00 mark that slip out of synch.

Savage Attraction Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:01, HD) is included.

Savage Attraction Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Savage Attraction" (which was blessed with one of the all-time greatest bait and switch VHS covers, replicated for the Blu-ray release) starts off ridiculous and only grows more absurd, soon globetrotting with Walter and Christine as they scramble to find a safe haven and preserve the Nazi way. Overt violence is rare and it's usually cartoonish, with Walter eventually reduced to threatening Christine with sticks of dynamite, and Shields has an incredibly disturbing fascination with keeping Christine and Walter's child involved in murder scenarios. So plan for a Silkwood shower after a viewing. Perhaps Christine's true tale of misery was striking in its extended horror and extraordinary summary of delusion, but "Savage Attraction" only cherry picks the highlights, and even those are stunningly dull.