6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The small town of Tarker's Mill was a place that was very peaceful, where nothing ever happened. Until one night, murders begin. The town people believe its some maniac killer on the loose and intend to hunt the man down. Marty, a young handicapped boy, believes that the killer is no man at all, but a werewolf.
Starring: Gary Busey, Everett McGill, Corey Haim, Megan Follows, Robin GrovesHorror | 100% |
Mystery | 5% |
Thriller | 3% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
1985’s “Silver Bullet” is an adaptation of 1983’s “Cycle of the Werewolf,” a “novelette” from Stephen King, who tried to do something with the slight idea of a monster on a monthly prowl, terrorizing a small town. And who better to pull together the screenplay than King himself, working to make something substantial for the screen, mixing traditional stabs of horror with observant scenes of family life, creating an unusual genre effort. Directed by Dan Attias, “Silver Bullet” closely follows the King template, paying reverence to the author, trusting him to deliver something spooky and strange. The movie gets most of the way there, benefiting from King’s contributions, which preserve his idiosyncratic vision for a literary-minded creature feature.
"Silver Bullet" has appeared on Blu-ray before, including last year's release from Umbrella Entertainment. Shout Factory appears to use the same master, with the AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivering a satisfying look at the cinematographic particulars of the picture, which tends to favor a diffused appearance, especially around werewolf attacks. Detail comes through, presenting textured costuming and monster fur, and facial surfaces retain intended wear and tear. Colors are compelling, handling period outfits with some primary heft, and greenery is appealing, preserving the small town atmosphere. Delineation is comfortable, doing well with the feature's intense nighttime activity. Source is in decent shape, lacking any major areas of damage.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a clean and clear listening event for "Silver Bullet." Dialogue exchanges are crisp and inviting, securing softer emotional exchanges and louder argumentative acts. Scoring needs are met, finding cues defined, from more orchestral passages to the occasional blast of synth. Sound effects are pronounced, handling all sorts of werewolf attacks and the small engine roar of Marty's wheelchair. Atmospherics are engaging, with a full sense of group activity.
"Silver Bullet" touches on ideas of loss and religion, but King also indulges his love for alcoholic buffoons, keeping the picture stocked with middle-aged men who lust for vigilante justice but remain woefully unprepared for a monster in their midst. There are ideas embedded in the screenplay to give it texture, while the rest of the feature deals with the essentials of monster mayhem, showcasing torn bodies and gushing wounds as the creature takes out members of the community, freaking out the locals. And yet, the grand display of gore and a rampaging threat isn't quite as compelling as the interplay between family members and local gatherings. King clearly favors such layered humanity and displays of terrible impulse control, making "Silver Bullet" the rare werewolf film where the werewolf is the least interesting element of the production. Director Dan Attias tries to give his man-in- suit some presence in the endeavor, and it's fine as this type of entertainment goes, but the King-iest stretches of the effort are compelling, helping to give the movie some personality between displays of full moon fever.
Original Unrated Cut
2005
1942
1977
1995
2013
Warner Archive Collection
1945
1986
1933
1941
1989
1975
1983
Collector's Edition
1961
1976
1972
1976
2005
2020
1966
2023