Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Split Second Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 3, 2020

Tony Maylam’s "Split Second" (1992) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 101 Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new interview with producer Laura Gregory and actor Alastair (Neil) Duncan; new interview with composer Stephen W. Parsons; new audio commentary by critic Mike Leeder and filmmaker Arne Venema; archival featurettes; vintage promotional materials; and a lot more. Also included with the release is a 30-page illustrated booklet featuring essay by critics Scott Harrison and Phillip Escott. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Caught

The future. In the year 2008, global warming has altered the atmosphere and London is submerged below water. Because of high levels of pollution, day has also become almost endless night.

Veteran cop Harley Stone (Rutger Hauer, The Hitcher, Flesh + Blood) is looking for the killer of his late partner. He tracks him down somewhere on the outskirts of the city, but loses him in a busy night club moments after he rips out the heart of his latest victim. Stone then goes berserk and ends up spending the night behind bars.

After he regains his composure, Stone is assigned a new partner, Dick Durkin (Alastair Duncan, Sleeping With Strangers), who quickly annoys him with his endless questions. Nevertheless, together they go back on the streets looking for the killer, but he always seems a few steps ahead of them. Eventually, the elusive killer attacks Stone’s girlfriend, Michelle (Kim Cattrall, Mannequin, Big Trouble in Little China).

Tony Maylam’s Split Second fits nicely somewhere between Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and John McTiernan’s Predator, though one can immediately tell that its creator had a much smaller budget to work with. Unsurprisingly, the visuals can’t be compared to those of Scott and McTiernan’s films, but the sense of paranoia that permeates Split Second is unquestionably similar to the one that defines the two cult classics.

The film is very effective if one sees it without knowing anything about the identity of the killer, but since 1992 various promotional materials have had major spoilers. This isn’t to imply that because of them the story suffers dramatically, but the entire second half has a very different vibe if one views it expecting a conventional resolution.

Hauer is the heart and soul of the film. Had his lines been uttered by a different actor the film likely would have been a massive disappointment, but his quirky style saves them and actually gives the film its identity. Because the majority of the time he does look like someone who truly is paranoid and does not care much if his life would end prematurely, the outbursts, general eeriness and graphic visuals blend wonderfully well. The end result is a very dark futuristic thriller that nearly manages to break some genre boundaries.

There are no big special effects, but this is something that actually helps the film a lot. Maylam and cinematographer Clive Tickner (Getting It Right) use a number of excellent locations and a variety of dark and cold colors and shadows to give the film what can best be described as an organic industrial look. The fact that the killer is kept in the dark for as long as possible also works to the film’s advantage.

The film’s hugely atmospheric soundtrack was composed and orchestrated by Stephen Parsons and Francis Haines. The soundtrack also features an outstanding cover of the classic “Nights in White Satin” performed by Colin Blunstone (The Alan Parsons Project/The Zombies).

Split Second Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Split Second arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 101 Films.

This is the second release of this film from 101 Films -- we have a review of the first here -- which was advertised as being sourced from a new 4K master struck from a 35mm internegative. Sadly, I have to speculate that fans of the film that have been patiently waiting for a quality presentation of it to emerge on the home video market will be seriously disappointed once they get a chance to test it.

Moments ago, I finished viewing the new release and my impression is that it does not offer any significant improvements over the previous release. I would say that at best there are very minor and often insignificant nuances that might appear better defined on the new release, but the big and meaningful upgrades that new 4K masters deliver in important areas such as depth, delineation, and clarity are missing. Furthermore, a lot of the darker footage, of which there is plenty, looks practically identical. I even saw a lot of the same background crushing and flatness that are present on the previous release. A few close-ups appear slightly 'tighter', but on a larger screen the difference is very difficult to appreciate. Perhaps only the marginally better density of the visuals can be identified as a legit upgrade, but I again think that the majority of viewers will be unimpressed. Color saturation and overall color balance are better, but this is another area where there is still a lot of room for massive improvements. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Finally, while viewing the film I noticed quite a few small white specks and flecks, as well as scattered blemishes and even tiny scratches. All in all, considering the fact that a new 4K master was advertised for this release, I think that the end result is seriously underwhelming. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Split Second Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I could not hear any meaningful improvements to report in our review. However, this isn't bad news because the lossless track is quite strong. (The other LPCM 2.0 track from first release was just as good). Clarity, stability, and balance are actually very strong. This being said, Split Second would probably be an entirely different film with a newly remastered Atmos track.

Split Second Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE

• Audio Commentary - in this new audio commentary, critic Mike Leeder and filmmaker Arne Venema discuss in great detail the visual style and atmosphere of Split Second, Rutger Hauer's presence and action image, the film's promotional campaign and international distribution, the special effects and gore that are seen throughout the film, etc. The commentary was recorded exclusively for 101 Films/MVD Remind Collection.

BLU-RAY DISC TWO

• Japanese Cut - presented here is the Japanese Cut of the film, which features some additional footage that is not present on the original version of the film. It is sourced from an analog master prepared for Toho Video/Tohokushinsha Home Video. In English, with imposed Japanese subtitles. English LPCM 2.0. (96 min, 480/60i).

• "Great Big Bloody Guns!" - in this new program, producer Laura Gregory and actor Alastair (Neil) Duncan recalls how the original idea for Split Second materialized and discuss the film's production, the key locations in London where the film was shot, Rutger Hauer's contribution and his sense of humor, the film's atmosphere (and the apparently quite important rats), the huge guns that are seen in the film, etc. In English, not subtitled. (28 min, 1080p).

• "Call Me Mr. Snips!" - in this new program, Stephen W. Parsons explains what inspired him to become a composer and how he entered the film business, and discusses the soundtrack he created for Split Second. Apparently, there were absolutely no changes made to the original music he presented to director Tony Maylam. In English, not subtitled. (23 min, 1080p).

• "Stay in Line!" - in this new program, line producer Laurie Borg explains how he became involved with Split Second and discusses the '80s practice of working on industrial properties to create particular environments/looks, how the film business has evolved, the shooting of the crucial train sequence, etc. In English, not subtitled. (23 min, 1080p).

• "More Blood!" - in this new program, special effects artist Cliff Wallace recalls how he was hired to do the alien creature in Split Second. There are also some quite interesting comments about a few classic horror films that inspired him to enter the business. In English, not subtitled. (32 min, 1080p).

• "Shoot Everything!" - in this new program, cinematographer Clive Tickner discusses the early stages of his career and particular films he made with the likes of Ken Loach, Alan Clarke, and Stephen Frears, as well as his involvement with Split Second. There are some particularly interesting comments about Rotger Hauer's supposedly unpleasant demeanor during the production of the film. In English, not subtitled. (19 min, 1080p).

• Featurette One (1992) - presented here is an archival featurette with raw footage from the shooting of Split Second. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, PAL).

• Featurette Two (1992) - presented here is a slightly EPK featurette with a short description of Split Second and highlights from the film. Also included are short clips from interviews with Rutger Hauer, Neil Duncan, Kim Cattrall, Michael J. Pollard, and producer Laura Gregory, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, PAL).

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are a few deleted scenes from the Japanese Cut of the film. In English, with imposed Japanese subtitles. (5 min, PAL).

• U.S. Promo - a vintage U.S. promo piece for Split Second from a VHS release. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 480/60i).

• Promotional TV Clips - a collection of highlights/promotional clips for Split Second. In English, not subtitled. (14 min, PAL).

• Trailer - an original vintage trailer for Split Second. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, PAL).

• Booklet - 30-page illustrated booklet featuring "Monster Mash: Making Split Second" by Scott Harrison and "Behind Blue Eyes: Rutger Hauer, Unlikely Action Star" by Phillip Escott."

Split Second Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I was seriously underwhelmed with the technical presentation of Split Second. There was a lot of publicity for the 'new 4K restoration' that was done for this release – as well as the North American release from MVD Rewind Collection – but there is so much room for improvement that I just don't think the film has the type of solid organic appearance it needs to look impressive on Blu-ray. Is this release worth owning? Yes, absolutely. The exclusive new and archival bonus features are outstanding and I think that every fan of the film will appreciate them. However, this cult film needed a completely different type of makeover so that we can have a definitive home video release of it. RECOMMENDED, but wait for a sale.