The Chosen Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Chosen Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 6, 2019

Watching as Gregory Peck soared to new box office heights with 1976’s “The Omen,” Kirk Douglas decided he wanted in on the trend of satanic panic features. Enter the Italian Film Industry, offering the star of “Spartacus” a chance to participate in the subgenre with 1977’s “The Chosen” (titled “Holocaust 2000” on the disc), with Douglas offered a role that has him decoding the apocalypse, racing against time to confront an evil he doesn’t immediately understand. To be blunt, the picture is no “Omen.” It’s not even “Omen II,” but “The Chosen” does have Douglas, who delivers a fully squeezed take on parental horror and corporate shame, giving everything to a B-movie guided by Alberto De Martino, helmer of “The Pumaman.”

Robert (Kirk Douglas) is an industrialist determined to build a thermonuclear plant in the Middle East, trying to create an energy source that will alleviate many of the world’s problems. Joined by his son, Angel (Simon Ward), Robert does battle with local politicians and public condemnation, facing intense criticism for his vision, which only inspires him to push forward, determined to see the project to completion. Sparking his curiosity is photojournalist Sara (Agostina Belli), who shares information concerning the site, which rests near holy land marked with clues pertaining to the rise of the antichrist. Initially waving off the warnings, Robert begins to see connections through art and numerology, turning to Monsignor Charrier (Romolo Valli) for possible answers concerning the return of demonic power. Growing concerned about the plant and his possible connection to the devil, Robert loses himself to paranoia while romancing Sara and supporting Angel’s corporate ascent.

“The Chosen” is meant to be a timely picture, with energy crisis of the 1970s serving as a backdrop for the story. Robert is a businessman trying to solve certain issues of accessibility, sharing a vision for widespread power to help the third world evolve. Trouble is, the population doesn’t want it, with fears of instability inspiring protestors to target Robert’s office, chanting about future disasters threatening the lives of children. There’s a vivid sense of time and place in the production, at least for the first half, finding Robert trying to make something positive to save the Earth, relying on lasers and computers to generate a revolution in power. However, “The Chosen” doesn’t remain on headline news for very long, soon turning attention to the rise of evil in the land, as the man with the plan comes into contact with ancient markings that inscribe the name of Jesus into rock, and, with the help of Sara, Robert learns of a painting that depicts the wrath of a hydra-like creature, emerging from the depths of Hell to destroy the world.

Robert is a practical guy, and “The Chosen” tracks the development of his attitude concerning the rise of Satan. Douglas takes the part with extreme seriousness, never delving into camp as he plays a man beginning to believe in the unthinkable. It’s a fine performance, adding necessary emphasis to the endeavor, with Douglas popping a few veins to communicate Robert’s slide into confusion, unsure if he should trust common sense or the world of religion, with Charrier joining the investigation, using his Godly education to decode the clues. De Martino tries to mix things up with a visit to the nightmare realm, where Robert is stripped naked and forced to confront the grim possibility of the plant via apocalyptic visions. It says a lot about Douglas’s commitment to the production when he agrees to do full-frontal nudity for an Italian B-movie.

Suspense comes with the gathering of information, finding Robert retreating to a computer hive, trusting in his techs to crack the energy code, but also research the antichrist puzzles. “The Chosen” isn’t all cold stares at papers and screens, as the production strives to warm things up by pairing Robert with Sara, sneaking in a love scene in the midst of end-of-days panic. It’s awkward, but such a coupling plays an important role of misdirection in the final act, while Sara also comes between Robert and Angel as the story unfolds, adding extra tension between the pair, who have different responses to growing evidence that something awful is brewing near the construction site.

“The Chosen” loses pace and agitation the longer it carries on, as the script doesn’t have much for Robert to do once he catches on to heavenly warnings. Instead of increasing the lunacy of the plot, De Martino gets icky with certain medical confrontations involving Sara and her body, which suddenly turn the fantasy of “The Chosen” into real-world menace, and that doesn’t sit comfortably in a movie that also features Douglas running around naked in the desert. The film doesn’t improve as it goes, which is a disappointment, failing to wind up as a true nail-biter as the Apocalypse is threatened and family ties begin to fray.

The Chosen Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Chosen" secures a bright appreciation for the feature's coastal locations and office interiors. Desert adventures register with depth, and detail is sustained with facial surfaces, with the film enjoying numerous close-ups. Costuming is textured, along with furniture, capturing luxury dwellings. Colors are satisfactory, with appealing primaries emerging from period decoration and costuming. Greenery is secure, along with blue skies. Skintones are natural. Delineation is strong, preserving mood lighting and frame information. Source is in good shape, with some mild speckling and scratches.

The Chosen Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix runs into periodic trouble with damage, most notably around the 34:00 mark, which hits a stretch of muddiness before clearing up again. It's a rare event, but volume fluctuations are noted. Dialogue exchanges largely maintain integrity, with passionate dramatics delivered with clarity, supporting emotionality. Scoring carries with a tad less definition at times, but instrumentation is appreciable. Atmospherics are adequate, capturing a sense of outdoor activity and street protests. Sound effects are acceptable.

The Chosen Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Alternate U.S. Cut (102:13, HD) offers a largely similar version of "The Chosen," with the most notable change being the ending, which adds a hastily assembled sense of finality to a previously ambiguous conclusion.

• T.V. Spot (1:12, HD) offers a single commercial for "The Chosen."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:20, HD) is included.

The Chosen Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's some ugliness to "The Chosen" which prevents it from becoming charming escapism, but De Martino strives to be sincere with the work, leaving audiences with question of global safety and generational concern. It's a bit odd to encounter such contemplation at the end of a movie about satanic fury, but little acts of integrity stand out. For Douglas admirers, he works a lot of magic here, trying his best to create forward momentum for the endeavor, feeling every hit, discovery, and betrayal. It all leads to an unsatisfying ending, but "The Chosen" does well enough with introductions, setting up a strange mystery of Hell on Earth that's compelling, just not solved with enough cinematic complexity or fury.