Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

The Dead Zone Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 5, 2021

David Cronenberg's "The Dead Zone" (1983) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include new program with cinematographer Mark Irwin; new program with composer Edward Shearmur and music producer and engineer James Guthrie; various archival featurettes; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Five years after a terrible accident leaves him in a coma, Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) wakes with the ability to see into the future of anyone that touches his hand. The paranormal gift profoundly alters the way Smith interacts with people as well as the manner in which he is seen and treated by his former sweetheart (Brooke Adams), friends and strangers. After he fully recovers under the supervision of Dr. Sam Weizak (Herbert Lom), Smith is approached by Sheriff Bannerman with a request to help track down an elusive psychopathic killer. Soon after, Smith also crosses paths with aspiring politician Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen), and after getting a glimpse of his future as a President, decides to risk his life to prevent a worldwide disaster.

Rightfully considered the first big cinematic adaptation of a Stephen King novel, David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone is a tense and subversive thriller that in certain ways feels even more relevant today. Indeed, the transformation its main protagonist undergoes is presented with a series of ‘logical’ justifications of his thoughts and actions that have been repeatedly witnessed in America’s reality since the early ‘80s. While the paranormal gift temporarily places the transformation in a different context that helps the buildup of the suspense, ultimately what emerges from it is a classic case of self-radicalization that sadly feels awfully familiar.

In the United States, The Dead Zone was initially released on Blu-ray by Paramount Home Media Distribution. For additional comments on the film, please see Martin Liebman's review of this release here.

The Dead Zone Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Dead Zone arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. (This is not the new 4K master that the folks at Scream Factory commissioned for the North American release of the film). It is a fine master, from time to time perhaps even easy to describe as quite good, but it reveals some very familiar limitations. For example, if you have a larger screen you will likely notice that grain can often appear a tad powdery. The effect, which is very common on older masters, impacts depth and fluidity. In close-ups clarity can be affected as well. In darker areas some fine nuances struggle to appear nicely defined, though I must say that the grading job is actually very good. Predictably, small highlights can appear a bit overblown, which is another limitation that impacts the overall perception of depth. Image stability is very good. There are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Dead Zone Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I suspect that most viewers will choose the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track when viewing the film, which is indeed very good, but I opted for the LPCM 2.0 track. I thought that the LPCM 2.0 track was excellent and ended up doing a few comparisons with the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 from the recent North American release of The Dead Zone. I don't think that there is a substantial difference between the two. In areas where Michael Kamen's excellent score becomes prominent the two tracks perform really, really well. I also tested the big accident in the beginning of the film and can confirm that dynamic intensity is identical. I did not encounter any technical anomalies to report in our review.

The Dead Zone Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for The Dead Zone. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Commentary - in this audio commentary, critics Stephen Jones and Kim Newman discuss the conception of The Dead Zone and the original material from Stephen King's novel that inspired it, the production of the film as well as the very particular manner in which it was marketed, its style and tone, the main conflicts that are depicted in it, etc.

• Look Past the Future - in this new program, cinematographer Mark Irwin discusses the evolution of his professional relationship with David Cronenberg, his contribution to The Dead Zone, the film's visual style and tone and specifically the intent to make it look like as if Norman Rockwell had shot it, etc. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• From Coma to Coda - in this new program, composer Edward Shearmur discusses the unique qualities of the score Michael Kamen composed for The Dead Zone, the manner in which the music relates to the psychology of the film, etc. Music producer and engineer James Guthrie discusses his professional relationship with Kamen and his stylistic preferences as well. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Dino in the Dark: Adapting the King of Horror - this new documentary takes a closer look at the history of the relationship between Stephen King and Hollywood as well as the key films that emerged from it, including The Dead Zone. Included in it are new interviews with author and Stephen King historian Joseph Maddrey, author and director Mick Garris, and director Mark L. Lester, among others. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Frank Dodd & the Cujo Connection - presented here is a new visual essay by critic Lee Gambin. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• Memories From The Dead Zone - in this archival featurette, David Cronenberg explains how he became involved with The Dead Zone. Also included are clips from archival interviews with Brooke Adams, author and critic Douglas E. Winter, and editor Ronald Sanders. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• The Look of The Dead Zone - in this archival featurette, David Cronenberg, author and critic Douglas E. Winter, and cinematographer Mark Irwin address the visual appearance of The Dead Zone. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Visions and Horror From The Dead Zone - in this archival featurette, David Cronenberg and cinematographer Mark Irwin explain how key sequences from The Dead Zone were shot and address specific material from Stephen King's novel that was altered. Author and critic Douglas E. Winter comments as well. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• The Politics of The Dead Zone - in this archival featurette, author and critic Douglas E. Winter, editor Ronald Sanders, Martin Sheen, and David Cronenberg address the politics and subversive nature of The Dead Zone. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Vintage Interviews (1983) - David Cronenberg, producer Debra Hill, and Martin Sheen discuss the production of The Dead Zone as well as its characterizations and conflicts. In English, with imposed Japanese subtitles. (17 min).

• Interview with Stephen King - this archival interview with Stephen King was conducted at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. It covers a wide range of topics, including key events from The Dead Zone and the politics that may or may not be part of them. In English, not subtitled (51 min).

The Dead Zone Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This recent Australian release of The Dead Zone is not sourced from the 4K master that the folks at Scream Factory used when they prepared their North American release of the film. It is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Paramount Pictures. I think that it offers a fine presentation of the film, but the reality is that you can get a superior presentation if you pick up the Scream Factory release. Also, when considering which release to purchase for your library, you should keep in mind that each comes with some very interesting unique bonus features. I am happy to have both because I like the film quite a lot. RECOMMENDED.