Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Lift Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 29, 2017

Dick Maas' "The Lift" a.k.a. "De Lift" (1983) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of independent distributors Blue Underground. The supplemental features on the disc include original trailers for the film; exclusive new video interview with actor Huub Stapel; exclusive new audio commentary with writer/director Dick Maas and editor Hans van Dongen; original promotional materials; and more. The release also arrives with an 18-page illustrated booklet featuring film critic Chris Alexander's essay "Evil Elevators and Unsung Auteurs: Looking Closely at The Lift" and technical credits. In Dutch or English, with optional English, English SDH, and Spanish subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Wrong move

There is a brand new audio commentary on this release with director Dick Maas and editor Hans van Dongen in which it is confirmed that The Lift was directly influenced by Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Director Maas even reveals that he literally thought of the killer elevator as the big bad shark from Spielberg’s film and that key parts of the narrative in his film are essentially imitated. The information surprised me quite a bit because while watching The Lift I never once thought of Jaws. This film has an entirely different vibe running through it and feels very original.

Huub Stapel plays a quiet technician named Felix Adelaar who is employed by a large maintenance company with clients all over Amsterdam. While the job doesn’t seem to pay much, he enjoys it and is grateful that it allows him to take care of his family. After a very odd accident involving a big elevator creates some serious problems for the owners of a popular industrial building, Felix is dispatched to run a complete test and see if the elevator functions as it should. His report confirms that there is nothing wrong with the elevator, but shortly after a new accident places the building in the spotlight. While looking for a logical explanation of the elevator’s bizarre malfunctions, Felix is joined by investigative reporter Mieke (Willeke van Ammelrooy) who senses that he may not be looking at the problem from the right angle. Eventually Mieke is proven right, but her interactions with Felix rock his marriage and he is forced to make a series of very difficult decisions.

Jaws might have been the main inspiration behind this film, but it actually feels like an original project that someone like John Carpenter would have conceived early in his career. Indeed, it has that very distinctive auteur-personality that many of Carpenter’s early films have and oozes a similar degree of confidence that instantly creates the impression that it has the right plan to offer quality entertainment. Even the use of the ambient score that Maas composed very much reminds of the way that Carpenter usually incorporates music in his films to enhance the desired atmosphere.

The concept that explains the elevator’s odd behavior might have been easy to dismiss as far-fetched in the early ‘80s, but now it actually makes perfect sense as artificial intelligence is steadily altering the manner in which entire industries are managed. The military has also integrated it in crucial systems that are part of sophisticated defense shields that require an even greater ‘smart’ flexibility. So in addition to being a spooky chiller, now The Lift can very easily be defended as a thought-provoking thriller that identifies some very real and frightening l possibilities.

The quality of the acting is very good, but director Maas apparently had some serious problems with some of the cast members. One actor reportedly had a very difficult time remembering his lines and kept improvising; Ammelrooy also wasn’t thrilled with Maas’ working methods and after shooting ended prepared a tape with instructions that were meant to ‘help’ him get better. Stapel apparently did not get the film’s style, but kept doing what he was contracted to do. It is a bit strange, really -- or if you consider the big picture, which is that at the time there wasn’t another Dutch film quite like The Lift -- but the end result is a very nicely executed film with a memorable style.

The Lift Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Dick Maas' The Lift arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground.

The release is sourced from a brand new 2K master which was supervised and approved by director Maas. I would say that the end result is every bit as convincing as the new restoration of Amsterdamned, and there is no doubt in my mind that this release will remain the definitive presentation of The Lift on the home video market. Indeed, the entire film now looks very healthy, vibrant, and nicely balanced. I projected it and what immediately made an impression on me was the wonderful '80s organic appearance that the new master has -- while plenty of the footage is quite dark depth and fluidity remain consistent, and despite some interesting stylistic choices grain exposure is never compromised. The color grading is also very convincing, but I don't think that this is surprising as director Maas probably had very specific instructions what needs to be done so that the film looks as he envisioned it. Image stability is excellent. Lastly, there are absolutely no distracting debris, damage marks, cuts, stains, warps, 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 Lift Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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

I viewed the film with the Dutch DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track and then did some random comparisons with the Dutch DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. It is pretty obvious that the audio was fully remastered because clarity, depth, and balance are excellent. Both tracks have good dynamic intensity as well, though I would like to specifically point out that the 5.1 track definitely opens up better a few of the more active sequences with the elevator(s). The dialog is always clean and very easy to follow.

The Lift Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Going Up - Interview with Huub Stapel - in this new video interview, actor Huub Stapel recalls how he was cast to play Felix Adelaar, and discusses his initial impression of and interactions with writer/director Dick Maas during the shooting of The Lift, the style and atmosphere of the film, some of the special effects, etc. (Paul Verhoeven's daughter was apparently hired to do the catering during the shoot). The interview was conducted exclusively for Blue Underground in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Short Film - presented here is Dick Maas' short film Long Distance, which was completed in 2003. A middle-aged man, who has just had a terrible accident, phones his family from his car moments before he dies. In Dutch, with optional English subtitles. (5 min).

• Audio Commentary - in this brand new audio commentary, writer/director Dick Maas and editor Hans van Dongen reveal that The Lift was in fact inspired by Steven Spielberg's Jaws and discuss in great detail where and how large portions of the film were shot (apparently on location around Amsterdam), the design of the elevator and the special effects, the various lighting choices, the casting of Huub Stapel, the soundtrack and the manner in which it enhances the desired ambience, the film's critical reception in Holland and abroad, etc. Director Maas also mentions a hilarious experience he had with actress Willeke van Ammelrooy, who apparently sent him a tape with recorded instructions that were meant to help him improve his working methods. There are also specific comments about the new 2K restoration of the film. The commentary, which is moderated by David Gregory, was recorded exclusively for Blue Underground.

• Trailers -
  
  1. Dutch - restored Dutch trailer for The Lift. In Dutch, with optional English subtitles. (4 min).
  2. U.S. Trailer - remastered original U.S. trailer for The Lift. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Poster & Still Gallery - a gallery of original promotional materials for The Lift from around the world (posters & ads, German lobby cards, original stills, behind-the-scenes stills, storyboards, and video & soundtrack covers). The gallery was compiled by Gregory Chick.

• Booklet - 18-page illustrated booklet featuring film critic Chris Alexander's essay "Evil Elevators and Unsung Auteurs: Looking Closely at The Lift" and technical credits.

• Cover Art - reversible cover art.

The Lift Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The concept behind The Lift might have been easy to dismiss as absurd in the early '80s, but I think that it is definitely relevant in the digital era. I thought that the film possesses intelligence and confidence that are very attractive, and also revealing some very interesting similarities with John Carpenter's best work. Blue Underground's upcoming release is sourced from a very beautiful new 2K master that was supervised and approved by director Dick Maas, so if you like the film the Blu-ray should already have a reserved spot on your shelf. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.