Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Quest Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 11, 2020

Brian Trenchard-Smith's "Frog Dreaming" a.k.a. "The Quest" (1985) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include audio commentary by director Brian Trenchard-Smith, editor Brian Kavanagh, costume designer Aphrodite Kondos, and director Mark Hartley; video interviews with actors Henry Thomas, Rachel Friend and Tamsin West; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

"First you dance with the Devil. Then you find out about Donkegin."

Yes, there are more than a few stylistic similarities between Frog Dreaming and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, and Henry Thomas definitely uses his charm in some familiar ways when he goes to work to impress. But does it really matter? Ultimately, Frog Dreaming chooses its own path and delivers a very different range of thrills. It just so happens that it attempts to appeal to the same audience that E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial targeted, but this isn’t enough to declare that it is some kind of a foreign semi-copycat.

The location is a small town somewhere in the Outback where American teenager Cody (Thomas) lives with his guardian Gaza (wonderful Tony Barry). They treat each other as equal and as a result have a wonderful relationship.

On a hot summer day, Cody accidentally discovers an old mine that was flooded and abandoned by the people that once managed it. Amongst the debris, the boy then recognizes the scattered personal belongings of a local outcast and when he begins searching for him realizes that the place does not appear on any of the maps that are being used in town. While trying to figure out why, Cody learns from a few aboriginals that it could be because the place is considered the home of Donkegin, an ancient demon, which only the bravest warriors have seen and lived to tell about.

A few days later, Cody and his good friend Wendy (Rachel Friend) transport a primitive diving suit to the old mine and he instructs her how to control the small power generator that sends air to it. Cody then jumps in the muddy water and goes straight to the bottom of the mine to look for the mysterious Donkegin. Not long after that the noise from the moving air awakens Donkegin and he falls in some sort of a trap. When Cody does not come out of the muddy water the terrified Wendy rushes back to town and tells everyone that her friend has died in an awful accident. Eventually, Gaza, the town’s sheriff, and a small rescue team arrive at the flooded mine to figure out a strategy to recover Cody’s body. However, when two professional divers enter the muddy waters, Donkegin comes alive.

Brian Trenchard-Smith directs Frog Dreaming in a confident but also relaxed fashion that is arguably the main reason why the mystery that is at the heart of the film does not disappoint. There is a decent buildup with an attractive atmosphere but conventional logic is never brushed aside, which is why when eventually the mystery of the old mine is solved everything instantly begins to make perfect sense.

The absence of any expensive special effects helps the film’s credibility as well. It makes it easier for Cody and his friends to look authentic and essentially react in ways that most teenagers would if they were in a similar position. The fear of the unknown is the only catalyst behind the dark magic that the film promotes and as such it is awfully difficult to dismiss. This is basically it, and once it becomes obvious that it is all that Trenchard-Smith wants to prove it becomes very easy to appreciate what he and the cast are doing in the film.

The more memorable footage from the flooded mine benefits a great deal from some excellent music themes the late Brian May composed. (May’s credits include such beloved genre films as Mad Max, The Road Warrior, and Turkey Shoot).

The Quest Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Quest arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.

This film was restored in 4K a couple of years ago by Australian label Umbrella Entertainment. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from the same 4K master that Umbrella Entertainment used to produce this release in 2018. (In the land down under the film was distributed under the alternative title Frog Dreaming).

The film looks very healthy and vibrant. During the outdoor footage delineation, clarity, and depth are typically very strong, so if you view your films on a larger screen you will be quite pleased with the quality of the visuals. Density is very good as well, though as I mentioned in our review of the Australian release this is the one area where there is still some room for improvement. Background nuances are nicely exposed, but I am certain that in native 4K there will be more to see and appreciate. In 1080p from time to time some of the blacks can be just a tiny bit thicker than they should be. Colors are stable, healthy, and nicely balanced. There are no traces of problematic digital tinkering. Image stability is good. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Quest Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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

If you have seen our review of the Australian release of The Quest then you probably already know that I really like the lossless 2.0 track. It has a tremendous dynamic amplitude and there is quite a bit of interesting movement (sounds and effects) in the more atmospheric sequences. It is a bit surprising that a 5.1 mix was not created, but I think that the 2.0 is very solid and serves the film really, really well. There are no encoding anomalies to report in our review.

The Quest Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this audio commentary features director Brian Trenchard-Smith, editor Brian Kavanagh, costume designer Aphrodite Kondos, and director Mark Hartley (Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!. The commentary is an outstanding trip down memory lane with plenty of very detailed descriptions addressing different phases of the production process (with some very interesting comments about UAA), the casting choices that were made, the film's special ambience, the marketing campaign and the failed negotiations with Disney, etc. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Umbrella Entertainment's Blu-ray release of The Quest.

• The Depths of a Legend: Looking Back on Frog Dreaming - in this featurette, director Brian Trenchard-Smith visits Henry Thomas at his home in Oregon and the two recall their work on The Quest. The featurette was produced by Umbrella Entertainment. In English, not subtitled. (29 min, 1080p).

• The Go Kids: Looking Back on Frog Dreaming - in this featurette, actors Rachel Friend and Tamsin West recall their initial impressions of Henry Thomas, a hilarious Halloween 'incident', the shooting of The Quest, etc. The featurette was produced by Umbrella Entertainment. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

• The Dream Quest: Shooting Locations Revisited - this program offers before-and-after looks at some of the key locations that are seen in The Quest. The program was produced by Umbrella Entertainment. With music. (6 min, 1080p).

• The Quest: U.S. Opening Title - sourced from a VHS. Music only. (1 min, 480/60i).

• Trailer - original Australian theatrical trailer for The Quest, presented here as Frog Dreaming. Restored. (2 min, 1080p).

The Quest Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Quest made its Blu-ray debut in 2018 after the folks at Australian label Umbrella Entertainment restored it in 4K. This release is sourced from the same 4K master and has all of the then-exclusive bonus features that were produced for the Australian release. The Quest was inspired by The Goonies and E.T., but I think that it has an identity of its own and even some pretty special tricks. It is a classic summer film that you can see with your family, or if still possible a group of friends. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.