After attracting notice with his script for Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976) and Brian De Palma’s Obsession (also 1976), screenwriter Paul Schrader moved behind the camera with his directorial debut – in addition to co-writing the script with his brother Leonard – Blue Collar (1978). He followed that up with Hardcore (1979) and American Gigolo (1980) while also reuniting with Scorsese to co-write the script for Raging Bull (1980); it was after that eclectic lineup that Schrader made his first foray into the horror genre, a remake of the Val Lewton classic Cat People. Scream Factory previously released the film on Blu-ray – through a licensing deal with Universal – which was reviewed by HTF’s own Todd Erwin here but has revisited the movie for its UHD Blu-ray debut.
The Production: 3.5/5
Arriving in New Orleans from Canada, Irena Gallier (Nastassja Kinski) settles into her new surroundings with her brother Paul (Malcolm McDowell). While visiting the New Orleans Zoo, she catches the attention of Oliver (John Heard) – the zoo’s curator – and is offered a job in the zoo’s gift shop. However, Irena’s world is quickly turned upside down as she not only finds herself attracted to Oliver, but also having to fend off her brother’s incestuous advances; the reason for Paul’s advances has to do with their heritage and it will also unleash the animal within Irena…
As part of a slew of remakes of classic horror and sci-fi movies that studios were taking up during the 1980’s, Cat People does more than just simply revisit the original story. Under Paul Schrader’s direction, the film sticks to its psychological horror roots while also incorporating new elements that couldn’t have happened in the original 1942 version due to the vigorous enforcement of the Production Code. Courtesy of Alan Ormsby’s script (with an uncredited assist from Schrader), the film is more explicit in terms of sexuality and gore shown on the screen without being too gratuitous; notably, this version pays tribute to said roots – the original DeWitt Bodeen script – in a few scenes, most notably the stalking of Alice (Annette O’Toole) in the swimming pool is a direct homage to the Val Lewton/Jacques Tourneur classic. However, the film’s biggest plus is the intoxicating atmosphere that’s pervasive throughout the running time; kudos must go to cinematographer John Bailey, composer Giorgio Moroder (who co-wrote the film’s theme song with David Bowie), makeup artist Tom Burman and legendary matte artist Albert Whitlock for establishing the tone that can hold its own with the original. So, while it may not reach the same heights as its original predecessor, this remake of Cat People still offers up some solid visuals while also offering up some new twists to the story that it’s absolutely worth a look.
After rising to international acclaim with her performance as the eponymous Tess (1979), Nastassja Kinski memorably holds her own – compared to Simone Simon’s performance in the original – as Irena; her strong performance was singled out for praise by critics during the film’s initial theatrical run as one of the film’s assets. As Paul, Malcolm McDowell brings a bit of eccentricity to the role of Paul; playing an eccentric madman was nothing new to McDowell, as Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971) will back that up. After attracting notice for what is likely his best performance as the paraplegic Vietnam veteran in Cutter’s Way (1981), John Heard is decent as Oliver, the man who becomes Irena’s love interest; he’s better known as Kevin McCallister’s father Peter in the first two Home Alone movies. Rounding out the cast are Annette O’Toole as Alice, Ruby Dee as the Gallier’s Creole housekeeper, Ed Begley Jr. as an ill-fated zoo worker, Frankie Faison as New Orleans Police Detective Brandt (his voice was dubbed by an uncredited Albert W. Hall), John Larroquette as Bronte Judson, Meshach Taylor as Powell, Berry Berenson as Sandra, Ray Wise as a soap opera actor, an uncredited Stocker Fontelieu as a priest and Lynn Lowry as the prostitute Ruthie whose encounter with the titular beast sets the plot in motion.
Video: 4.5/5
3D Rating: NA
The film is presented in its original 1:85:1 aspect ratio, taken from a brand new 4K transfer from the original camera negative for this release; the film is presented in HDR 10 on the UHD Blu-ray disc while it’s presented in SDR on the Blu-ray disc. Film grain, color palette and fine details appear to be faithfully presented with minimal cases of scratches, dirt, tears or other instances of print damage present here. This release bests all previous home video releases of the movie, including Scream Factory’s previous Blu-ray release.
Audio: 5/5
There are two audio options on both UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs for this release: a 2.0 stereo track and a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Dialogue, sound mix and Giorgio Moroder’s music score are all presented faithfully on both tracks with minimal cases of distortion, flutter, crackling, popping or hissing present on both. Overall, this release is likely the best the film will ever sound on home video.
Special Features: 5/5
On Both UHD and Blu-ray discs
Commentary by director Paul Schrader – Originally recorded for the 2002 Universal DVD, Schrader goes over the making and background of the movie from his perspective (more in depth than the two interviews included on the Blu-ray disc).
On Blu-ray disc only
More Than a Remake (9:13) – Carried over from the 2014 Scream Factory Blu-ray, Schrader explains why his version of Cat People is – as the title of this interview suggests – more than just a reworking of the original Val Lewton classic.
Unleashing the Animal Within (5:56) – Also ported over from the 2014 Scream Factory Blu-ray, Nastassja Kinski shares her memories of working on the movie as well as some her feelings on portraying Irena.
Making Memories (8:25) – Annette O’Toole – who plays Alice – recalls her memories of working on her first feature film in this 2014 interview.
Caging the Animal (6:12) – The late John Heard, in this 2014 interview carried over from the previous Blu-ray release, talks about initially rejecting the movie and some of memories from the New Orleans shoot.
Reconnecting with Cat People (7:34) – Malcolm McDowell, who portrays Paul, talks about some reluctance about appearing naked in the film among other memories in this 2014 interview.
Cat Fight (5:53) – This brief interview from 2014 has Lynn Lowry sharing how she got her brief yet memorable role in the movie.
Composing a Cult Classic (5:32) – Composer Giorgio Moroder talks about how he created the score and working with David Bowie in creating the theme song for the movie in this 2014 interview.
Cat People: An Intimate Portrait (25:23) – In this 2002 interview from the Universal DVD, Schrader looks back on the movie twenty years later; a lot of the information here would be restated in the commentary track as well as the 2014 interview.
On the Set with Paul Schrader (10:21)
Robert Wise on Val Lewton (3:33)
Special Makeup Effects by Tom Burman (11:14) – This featurette from the 2002 DVD has the makeup effects artist talking about his creations for the movie, including Irina’s physical transformation into a cat.
A Look at the Film’s Matte Paintings (3:10) – The matte work of Albert Whitlock is presented here as a comparison of scenes utilizing them from studio footage to final print in this brief featurette from 2002.
Photo Galleries – Still Gallery from the 2014 Blu-ray (100 stills; 10:00) & Production Art (7 stills; 0:35)
Theatrical Trailer (2:19)
TV Spot (0:30)
Note: both the theatrical trailer and TV spot are presented together in the special features section under “Theatrical Trailer”.
Overall: 4.5/5
Garnering a mixed reception from critics and audiences during its initial theatrical release, Paul Schrader’s remake of Cat People brings a provocative style to the previously filmed story that has helped this version become a cult classic. Scream Factory has likely delivered the definitive version of the movie on home video, with a solid HD transfer while carrying over all the special features from both the original Scream Factory Blu-ray and the Universal DVD. Highly recommended and absolutely worth upgrading from both previous DVD and Blu-ray versions.
Mychal has been on the Home Theater Forum’s reviewing staff since 2018, with reviews numbering close to 300. During this time, he has also been working as an assistant manager at The Cotton Patch – his family’s fabric and quilting supplies business in Keizer, Oregon. When not working at reviewing movies or working at the family business, he enjoys exploring the Oregon Coast, playing video games and watching baseball in addition to his expansive collection of movies on DVD, Blu-ray and UHD, totalling over 3,000 movies.
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