Rabid (Blu-ray)
Anthony Arrigo
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Starring Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver, Howard Ryshpan
Directed by David Cronenberg
Distributed by Scream Factory
Is it just me or does anyone else feel a twinge of embarrassment when you have a favorite director, someone you fervently follow, yet you haven’t watched all of their films? Maybe it’s the OCD in me but if I am passionate about a director’s work then I want to see everything they have made. Who knows what little-seen gems are lurking in their back catalog? David Cronenberg has been one of my top must-see directors for a very long time yet recently, with the arrival of Scream Factory’s glorious new Blu-ray, I was forced to come to the realization that I had not seen Rabid (1977) – this despite owning a copy on DVD for the better part of a decade. Cronenberg is the king of body horror, and his early work is among his most celebrated (because it’s fucking awesome), so I have no legitimate excuse for snoozing on this one. Having now seen the film – in a stunning 2K remaster – that embarrassment is only compounded because, of course, it’s another early achievement in his long career. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that my delayed gratification made the eventual viewing that much sweeter being able to experience old Cronenberg like it was new again. It’s like being a fan of Metallica for twenty years but only now hearing “Ride the Lightning”.
On an otherwise idyllic afternoon, Hart (Frank Moore) and his girlfriend, Rose (Marilyn Chambers), are taking a motorcycle ride through the Canadian countryside when a stalled van causes them to crash in a nearby field. Hart receives minor wounds but Rose, pinned beneath the burning motorcycle, is badly injured. Both are taken to the Keloid Clinic, where Rose undergoes a radical new form of plastic surgery using skin grafts designed to adapt to surrounding tissue. She awakens from her coma a few days later, screaming in the night. Lloyd (Roger Periard), another patient, tries to calm her down but only winds up getting stuck with… something for his troubles. The next day Lloyd sees Dr. Keloid (Howard Ryshpan), who is perplexed to find the wound will not clot and Lloyd’s right side is numb. Dr. Keloid sends him off for further testing.
Rose may have survived the accident, but the surgery done by Dr. Keloid has caused a strange reaction within her body – she now craves and subsists on blood, the procurement of which comes from a red stinger that retracts into her armpit. Her nightly feedings see Rose attack anything with a pulse, man and beast alike. Unbeknownst to Rose is the aftermath of her assaults, with the newly infected persons exhibiting rabies-like behavior and viciously biting anyone nearby. After only a few days Rose has managed to cause a minor epidemic, serious enough for the Canadian authorities to bring in the military and public health officials. The only person who recognizes the one responsible and wants to help is Hart, but he’s having a hard time determining where Rose is since she left the hospital and has been hitchhiking her way to a major metropolitan area.
This was only Cronenberg’s second feature but, just as he displayed with his first, Shivers (1975), his thematic content and style were already firmly in place. Few filmmakers have captured not only the visualization of bodily horrors but the mental toll it takes on the person, too. Rose’s abnormality is an aberration of her person, a grotesque deformity that is both vital and revolting. Rose needs this phallic probe to sustain her life, even though it means she has to “kill” others to satisfy her craving for blood. There is no control over her needs, with her unwelcomed evolution taking the reins. Additionally, being Cronenberg, there is a ton of sexual subtext and Freudian undertones. Hell, at one point a character is holding up a book by Freud and discussing his work. And Rose’s underarm people poker isn’t exactly subtle… Despite the sexual subtext there is nothing sexy about what Rose does to people. Her method of quenching that hunger is disturbing and just plain gross, two things Cronenberg does well.
Credit is due to Marilyn Chambers, former adult actress who used this film as a hopeful springboard to a more mainstream career. Sissy Spacek was originally considered for the lead but she got shot down for a couple of possible reasons, one being her thick Texas accent. Knowing Spacek’s work during this time, and having seen Chambers in her most well known “legit” role, it is clear the producers made the right call. Spacek is too bookish, whereas Chambers just oozes sexuality and confidence. This is important for the character of Rose because she needs to be able to seduce (mostly) men very easily to allow her to feed. Chambers really sells the confusion, disgust, eroticism, and frustration required of the role. This is not Bad Porno 101 acting.
At present there are plans for the Soska Sisters to remake the film, with a possible TV series to follow. Remaking Cronenberg sounds like a fool’s errand – and it generally is – but of all his works I’d say Rabid is one of the few that could potentially benefit from an update. I say “potentially” because it would require a strong filmmaker with a fresh take on the material, giving it some valid reason for existing. I don’t think the Soskas are the right fit for that criterion – maybe they’ll prove me wrong? – but the vision I have in my head of what will likely be delivered can’t hold a candle to the mastered subtlety of Cronenberg. Rabid does feel like it’s spinning its wheels a bit during the second act (when Rose is simply continuing her feedings while important people try to figure this mess out – part of why I agree someone could improve upon the original) but through and through this is classic Cronenberg that all fans of his early works will eat right up.
For this release, Scream Factory commissioned a new 2K scan from the negative at David Cronenberg’s preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1. Right away, it is apparent (even to a first-time viewer) that the 1080p image is newly minted and very clean. There are very few visible signs of damage and dirt, and the overall picture quality is rather impressive for a low-budget feature. That isn’t to say fine details are leaping off the screen, because there are still inherent limitations to the source, but there are many moments when the picture looks pristine. Colors and contrast and all that other fun stuff look just fine; even the film grain is smooth and doesn’t clump up much during darker scenes.
Enjoy all of music supervisor Ivan Reitman’s (yes, the only one) selections with an English DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono track that does little more than get the job done. To be fair, there isn’t a whole lot of score to this picture, with most of the work being done by dialogue. Speaking of which, the sound quality is a little shoddy at times, with some lines coming through a bit muffled. Again, likely a source issue that can’t be fixed. The track is narrow and limited in scope and ambition, though on a purely technical level, yes, it is totally fine and listeners won’t hear any major flaws. Subtitles are available in English.
There are three audio commentary tracks here – director David Cronenberg (always a must-listen); a new track with author Jill Nelson and Chambers’ personal appearance manager Ken Leict; and, film historian William Beard.
“Young and Rabid” – Actress Susan Roman, who plays Rose’s friend Mindy in the film, has quite a lot to say despite her smaller role.
“Interview with Director David Cronenberg” – This looks to have been shot sometime around 2001 or so, with Cronenberg discussing his legacy up to that point.
“Interview with Producer Ivan Reitman” – This is a newer interview, produced for Arrow, featuring the legendary comedy producer discussing his early days with Cronenberg and dealing with the Canadian film business.
“Interview with Co-Producer Don Carmody” – Again, this is a newer piece produced for Arrow, with another one of the film’s producers discussing the making of the film.
“From Stereo to Video” – Be sure to watch this piece that focuses exclusively on Cronenberg’s early days, beginning with his short films and wrapping up around “Videodrome” (1983).
A theatrical trailer, TV spot, radio spots, and a photo gallery are the remaining features found on the disc.
Special Features:
- NEW 2K Scan From The Negative At Director David Cronenberg’s Preferred Aspect Ratio (1.66:1)
- NEW Audio Interview With Author Jill C. Nelson (Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women Of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985) And Marilyn Chambers’ Personal Appearances Manager Ken Leicht)
- NEW Young And Rabid – An Interview With Actress Susan Roman)
- Audio Commentary With Writer/Director David Cronenberg)
- Audio Commentary With William Beard, Author Of The Artist As Monster: The Cinema Of David Cronenberg)
- Archival Interview With David Cronenberg)
- Interview With Executive Producer Ivan Reitman)
- Interview With Co-producer Don Carmody)
- From Stereo To Video – A Video Essay By Caelum Vatnsdal, Author Of They Came From Within: A History Of Canadian Horror Cinema)
- Original Theatrical Trailer And TV Spot)
- Radio Spots (U.S. And U.K.) )
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Rabid
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Special Features
Categorized:Reviews
