The Day of the Locust (1975) Blu-ray Review

Every actor and actress dreams of being a star on the Silver Screen. Being immortalized on film for generations to view! But for every Hollywood star there are hundreds of summer stock players and stage actors that have never made it to the big time.

Well, in 1975 Academy Award-winner John Schlesinger (Marathon Man) reunited with Midnight Cowboy screenwriter Waldo Salt (Coming Home), and brought Nathanael West’s acid satire of Hollywood decadence and broken dreams to the silver screen. 

Now for the 48th anniversary of the films theatrical release Arrow Video is releasing this film on Blu-ray featuring a 4K restoration.

Painter Tod Hackett (William Atherton, Looking For Mr. Goodbar), working in the art department of a movie studio during the 1930s ‘golden age’ of Hollywood, falls in unrequited love with aspiring starlet Faye Greener (Karen Black, Five Easy Pieces). He competes for her affections against other men: a pair of cowboys (Bo Hopkins, American Graffiti and Pepe Serna, Scarface), and a forlorn accountant (Donald Sutherland, Invasion of the Body Snatchers). As Faye’s career fails to take her beyond roles as an extra, her life becomes increasingly desperate and her relationships with men take a darker turn, reaching fever pitch at a red-carpet movie premiere that explodes into barbaric chaos.

The Day of the Locust is a pull no punches film. The acting is amazing to say the least. The film features the acting talents of William Atherton (The Sugarland Express), Karen Black (Easy Rider) and Donald Sutherland (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) just to name a few. Karen Black really shines in this film. Also I think it is interesting that Donald Sutherland's character is Honer Simpson. This was long before the classic animated series The Simpsons came to the air. 

The story adaption and is very well done. It is a dramatic and at times terrifying tale. However it is good to note there is a lot of adult material in this film. There is sexual content and profanity including some racial slurs. So, this is by no means a film for everyone. But it is a somewhat forgotten piece of cinema, and it does deserve a chance to live on in HD.

Arrow Video has restored The Day of the Locust featuring a brand new 2K remaster by from the original negative. The film has been transferred in 1080p. It is presented in widescreen format in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The audio options are for the original restored lossless mono audio and the restored lossless 5.1 and 2.0 stereo audio options. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on all films. 

The Day of the Locust received an Australian Blu-ray release a few years ago. Now I am no way disparaging that release. But this one Arrow Video is a clearly an upgrade. The picture quality is crisp and the colors bright. Finally there is just the right amount of film grain. The best part of this Blu-ray is the previous release is a 1.78:1 aspect ratio where this on is a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. That is great! 

Now as we all know by now Arrow Video always adds very cool bonus feature to their Blu-ray releases, and The Day of the Locust is no different! Take a look at what is included in this Blu-ray!

* Brand new oral history audio commentary conducted by writer and film historian Lee Gambin, featuring assistant directors Leslie Asplund and Charles Ziarko, production associate Michael Childers, actors Grainger Hines and Pepe Serna, title designer Dan Perri, costume designer Ann Roth, assistant editor Alan L. Shefland and assistant camera operator Ron Vidor

* Welcome to West Hollywood – brand new appreciation of the film by critic Glenn Kenny

* Days of the Golden Age – costume historian and film historian Elissa Rose discusses the film’s costumes in this brand new visual essay

* Jeepers Creepers, Where’d You Get Those Peepers? – brand new visual essay on the film and its themes by writer and film historian Lee Gambin

* Image galleries, including exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs from the archives of production associate Michael Childers and assistant camera operator Ron Vidor

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Colin Murdoch

* Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Pamela Hutchinson

Now a gorgeous looking 2K restoration of this film would be enough of an upgrade to call this a must own. But with an insightful audio commentary, featurettes and more. This is a release that is a must for film fans.

If you love films about the Golden Age of Hollywood The Day of the Locust is a film for you. And if you want the best-looking quality with great bonus features this Blu-ray is for you. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today!


Out of 4 Film Reels (4 being the best) Arrow Video's Blu-ray of The Day of the Locust receives...