Disc Reviews

Carrie 4K Blu-ray Review

• 9th Jan 2024

If you ever want to trace a pivotal turning point in the success of Stephen King’s career then the theatrical adaptation of Carrie is sure to help cement the argument. Carrie was a hit for director Brian De Palma, for the studio and certainly for King becoming a known brand – and obviously aided in future film adaptations of his work to come to fruition. 

Carrie is also still one of the best adaptations as it follows closely enough to the story, but also brought us Brian De Palma’s own coming of age as a film maker.  We saw flashes of this style in Sisters and Phantom of the Paradise previously, but Carrie came along and really knocked it out of the park for him – and all the while his best mates were making the likes of Jaws and Star Wars.

Sissy Spacek shines as the titular teen living with her abusive single mother (Piper Laurie). Carrie doesn’t fit in with the regular teens, her home life is one full of torment, she is coming of age and on top of it all she also seems to be developing psychic powers. The ability to move objects with her mind comes in bouts usually brought on by emotional stress. Surely then with tormentors left, right and centre this can only lead to sudden and bloody catastrophe?

The film is well played by all involved and deserves its place as an icon of horror cinema, to say anymore would seemingly spoil things.

The picture is at it’s absolute best with this 4K restoration taken from the original camera negative.

Looking at the extras – this is about as in depth as it’s gonna get.  There is a very chatty commentary by Lee Gambin and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (both authors of books on horror cinema).

There is various making of material filled with talking heads. The more in depth “Acting Carrie” features most of the main players and crew from back in 2001.  Despite being an extra feature that is now over 20 years old, it still has all you need. There is a more up to date catch up with plenty of the cast from 2016 called “More Acting Carrie.”

There is then a slew of singular interviews with key members of the crew:

Visualising Carrie is a 2001 in depth look at the origins of the film lasting over 40 mins.

Singing Carrie is an archive featurette on the stage musical adaptation of King’s novel

Writing Carrie – a 30-minute interview from 2016 with writer Lawrence D. Cohen

Shooting Carrie – a 15-minute interview from 2016 with cinematographer Mario Tosi

Cutting Carrie – a 25-minute interview from 2016 with editor Paul Hirsch

Casting Carrie – a 16-minute interview from 2016 with casting director Harriet B. Helberg

Bucket of Blood – a 24-minute interview from 2016 with composer Pino Donaggio (subtitled)

A fun extra comes in the form of Comparing Carrie – a 20-minute visual essay comparing three versions and adaptations of Carrie across the years.

There is also Horror’s Hallowed Grounds – a look back at the locations of Carrie.

And beyond this you get the expected addition of galleries featuring stills and trailers.

This comes in limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork by Laz Marquez. And inside you will find a limited edition 40-page perfect bound book featuring writing on the film by Neil Mitchell, author of Devil’s Advocates: Carrie, a reprint of the Final Girls’ 40th anniversary Carriezine, and an archive interview with Brian De Palma.

There is also a fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and new artwork by Laz Marquez and Six double-sided collector’s postcards.

This release is really to make the most of the 4K update. There are no new extras added to speak of from the current year really, largely because they have already been made and are added on the disc. So don’t let the lack of actually recent extras put you off – The archival material does the job needed and they are included here. The film still does the job very well, and the visual update looks stunning. If you are updating your collection to 4K then get Carrie on your list.

Carrie 4K UDH is released in the UK on Jan 22nd from Arrow Video.

https://www.arrowfilms.com/carrie-limited-edition-4k-uhd/14976088.html

Steven Hurst