The Changeling – 4K Blu review

The Changeling has been described as one of the scariest films ever made and is included in Stephen King’s list of favourite movies . I’m not going to review the film itself, I think it speaks for itself. Instead I’ll give some thoughts on the restoration and the special features of this release.

Oscar®-winning actor George C. Scott (Patton, The Hustler) gives a standout performance as respected New York composer, John Russell, who relocates to Seattle following the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. He hopes for a fresh start, but the new home harbours a terrible secret and nothing can prepare him for the terror he’s about to face…

Scott stars alongside his wife Trish Van Devere (Where’s Poppa?) and double Academy-Award® winner Melvyn Douglas (Being There).

Now more than 40 years after it premiered on the big screen, Peter Medak’s (The Krays) masterwork gets the release it deserves with Second Sight Films’ The Changeling Limited Edition 4K UHD/Blu- ray Box set.

One of the most chilling horrors of all time, the film is presented in a 4K scan and restoration presented in HDR and all three editions come stacked with special features including an audio commentary with the director Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels, interviews and much more.

They will be available on 5 June 2023.

The Limited Edition is presented in a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy and comes with a 108- page book with brand new essays plus an archive interview with Peter Medak, it also includes the original soundtrack CD, please see full details below.

For the ultimate cinematic chiller, experience The Changeling with Second Sight Films’ unmissable, ultimate edition of this seminal classic.

So, how are the special features?

Essentially they are mainly the same as the Severin films release

New 4K scan and restoration presented in HDR

Quite simply the best you’re going to see and hear this movie. Every creak, every bang (you know) and every whispered voice is clear. Both the stereo and 5.1 surround tracks are delightful. If you’ve got a projector to view it with, dig it out. It’ll be as close to seeing this absolute classic at the cinema as you’re going to get.

Audio commentary with director Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels

The 2017 commentary with Peter Medak and Joel B. Michaels along with David Gregory from Severin films. Medak’s Hungarian accent makes this a fun listen. They all go into the usual stuff that these director/producer commentary’s do, discussing such things as George C. Scott having a bad reputation for being difficult. They are often very dry and this is for the most part tows that line. Medak and Michaels stray at times, with Gregory bringing them back in a sort of interview style.

Audio is very clear and they discuss everything that you want from one of these commentaries. Fascinating insight into the making of movies.

Interview with Peter Medak by filmmaker Adrián García Bogliano at Mórbido Fest 2018

This interview is shot with a backdrop of one of the tidiest DVD collections on earth. Both video and audio quality is spot on however Adrián García Bogliano uses a wireless handheld mic, which is much lower than the lavalier mic of Medak. Two cameras are used which means much of the interview is focussed on a nice clear picture of Medak. Peter Medak has had quite the career so as you can imagine they discuss Medak’s work, his early childhood wartime memories and how they effected his filmmaking and other really fascinating and varied subjects around this illustrious career. If you’re watching an interview like this it’s because you would want to hear just these answers to just these questions. It’s really pretty good.

Exile on Curzon St. – Peter Medak on his early years in swinging London

This is great, like a mini documentary. Lovely archive imagery is interspersed with the really well shot interview. The audio is great, very clear. Hearing about his Angel Lane meeting with the Krays is rather interesting… Really fascinating look at London in the 1960’s through the eyes of Medak.

The House on Cheesman Park – The Haunting True Story of The Changeling

A Severin Films and Denver film society presentation documentary featuring the wildest Cowboy Boot shirt you’re ever likely to see. He’s a very excitable man who you can’t help but go along with for the ride. Interesting story, do you believe it?

The Music of The Changeling – an interview with music arranger Kenneth Wannberg

The music of The Changeling is one of its main characters so seeing it played by Wannberg and hearing him speak about it, as well as other things, really rounds off these great special features.

Building the House Of Horror – an interview with art director Reuben Freed

Absolutely fascinating. I didn’t have a clue this was all a set built on a sound stage. These guys are wizards, WIZARDS I TELL YOU!

The Psychotronic Tourist

The Psychotronic Tourist revist film locations. Kier-La Janisse is our host here and she’s really good. Speaks quite quickly, which isn’t a bad thing here.

If you’re interested in visiting locations yourself, this will be right up your alley. For me, it’s a bit meh

Master of horror Mick Garris on The Changeling

If you like horror films, then you could listen to Mick Garris talk about it all day long. No difference here, his enthusiasm and knowledge are clear to see. It’s a shame it’s just far too short.

Limited Edition Contents:

Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy
108-page book with new essays by Martyn Conterio, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Rich Johnson, Mikel J Koven, Meagan Navarro, Rachel Reeves, Shelagh Rowan-Legg and Heather Wixson plus archive interview with Peter Medak
Original Soundtrack CD
Five collectors’ art cards

If you’ve never seen the Changeling do yourself a favour and pick up this release.

If however you have seen the Changeling, do yourself a favour and pick up this release.

I’m not sure what the difference in scan is between the Severin and Second Sight releases tbh and this shares special features with that so if you have that already then, unless you are going for the LE release I don’t think you’ll be getting much different here.