SYNOPSIS
The sleepy seaside village of Antonio Bay is about to learn the true meaning of the word “vengeance.” For this seemingly perfect town masks a guilty secret - a past steeped in greed and murder. Exactly 100 years ago, a ship was horribly wrecked under mysterious circumstances in a thick, eerie fog. Now, shrouded in darkness, the long-dead mariners have returned from their watery grave to exact a bloody revenge. Can this waking nightmare be stopped, or will the fog keep rolling in... to kill and kill again?
CRITIQUE
Antonio Bay has a dark history. This idyllic seaside town is built on murder and lies. “The celebration tonight is a travesty,” says Father Malone (Hal Holbrook), the one who discovers the truth. When the fog starts to roll in, the spookiest things start to happen for seemingly no reason. Malone is in the basement of the church, and a stone is knocked out of the wall, revealing a hidden compartment containing the diary of a 19th century priest. Malone quickly learns the painful truth.
The Fog is a great horror film, full of classic icons of the genre: a hook, ghosts, and, of course, fog. The film even opens with a round of campfire ghost stories. A debt is owed, as even Carpenter has admitted, to the EC Comics of the 1950s, and the horror icons continue throughout the film. Carpenter, in his follow up to Halloween, has created a film of incredible form. If Halloween showed that he was ready to reinvent the genre, The Fog showed that he had mastered the fundamentals.
The suspense engine in this film keeps the tension high throughout. Early in the film we see the fog and what it brings, and then we wait. What came before was just a hint, and what is looming is even more dangerous, and the people of Antonio Bay do not even see it coming.
The Fog is not only a great ghost story, but it also becomes something of an allegory for America. Released only a few years after our nation’s bicentennial, Carpenter’s sophomore effort reminds one of the not-so-sunny layers lurking under the veneer of baseball and apple pie. That theme, of dark truths suddenly, tragically exposed, is even more relevant in light of some recent events.
Or we can watch this as just a movie, which is probably for the best. This new release comes just in time not only for Halloween, but also for the remake, due out October 14. If you’re like me, though, you’re sick of all these pointless, superficial remakes, and just want to enjoy the original. The audio-visual presentation on this DVD is superb, and the film holds up incredibly well. Get it… before it gets you!!
THE VIDEO
The Fog is presented in the original 2.35:1 shooting ratio, and the transfer is pristine. From the town bluffs to the fog itself, all colors come through sharply, especially the black and white levels. The Fog looks better than it ever has before.
THE AUDIO
This DVD is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, and there is also a French mono track. The audio presentation is excellent. All channels are crisp, and the soundtrack is expertly rendered.
THE EXTRAS
Audio Commentary With Director John Carpenter and Producer Debra Hill: The two partners (one of whom, Debra Hill, passed away earlier this year), who also cowrote the film, go into detail about the origins of the film, the cast, where and how it was shot, and other pearls. This track is interesting, but it is also conversational and fun.
Tales From the Mist - Inside The Fog: A new documentary made exclusively for this DVD. Carpenter, Hill, and others talk about the origins of the film, the casting, shooting, and takes a retrospective look at the film all these years later. (27:56)
Fear On Film - Inside The Fog: A documentary from 1980, this is in the format of a talk show. Carpenter, Hill, and the actors talk about how their roles in making the film. Clips are interspersed throughout. (7:41)
Outtakes: Short clips of the cast and crew between takes. (4:07)
Storyboard to Film Comparison: Storyboards from the first big death scene, shown next to the final scene. (1:24)
Advertising Gallery: This section contains the original theatrical trailer and two teasers, three TV spots, a gallery of poster art, and a look at memorabilia.
Photo Gallery: Publicity and behind-the-scenes shots.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Fog is a great horror film and a classic ghost story. The direction is tight, and the suspense is maintained throughout the entire film. Carpenter’s follow-up to Halloween holds up just as well as his breakthrough film. This is a fun, fun movie.
