Lord of the Flies (1990)
Blu-ray/DVD Company: Olive Films
Starring: Balthazar Getty, Chris Furrh, Danuel Pipoly, James
Badge Dale, Gary Rule, Andrew Taft, Edward Taft, Michael Greene, Bob Peck
Plot: When an aircraft carrying a group of military school
cadets is forced to crash land in an uninhabited Pacific jungle, it is survival
of the fittest, man against nature, and boy against boy as sides are drawn when
the hunters become the hunted.
My Review and Thoughts:
I was so excited when I heard Olive Films was releasing this
film on Blu-ray and DVD. It’s a film that has never gotten the respect it
deserves. I am a huge fan of the book, and the original Black and white movie
by the same name from 1963. I grew up with this 1990’s adaption. A brilliant
and dark journey into the animalistic ideas, aspects of human nature. An island,
a group of kids and the horror of power. This was directed by Harry Hook. A wonderful and often overlooked
director. He has a brilliant eye for showcasing an unfolding torment, or drama
in his pictures. He has not done a whole lot in the cinema world, but the few
he has done, I think stands out, and Lord of the Flies is one of those. Olive
Films has lovingly honored this film on a wonderful Blu-ray, and is also being brought
out on DVD by them. I am reviewing the Blu-ray and the film has not looked any
better. This Blu-ray gives the vibrant colors of the island and nature and amazing new outlet. The cinematography is pure justice with this Blu-ray. The movie as I have stated, has often been overlooked, and so this film
needed a new outlet, a new experience for this modern generation, and Olive
Films has supplied that.
Now I have to confess. I was a bad boy in school when it
came to reading this book. It was one of the books, on our list, that we were to
read as a class assignment in High School. I started reading it, but could not
get into it, because of the way it was written. The style of words, or objects
from a British point of view, confused the hell out of me, so I rented this
film. Yes I am a cheat and a bad boy. I watched this 1990’s version first and
then, I was able to find the original 1963 version. Many years later after High
School, I did read the book and loved it. I have actually read it, 3 times as of this
writing. Yes I did ace my book assignment in High School, even if I was naughty.
This was written for the screen and adapted from the book, by
the wonderful script writer, who has adapted many wonderful films from books, plays and musicals, Jay Presson Allen. She was able to transcend, the already created idea into a
whole new setting, turning the idea into reality, in script form. Her writing
and visionary talent to bring words alive, garnered her with Oscar Nominations
and awards. Jay Presson Allen sadly is no longer with us, but she has left the
cinema world with amazing examples of her written talent. Bringing
story’s into script form, was her mastery. From the 1964 classic, Alfred Hitchcock Marnie, to
the 1972 musical gem, Cabaret. She had such away with telling a story. Many
people don’t realize just how hard it is to turn, an already existing story
into a film. Jay was able to adapt from a book, to a musical, and bring the
films to life. She not only wrote film, she wrote stage plays and also was a
published author. She wrote for TV programs, but it was her ultimate ability to
bring characters to life on the big screen, that she is known for. Her script
writing of the character, that the beautiful and multi-talented actress, Maggie
Smith brought to life in The Prime of Miss Brodie, is a prime example of her
written talent through a character. Maggie Smith, won an Oscar for best actress
because of this role. Jay was a part of such great’s stories, from Death Trap,
Prince of the City, and this one, I am
reviewing, Lord of the Flies. I think it’s important to remember all those who
go into creating and making a film. The behind the camera, is just as important, as it is in front of the camera.
Lord of the Flies has an amazing colorful beauty. The cinematography
is breath taking and has to be honored and enjoyed. The film bleeds, a light
heartedness at first, but then spirals into a darker hell. The filming of each
shot showcases that slow decline of humanity. The visionary work of the director
and of the cinematographer, and all those involved in creating the setup of this story
that spirals into the darkness, should be respected. The whole film is
beautiful, dark and very deep in the mind set of insanity. What happens when
rational thinking no longer matters? What’s happens when power takes hold. What
happens when the lust for control transcends the thinking and embarks on the
doing? Lord of the Flies happens, or simply put, man’s animalistic nature.
I think what ultimately needs to be said about this film is
the wonderful child actors. Many of them had never acted before. Some of them
are still acting today. One of the main stars is an actor that I feel has never
gotten the credit and main stream push that he deserves. I speak of the
wonderful, talented, Balthazar Getty. I feel he is, a much underrated actor
that has shined in many wonderful and thought provoking films. From lower class
B-movies, to high end films, he owns each of his characters. He always stands
out as being a talented master at performance. Lord of the Flies was his first
major feature film. Before Lord of the Flies, he had acted in TV, but Lord of
the Flies is his first, and what a performance to start with. He brings the
character of Ralph into a reality that seems real, and you can feel his pain,
torment, and ultimate fear. Getty has gone on to act in some of my
favorite films, from the very small part in Natural Born Killers, to the much
underrated drama, White Squall, to the visceral nightmarish, David Lynch’s,
dark masterpiece, Lost Highway. Whatever he does, from feature film, to TV
series, I feel a true sense of reality is brought to his characters. He makes
you believe his performances.
Surprising many of those involved with Lord of the Flies no
longer act. Chris Furrh who plays one of the very pivotal characters in Lord of
the Flies, Jack Merridew, the sadistic leader. Chris shockingly no longer acts.
He is on Facebook, and boy, he has a wonderful collection of body tattoos.
Chris, in the part of Jack and along with the character of Ralph, the yin and
yang set up. Ralph was the good, whereas Jack became, the control, the power,
the turning of the crowd, the mob mentality. Both Furrh and Getty played off
each other fantastic. The buddy and ultimate love, hate relationship, came full
force in this dark experience of humanity; turning to the Darwin style animal
that man ultimately is.
One of my favorite characters in this film is the very
lovable, explorer and childlike adventurer, Simon, played by the wonderful
actor James Badge Dale who still acts to today. I have to mention that this was
his very first film and he aced the part with perfection. He has gone on to
star in Television and feature films. He played the wonderful character of
Chase Edmonds in the FOX action series, 24. He has acted in many films of
recently from The Departed, Flight, The Grey, Iron Man 3, World War Z, The Lone
Ranger, Parkland, and, as of this writing, scheduled in many upcoming films.
Dale gave perfect life to the character of Simon. He was very golden in the
role, and made you feel his plight and explorative means and sense of life, freedom, passion.
Each of the characters represent something. Ralph is the
effective leader in the good sense of order, but he is ultimately flawed in the
sense of taking direct action. Jack is the one that wishes to take direct action,
but by means of violence and corruption, and overthrow. Jack is all that is
wrong with society. He is the angry, take action without thought, kill, hunt,
destroy and control by any means. Simply put, it’s my way or the highway, or say hello to my bombs. Piggy
represents the vulnerable parts of society. Piggy to me is the most pivotal
character, because he is the idea of reason, and most logical, but is not taken
serious, and is the butt of jokes and bullying. Piggy represents the true adult
character. He believes in social order. Basically put, Piggy is humanity, or a
moment or idea of civilization on the Island. The character of Roger is in
reality, the worst of the group. He is the one that wants to harm. Once all
notions of civilization are gone, Roger wants to kill, and he ultimately goes
about being the force, the thug style character. He is the one when the rules
of a society is no-longer present, he is the chaos without order. The character
of Simon is everything that is wonderful about life and humanity. He is the
positive and peaceful one. He loves, nature, the Island and its beauty. He is
the nature lover. The one who experiences the wonder of life and how important
it is. Simon is the Jesus Christ character of the story. Simon is truth and
innocence. Simon sees his own future and knows, the ultimate outcome of the
boys and the aftermath of the Island. The idea and character of The Beast is
the notion that society is fearful of the unknown. We throughout the ages have
feared or labeled persons wrongly. The Salem witch trials, the Crusades and so
on. The Beast represents our non-logical thinking in putting ideas of the Devil
and God into the mix of things. The fear inside humankind is a destructive
nature. The Beast becomes a godlike ideology where the kids end up leaving an
offering to it; such as the pig’s head on a stick. Lord of the Flies is that
pig head, the idea of an offering to the Beast, it is the representation of a
godlike supernatural malevolence. Lord of the Flies is translated as Beelzebub,
which is the contemporary name of the DEVIL. Now the movie differs from the book, as you would guess. Many of the
boys are not fleshed out on screen like in the book.
I think what is interesting to note is most all of the other
child actors outside of a few performances in the 90’s no longer act. Charlie
Newmark, who plays the child character of Will, has acted in TV and film, but as
of this writing nothing after 2011. The child character of Tony, played by
Brain Matthews, has acted in minor parts. He has gone on to work behind the
camera, producing many TV series. Most all of the child actors, came on this
movie with no acting performances, and many left with this being there only
acting. I think that is also what gives to the film. The natural style setting
of the kids. The realism of childhood plays out as they progress into the
angry, survival mode.
Now for fans of the book and the 1963 version of the film,
you should not go into this 1990’s version and want to see the book transpire
on film. The 1990 version differs a lot from the book, but I feel it still
captures the point, and also displays it in a more modern setting.
Now the film itself has garnered over the years mixed
reviews. Many try and compare it to the original and pick apart what is wrong
with it. Many have stated, that the book is outdated. You have to go into this
movie with a mindset of psychology, and the reality of human nature. The
concept of animal as man. Humankind, is a dark species. We are, or can be
monsters. I like the story, because it showcases that the human nature will
ultimately conclude into what is savage, or is more rewarding. The character of
Ralph and Piggy, are the sane one’s, who hold out. Jack and his crew, have
become the dominate ones, caveman like superiority. I don’t want to give the movie
away, and I won’t, but after you read it, or watch it, you can see what
ultimately would transpire, if it did not end the way it did. Darwin talked
about survival of the fittest. Darwin was correct. Man will do, what man sees
fit, even if it’s morally wrong.
Audio/Video:
The colors are vibrant. The audio is crisp to the ears. The
movie has never looked any better. The Blu-ray has done the film justice to a new
generation. The audio and video are perfect.
Overall:
Olive Films did a wonderful job in giving this important
film a new outlet. The Blu-ray is perfect in video and audio. This is a fantastic Blu-ray to have as part of your
collection. It’s a film, that is dark and twisted and reality based. Olive Film's
crafted another film, that has been forgotten. Worthy Blu-ray to own, collect and share.
I highly recommend this movie and I highly recommend this Disc.
INFO:
It will be released on April 28th 2015.
Visit Olive Films at www.olivefilms.com
A place to buy extraordinary cinema.
Link for Lord of the Flies Blu-ray: TO BUY From Olive Films
Link for Lord of the Flies DVD: TO BUY From Olive Films
Link to Buy from Amazon
Olive Films Facebook Page