‘Swamp Thing’ Shouldn’t Look This Good [4K Review]
The idea of Swamp Thing sounds great on paper— and it was when the character got introduced in the 1970s comic books. But watching Wes Craven’s 1982 feature is a harsh reminder the technology (and budget) to successfully realize creator Len Wein’s vision was not yet available. As you can hear in the interviews featured on this disc, Craven’s funding was significantly slashed, leading to countless compromises on set. Worst of all, Swamp Thing, the main draw here, looks like a giant rubber turd.
I know we videophiles want every title in the best possible quality but the acuity of 4K is unforgiving and does this film no favors. Poor stuntman Dick Durock, who plays the character, can barely move his neck and all other mobility is clearly hampered. The look of Swamp Thing is bad enough, but the film is also mostly a bore. Adrienne Barbeau remains the one bright spot because she plays her role with conviction and is capable as a brain and a bit of a badass; her, and Ray Wise as the ingenious scientist whose latest creation is about to turn him into the title character.
Deep in the swamp a team of scientists, led by Dr. Alex Holland (Ray Wise), is conducting research on a top-secret project. When one of their own is mysteriously killed the government sends in Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) as a replacement. Soon after her arrival the lab is attacked by the nefarious Anton Arcane (Richard Jordan), who is after a serum Dr. Holland has developed that has powerful properties.
Alex is gravely wounded in the skirmish and dives headlong into the swamp to escape. Alice, too, escapes though she is caught by Arcane’s men the next day. But then a mysterious creature lays waste to the soldiers, allowing her to go back on the run. She has with her a notebook containing the last chapter of Dr. Holland’s work, something Arcane very much wants, leaving Alice to team up with Swamp Thing if she wants to get out of there alive.
This is a movie I watch infrequently and each new viewing reminds me why. I love Craven. I love what he can do with a tight budget. And I love the actors he uses. But this is one of those blights in his filmography that no amount of wistful nostalgia can overcome; it simply isn’t good. Shame, too, because he has so many of the right elements in place but this never gels into a satisfying experience. The tone is inconsistent, with humor that feels out of place, mostly in the scenes between Alice and a kid working at a gas station, Jude (Reggie Batts)—who, ironically enough, is one of the better characters and mildly amusing but his jokes make the film a bit too campy.
Later incarnations of Swamp Thing look better than this first attempt, giving viewers a reason to dive into the sequel, The Return of Swamp Thing (1989), or the TV series (1990-1993). There was also an animated series, and another recent live-action series that was well received. Apparently James Mangold has been tapped to direct a new film version that will be one of the first in James Gunn’s semi-rebooted DCU. So there’s clearly a great love for our algae-coated hero—he just got off to a rough start.
Both the theatrical and international versions of the film are included here, the latter for the first time in HD. The main difference between the two is nudity; specifically, going topless are a couple women in the beginning and Adrienne Barbeau when she takes a swamp bath.
Swamp Thing received a Blu-ray release ages ago from Scream Factory so it should come as no surprise this 4K/Blu-ray combo release from MVD Visual blows it away. A new 2023 16-bit scan of the original camera negative was commissioned for this release. This isn’t a beautiful movie but the increased resolution of 4K and the Dolby Vision/HDR color grading do plenty to maximize definition and add some earthy tones and texture to the 1.85:1 2160p picture.
The swamp, which is located in South Carolina, with all of its greenery and tiny pops of color, is nicely shot. Film grain is still a bit thick and that was always going to be the case. There are a number of optical effects shots and those look rough as you’d expect. Still, most of the picture takes place outdoors, in the sunlight, and that allows the disc to yield plenty of solid details in faces and locations.
Audio is hardly changed with an English DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono track that does the job. Harry Manfredini scores the film and it sounds like he dusted off a bunch of rejected Friday the 13th cues and called it a day. Plenty of composers have a signature sound but much as I love Manfredini’s work on Jason’s series I gotta say he totally phones in this score. Subtitles are available in English.
The 4K disc contains only the two cuts of the film and two audio commentaries—one, with writer/director Wes Craven moderated by Sean Clark; two, with make-up effects artist William Munns moderated by Michael Felsher.
On the Blu-ray you can also find:
“Tales from the Swamp with Actress Adrienne Barbeau” (HD, 16:09), if you’re going to watch anything on this disc watch this, because Barbeau has a ton of great stories and she’s great at telling them.
“Hey Jude with Actor Reggie Batts” (HD, 14:43), cool to catch up with Batts all these years later; he has plenty of kind words to say about the film.
“That Swamp Thing with Len Wein, Creator of Swamp Thing” (HD, 13:20), delves into Wein’s beginnings in the comic book world and his most famous creation.
“Swamp Screen: Designing DC’s Main Monster” (HD, 20:34), production designer Robb Wilson King discusses the look of Swamp Thing and his environment.
“From Krug to Comics: How the Mainstream Shaped a Radical Genre Voice” (HD, 17:36), features critic Kim Newman.
A theatrical trailer (HD, 1:31) and a handful of photo galleries complete the bonus features.
Special Features:
DISC ONE – 4K BLU-RAY
- EXCLUSIVE NEW 16-BIT 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (2023) of both the US Theatrical PG Version and Unrated International Version of the film
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, Spanish Mono
- Optional English Subtitles
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Wes Craven moderated by Sean Clark (Theatrical / PG Version)
- Audio Commentary with Makeup Effects Artist William Munn moderated by Michael Felsher (Theatrical / PG Version)
- Collectible “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster of cover art
- Limited Edition “4K Laservision” Slipcover (First Pressing Only)
DISC TWO – BLU-RAY
- EXCLUSIVE NEW 16-BIT 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE (2023) (2023) of both the US Theatrical PG Version and Unrated International Version of the film
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Wes Craven moderated by Sean Clark (Theatrical / PG Version)
- Audio Commentary with Makeup Effects Artist William Munn moderated by Michael Felsher (Theatrical / PG Version)
- DTS-HD Audio 2.0 Mono, Spanish Mono Audio
- Optional English Subtitles
- “Tales From the Swamp” (Remastered) with Actress Adrienne Barbeau (HD, 16:56)
- “Hey Jude” with Actor Reggie Batts (HD, 14:30)
- “That Swamp Thing” with Len Wein, Creator of Swamp Thing (HD, 13:19)
- “Swamp Screen: Designing DC’s Main Monster” featurette (HD, 20:32)
- “From Krug to Comics: How the Mainstream Shaped a Radical Genre Voice” featurette (HD, 17:34)
- Posters & Lobby Cards – Photo Gallery
- Photos from the Film – Photo Gallery
- William Munns’ Behind the Scenes Pictures – Photo Gallery
- Behind the Scenes Photos by Geoffrey Rayle – Photo Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:31)
- REGION-A “LOCKED”
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Swamp Thing
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Special Features
Summary
Although the film may not be much good this 4K release from MVD Visual certainly is, with top notch a/v quality, a host of returning and new extras, and attractive packaging for this inaugural LaserVision Collection. Fans of the film and Craven’s would do well to upgrading their existing copy.
