Fans of Wes Craven's original horror classic 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' can now choose between two new laserdisc versions that offer a remastered picture that bests the original theatrical presentations.
Manufactured through Elite (which is quickly becoming a heavy player as far as production and distribution of special edition laserdiscs go), there are two new remastered versions of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' available: a movie-only edition--which does include the original theatrical trailer--and a more expensive, jammed-with-extras "Special Edition."
Both present the film in its 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, but the letterboxing merely hides the top and bottom portions of the squarer "full-frame" image seen on videocassette, making the film appear wider, but adding absolutely nothing to the sides. This faux letterboxing sacrifices "dead information" at the top and bottom of the image, and thus focuses the viewer's attention on the pivotal action taking place mid- screen. The framing is always satisfying and, unlike many films that undergo this variable-masking process, there's never a moment when the cropping seems too tight, or that there's important visual information hidden behind the black borders. The opening sequence has been "windowboxed"--there are black borders on all four sides of the image--to prevent the chopping-off of the names during the credits, a problem that is evident on cassette versions, due to overscanning of the image.
The image quality on both versions is outstanding, especially given the film's low budget and the fact that the movie is dark and full of shadows, with most of the action taking place indoors or at night.
True fans and horror buffs will be delighted at what's been included on Elite's so-called "Special Edition" (but don't be fooled into thinking that "Special Edition" means this is a re-edited, unrated version; "Collector's Edition" would be more appropriate). It's a 2-disc CLV version, and it's been awarded the THX stamp of approval. The image is identical to the movie-only version, but the most immediate improvement is that the digital tracks present the film in newly-remastered stereo surround (the cheaper disc offers the original monaural soundtrack only; purists can choose to listen to the "Special Edition" in monaural by selecting analog track 2). Though many film buffs scoff when a film is remastered for stereo (like early cassette versions of 'Jaws'), the effort here makes a world of difference, with the drippy, echoing sounds of Freddy's boiler-room hideaway and the spine-tingling screeches of Freddy's finger knives creeping up on you from every corner.
An entire CAV disc is devoted to a gargantuan supplementary section. Elite was diligent in their research for 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' materials, and it appears that they not only dug up every tidbit imaginable, they've squeezed them all onto this disc. Among the items presented here for the first time are a series of extended scenes that reveal material cut before the film's release (most were found on a videocassette of a work print, so the image quality is understandably fuzzy); deleted sequences; alternate versions of surviving scenes, including two different alternate endings; make-up and special effects tests and demonstrations; the original theatrical trailer (as wells as trailers for all six of the "Nightmare" sequels); and several TV spots. An entire chapter is devoted to the trouble the film had with the MPAA, and the letters from Wes Craven presented here do not hide the director's disdain for the inconsistencies and illogic of the censor board. Following is a glimpse of the graphic footage Craven was forced to excise so the film could avoid an X rating.
An extensive still-frame section includes a complete reproduction of the shooting script; production photographs; storyboards; posters and reproductions of questionnaires filled-out by people who attended test screenings. Most ironically, a section is devoted to letters from former big-studio executives who refused to have anything to do with the film. The enormous success of "Nightmare" and its sequels exist as a self-satisfying "I told you so!" from Craven to everyone who told him it wouldn't work and would never make money. Another chapter lists Wes Craven's filmography, though it erroneously credits Craven as the director of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 3' and it incorrectly lists that film's release date.
Perhaps the best of the supplementary features on the "Special Edition" is the running audio commentary on analog track 1. Joining the party here are director Wes Craven, actress Heather Langenkamp, actor John Saxon and cinematographer Jacques Haitkin (Robert Englund, who played Freddy Krueger in all of the "Nightmare" films--and will probably be typecast forever--is conspicuously absent here, but he sends his greetings via an essay printed inside the gatefold). Through it all, all four narrators run the gamut of facts and humorous trivial tidbits about the production of "Nightmare"--right down to Langenkamp boisterously pointing out her nude stunt double and Craven recollecting the time when a malfunction during a scene filmed on a rotating set caused several people to be completely drenched with hundreds of gallons of fake blood. Craven and Haitkin also point out the many short cuts they took to create visual effects that would be impressive even in a big-budget movie. It's amazing they were able to do so much with so little.
The audio commentary contains a spooky revelation: Craven based the premise of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' on a true story that appeared in the L.A. Times, about 3 Taiwanese kids who complained to their parents of vicious nightmares, only to die one by one days later. If you thought 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' was terrifying to begin with, this anecdote will scare you sleepless.
VITAL STATISTICS: Movie only version: Elite Entertainment; 2 sides; CLV; Widescreen (1.85:1); Monaural; Chapter Stops; $39.95.
Special Edition: Elite Entertainment; 4 sides; CLV/CAV; Widescreen (1.85:1); Stereo Surround; THX; Chapter Stops; $99.95.
S. Damien Segal.
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