Hot on the heels of John Carpenter’s legendary Halloween getting the 4K Ultra HD treatment, next up is 1980’s The Fog. A classic ghost story that has long been a favourite of many a genre fan, let’s take a look at this new release of a truly beloved picture.
Not to get ahead of ourselves, of course, for we should serve up some plot details for those of you who may not have checked out The Fog over the years. And let’s face it, if you happened to check out the 2005 remake first, chances are that’d be enough to have you steering clear of the original. But we digress, back to the plot. Set in the stunning locale of Antonio Bay, California, this sleep seaside town finds itself paying for its sins just as it’s about to celebrate its centennial year. As a strange fog descends upon the town – bringing bloodshed and terror along with it – we find the paths of local resident Nick (Tom Atkins), hitchhiker Kathy (Jamie Lee Curtis), radio DJ Stevie (Adrienne Barbeau), and Father Malone (Hal Holbrook) intertwining as answers are sought, secrets are unravelled, and terror is around every corner.
With The Fog, John Carpenter continued to see his reputation rise as one of the very best in the game, and it’s a movie that certainly adds plenty to Carpenter’s famed moniker as the Horror Master. Delivered in a brilliantly slow-burning way, the film is dripping in tension and claustrophobic dread as the atmospheric terror comes ever closer to our core group of figures. Performance-wise, everyone involved is note-perfect for what is needed, with this ensemble of genre faves playing their part in making The Fog stand out of a classic of its time and a classic of the genre even to this day.
Of course, chances are you likely already know all of the above. So, the juicy part of this new release of Carpenter’s 1980 effort is the jaw-dropping 4K Ultra HD restoration of The Fog. Antonio Bay has never looked so stunning, with the fog and its ever-expanding threat feeling as crisp and as cutting as a sea breeze; taking your breath away with a fresh bite that makes one feel alive yet uneasy. Simply put, The Fog has never looked better, and the atmospheric tension served up by the iconic Carpenter is perfectly suited to the 4K upgrade – something which cannot be said for certain other classics of yesteryear.
Elsewhere, this new release is bursting at the seams with bonus material. If you’re looking for a truly special release, StudioCanal certainly has you covered here. There’s brand new features – the Retribution documentary a standout on that front – combined with content seen on previous releases of the movie, and the two chat tracks are both absolutely fascinating to listen to. Then, there’s also the film’s soundtrack included as part of the hulking four-disc set – and, like all Carpenter soundtracks, the musical beats of The Fog are masterful. A copy of the new theatrical poster is a welcome addition, as are the artcards and booklet included in a release that is unequivocally a must-have for any John Carpenter fans.
And while we’re got your attention, the 4K restoration of The Fog is screening at cinemas around the country. For full details on when and where The Fog, They Live, Prince of Darkness, and Escape from New York are playing, be sure to head on over to https://www.johncarpenter4k.co.uk/.
Special Features: New ‘Retribution’ making-of documentary / New ‘The Shape of Things to Come: John Carpenter Un-filmed’ featurette / Four featurettes / Audio commentary with John Carpenter and Debra Hill / Audio commentary with Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, and Tommy Lee Wallace / Easter egg / Intro by John Carpenter / Outtakes / Theatrical trailers / TV Spots / Photo gallery / Original soundtrack CD / Five artcards / New theatrical poster / Booklet
THE FOG 4K ULTRA HD / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: JOHN CARPENTER / SCREENPLAY: JOHN CARPENTER, DEBRA HILL / STARRING: ADRIENNE BARBEAU, TOM ATKINS, JAMIE LEE CURTIS, HAL HOLBROOK, JANET LEIGH, JOHN HOUSEMAN / RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 29TH
