Michael Scott
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Willard
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
Movie
I feel like that old man who grumbles at “those young punks” when I have to mention to a group of my horror fanatic friends that the Willard with Crisin Glover is NOT the original film with that title. In fact, there was one many many years prior, and even a sequel named Ben (which I will be reviewing shortly) that started the creepy idea of having a man controlling a horde of insatiable rats. Going back and watching this movie after at LEAST a decade and half of abstinence has me realizing that the 1971 Willard may not have aged as well as I thought it had. Bruce Davison will forever BE Willard in my mind, and he does a fantastic job, but the curious 1970s habit of using “Disneyish” music (including a Disney cast member as his mother) leaves it feeling less horrific, and more an oddity than anything in the horror genre. I still like the movie for what it is, and had a blast chewing my way through the cheese, but fans may be the one to appreciate this offering more than the newcomer.
Willard (Bruce Davison) is a mousy little milk sop of a man who has been beaten down and belittled most of his life. His family started a giant manufacturing company, but after his father died, his partner Al Martin (Ernest Borgnine) stole the company from Willard and his mother Henrietta (Elsa Lanchester, most memorably known as The Nanny who quits at the beginning of Mary Poppins) leaving Willard as a lackey. Al pretty much stomps over everyone in the company, but with Willard’s mild manners he steamrolls the poor boy like no other. It doesn’t help anything when Willard comes home to a manipulative mother who puts excessive guilt trips to try and get her “baby boy” to do what she feels he needs to be done. The poor boy’s only outlet seems to be in a little rat that he finds down in the basement of the house. A rat that he saves from extermination.
Soon the boy finds out that this rat (whom he calls ben) is incredibly smart and seems to be able to read his mind. Anything Willard commands, Ben is able to carry out with pinpoint precision. Sooner rather than later, Willard gets sick and tired of being kicked around and decides to send his little rat minion, and all of the rest of the rats at Ben’s command, to terrorize those who have abused and belittled him for so many years. Only thing is, when you unleash the beast, sometimes it’s a little hard to control and Willard finds out just how much control he has over the rats in the twisted conclusion.
Willard is really the only character that you actually sympathize with in the entire film. Even though he’s supposed to be the main villain of the series, you actually root for his cause and wish the destruction that falls upon his persecutors. Even at the very end you feel sorry for the poor guy and wish his end had ended better for him considering his motivations. Bruce Davison does a magnificent job at giving Willard a mix of awkward embarrassment as well as a likeable spirit that actually blooms into something more magnanimous and admirable by the end. The rest of the cast (except for the young lady Joan, played by Sondra Locke) is purely despicable and truly deserving of their fate. Especially Ernest Borgnine’s character who chews up the scenery as the over the top mean boss Al Martin. He and Davison light up the screen whenever they’re in view (for completely opposite reasons) and act as the center point for the whole film.
I like the idea of Willard and hate to say that I actually LIKE the 2003 film starring Crispin Glover. It gets the menacing part down to a T (even though it’s hilariously bad), but still is nothing that special. The 1971 version of Willard is a strange film. It’s never really truly scary, but more of a look inside of a troubled mind and the punishment that comes from his turn to the dark side. There’s a light-hearted humor to it that seems at odds with the twisted storytelling, partially due to the use of the fluffy 70s music that feels more like a family film even though it’s got rats chewing through flesh! I won’t say that it’s a masterpiece of horror, but a nostalgic look back at an odd attempt of soul searching.
Rating: Not Rated by the MPAA
Video:
I am actually REALLY impressed with the 4K restoration done for Willard thanks to Scream Factory. I’ve watched the movie a couple of times over the years on VHS and DVD, but the Blu-ray is simply marvelous to behold. The original negative appears to have been in great shape (or there was some extensive fiddling done to it) since there is almost no print damage and speckles or flecks are almost nonexistent on the pristine looking master. Colors are warm and inviting, with the soft oranges and yellows of the 1970s, mixed with a very natural looking grading to the skin tones. Contrast is well balanced and I can’t seem to find ANY faults with the dark levels. There’s some mild softness due to the shooting style, but I can’t seem to find any artifacting at all and the end result is a very VERY nice looking image that does the film every bit of justice and then some. Fine detail is exquisite, as you can see every piece of fur and twitching pink noses of the rates, and the glistening of Willard’s new car shines in the sun with impeccable detail. Simply put, an incredible looking restoration and encode from Scream Factory.
Audio:
The film has come with a traditionalist 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mono track that seems to have really been well cared for. Mono tracks are a tricky thing considering how spacious we have gotten with 5.1, 7.0 and now full interactive Atmos and DTS:X tracks, but the simple Mono track is free of any discrepancies and is incredibly clear and spacious for just utilizing 2 channels. The squeaks of Ben and his minions are impeccably rendered and the vocals have no sounds of wavering issues or any other abnormalities. It’s simple, but very precise and clean considering the age and budget of the movie.
Extras:
• NEW 4K scan of the original camera negative (DTS Master Mono)
• NEW audio commentary with actor Bruce Davison
• NEW interview with actor Bruce Davison
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Original TV Spot
• Original Radio Spots
• Still Gallery
Final Score:
Willard 1971 is a bit of an odd film, and seems less “horrific” than it did 46 years ago. There’s almost a Disney like vibe that comes from the family friendly score that lilts along, and I had more than a few chuckles at Bruce Davison’s awkward character of Willard. I’m not saying it’s any worse than the 2000’s era Willard with our favorite creepy thin man, but the aging of the film is not as kind as some others I have seen. Still, it’s a deliciously twisted flick that feels like it’s more at home among the 60s than the 70s (besides the awful carpet and colors that was the bane of the 70s) and is fantastically presented on Blu-ray with a restored video encode and a great 2.0 Mono track for fans to enjoy. Add in the DVD edition to make it a combo pack and some new extras and it’s a very well rounded collector’s edition (my only fan niggle is that this and the sequel Ben didn’t come with a slipcover, but that’s just me being a collector’s snob right there). Very impressive package from Scream Factory and a must get for fans.
Technical Specifications:
Starring: Bruce Davison, Elsa Lanchester, Sondra Locke
Directed by: Daniel Mann
Written by: Gilbert Ralston (Screenplay), Stephen Gilbert (Book)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 AVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono
Studio: Scream Factory
Rated: NR
Runtime: 95 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: May 16th, 2017
Recommendation: Must Get for Fans
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