A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (4K): An Anniversary Worth Acknowledging

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (4K UHD)

1984 / 91 min

FROM WARNER BROS

#InPartnershipwithWB

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

We’re living in an era when it seems like damn-near any movie that achieved a notable amount of success eventually gets rewarded with an Anniversary Edition. But in this case, it’s an anniversary worth acknowledging…if for no other reason than to make those of us who recall seeing it in theaters feel really, really old.

Historically speaking, A Nightmare on Elm Street isn’t just another ‘80s horror movie. Not only did it put director Wes Craven on the map and make Robert Englund an household name (at least in horror circles), the film established then-fledgling New Line Cinema as a significant player in the movie business. Some might even argue - which a few actually do in one of the bonus features - that if not for Nightmare, New Line wouldn’t have eventually given us the Lord of the Rings films (though I’m not sure I agree with that statement).

But most importantly, it is arguably one of the most influential horror films ever made…certainly of its own decade. With all due respect to the likes of Friday the 13th (despite being released in 1980, it has more of a ‘70s aesthetic), the Nightmare franchise redefined how modern horror looked and sounded. This is especially true of the sequels, with their bigger budgets, slicker production values, more elaborate special effects and, of course, greater emphasis of turning its antagonist, Freddy Krueger, into a wise-cracking personality…practically an anti-hero.

"I sure hope you kept the receipt."

All these years later, though, the original remains the best in the entire series. Granted, some ‘80s trappings date it a bit - some clunky ‘teenage’ dialogue here and there - but the intelligent (for the genre) story, imaginative set-pieces and overall serious tone keep it engaging all these years later. Best of all, this features Freddy Krueger before he became horror’s Henny Youngman…mysterious, malevolent and menacing. A Nightmare on Elm Street may not be Wes Craven’s best film (the underrated Red Eye gets my vote), but it’s easily his most culturally significant. The National Film Registry thought so, too.

So it’s an anniversary worthy of a commemorative physical media release. This new disc features a 4K transfer of both the theatrical and unrated cuts, though the differences are almost negligible. Overall, it’s a very good visual upgrade, but the biggest improvement from previous editions is inclusion of the Dolby Atmos track (in addition to the original mono version). I suppose one could carp over the lack of new bonus material - especially for the anniversary of a landmark movie - but the archival features included are pretty substantial.

EXTRA KIBBLES

THEATRICAL & UNRATED VERSIONS

FEATURETTES - The House That Freddy Built is a look at New Line Cinema’s horror history, primarily its ‘08s output and largely focused on the Elm Street Series; Never Sleep Again: The Making of A Nightmare on Elm Street is an excellent 50-minute retrospective documentary; Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven’s Nightmare features the late director discussing the real life inspiration for the film.

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By writer-director Wes Craven, actors Heather Langenkamp & John Saxon, cinematographer Jacques Haitki. 2) By several members of the cast & crew, as well as historian David Del Valle.

FOCUS POINTS - Various behind-the-scenes segments and alternate takes of scenes.

3 ALTERNATE ENDINGS

DIGITAL COPY