S Poddar
Warner Bros. will unleash in October the cult 1986 film *The Hitcher, which offers up on unforgettable performance by Rutger Hauer, giving fans of the film especially those who have been waiting for so long for this film to finally arrive on high definition.
For those in the dark, The Hitcher has had a long and winding road to Region 1 Blu-ray. That is not exactly improved by the fact that a title of this caliber hasn’t appeared in said format before. With this release on its way, fans are sure to be green with excitement and probably well consider pre-ordering it. The Digital Bits says the film is available on October 22nd.
In this taut tale of psychological terror directed by Robert Harmon, we follow the plight of Jim Halsey as played by C. Thomas Howell. Jim stops to pick up a hitchhiker while driving, and lets the outside world into his life. The hitcher, played beautifully by Rutger Hauer, is a relentless evil force bent on wrecking the lives of those who opened the door into his world. Although cold-shouldered at the time of its release, this film has managed to create a dedicated fan base that will eventually be listed down the line as one of the greatest 1980s thrillers.
While the new edition in 4K Blu-ray is exciting, fans will be disappointed by the minimal number of special features attached to this release. Extras include an audio commentary with director Robert Harmon and writer Eric Red, a video interview with Harmon, and the original theatrical trailer. If you want more extras, Second Sight has announced their own set, due for release on September 30th and promising features as well as a 200-page book and a copy of the screenplay. Just reading between the lines, one gets the impression that Warner Bros. would be behind in this regard; however, its copy also comes with the original artwork—a potent addition for fans keen on the film’s history.
Though the extras count is lower, this iteration will still feature the 4K scan of the camera negative that the buffs relied upon. Harmon himself was stunned at the quality of the restoration, as he went on to say, “Stunned by how great it looks… beautiful work!! Really, this movie has no business looking this good considering how ancient the elements are.” Such praise will surely make a film with such an experience look top-notch and breathe new life into this old horror film.
The Hitcher is one that has marked the collective consciousness of horror fans through the ages, and again for me, a must-have for any serious collection. Rutger Hauer’s portrayal as the enigmatic and terrifying hitchhiker that strikes fear into every fiber of your being stands out as one of the most tremendous performances in horror cinema. His ability to make you feel each scene in fear and tension has cemented his character as an icon not easily forgotten within the genre.
As the date for its release draws closer, fans can only feel that excitement. That could be a wonderful time for those of them that still remember seeing it first. That would be a fine time to share experiences and reflections. Whether it is the simple horror of Hauer’s character or the nail-biting suspense that unfold on the road, The Hitcher comes with the power of etching its way into the viewers’ memories.
Will you buy this 4K version of The Hitcher, or are you going to let it collect dust on shelves? What will be etched in your memory when watching it for the first time? This film still resonates and provokes a reaction. It would be interesting to see how the newcomers and true fans received the sequel release.
