Eraserhead

I've always wanted to see this film mostly due to its notoriety, but had forgotten about it completely when I started to lose interest in DVDs. A short while ago I got back into that DVD mood and went online searching for Eraserhead. I found that you can order an official and remastered version from www.davidlynch.com but the cost was somewhat prohibitive especially considering I had no idea if I would even like the film.

So, a few Ebay searches later, I purchased a region 0 version for around $12. I expected the worst in terms of quality but figured I should at least be able to see what was going on!

The first shock I experienced when I watched the DVD was that it was in widescreen! I expected a cheap transfer from a full frame VHS but was pleasantly suprised to see otherwise! Judging but the Japanese subtitles (that cannot be turned off), I think this is a transfer from the Japanese laserdisc.

Quality is fair. The sound is good enough so that you can tell what's being said (though there were times when I had trouble hearing the actors and had to rely on the subtitles). The video quality gets the job done but is washed out, blurry, and the contrast is terrible with smoky gray shadows and pale whites.

Still, much better than I expected, and it's certainly worth the price.

As for the film...

It's a difficult film and I don't think I would go so far as to say I "enjoyed" it. However, it was a great film and I'm happy that I finally was able to see it. It's the kind of movie to watch over and over to see things you missed before and try to figure out what Lynch meant with this scene or that line of dialogue. Lynch works expertly with the low budget by restraining himself, working within his limits, and focusing on the characters and a few set pieces.

The acting is fine all around, with Jack Nance nailing his performance perfectly. Watching the movie does give you the slightly creepy feeling that you are watching someone else's nightmare unfolding; Nance plays the part perfectly of a man, Henry, in the midst of a terrible nightmare... he seems like he realizes that he doesn't quite fit in... that the things that are happening to him are ridiculous and bizarre and couldn't possibly be happening. But he accepts them and deals with them until the nightmare stops.

The absolute best scenes, in my opinion, are the scenes that directly show his acceptance of the nightmare. My favorite scene is the movie is a quiet scene where Henry is tries to leave his apartment but can't due to his child crying. He walks over the the mutant baby, looks at it with a look of pity and love, sits next to it, and pets its head. It's a touching scene.

As for the movie being on "Top N Disturbing Films" lists... I don't see it. It's not that disturbing, though the final scene with the baby is a little out there. I expected to have nightmares after seeing the movie, but now that I have seen it, it's not like that at all.

A great movie, and certainly worth picking up. I intend to ask for the official David Lynch version for Christmas from my wife.

the copy from Davidlynch.com is gorgeous...he went frame by frame and cleaned every single speck of dirt off the negative.

I've heard about that... I'm very interested in getting the official version soon. As I said, I may ask for it as a Christmas present. I'm also interested in seeing the bonus footage of David Lynch talking about making the movie.

it literally just him talking in front of a microphone with bit of on set beta footage shown here and there...

...oh yeah and Catherine Coulson speaks via speakerphone.

You've got to hand it to Mel Brooks for not writing off Lynch as a wack-job when he first saw this... You know, most producers would dismiss such an uncommercial and unaccessible film as being too "weird" and too "out there" to entrust it's maker to helm a major motion picture but Brooks saw behind all that, recognized Lynch's genius, and eventually chose him as the director of THE ELEPHANT MAN.

I have been wanting to see this movie for a long time and had no idea it was out on a nice anamorphic dvd. The price is kind of high but I think I might just get it. Here's a review I found for it http://www.lynchnet.com/eraserhead/dvdreview.html

This is indeed a really interesting film, but I still haven't had it totally click with me. There is a great essay here that really helped me out with some of the symbolism.

I have this one on my wish list, not too high though as i've been into a lot of Giallo's, in addition to the weekly releases I try to stay current with. I saw this years ago on VHS and really liked it. One day soon, though...

Eraserhead is an amazing debut from an amazing filmmaker. The R1 from Lynch's site contains the most gorgeous, pristine black and white transfer I've had the pleasure of seeing, and I couldn't be happier with this set. It was more than worth the cash I spent on it. This is one of those films where I could care less about the cost.

Remember, Lynch fans: December 7th, 2004, finally an R1 release of Wild at Heart. Edition Details:
• Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries.) Read more about DVD formats.
• Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen
• New transfer supervised by David Lynch, with upgraded picture and sound
• Dell's Lunch Counter: all-new extended interviews with Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, David Lynch, Willem Dafoe, Diane Ladd, and Sheryl Lee
• "Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart": new 30-minute documentary
• "Specific Spontaneity: Focus on David Lynch": cast and crew comment on working with Lynch
• "David Lynch on the DVD Process"
• Original making-of featurette
• Sailor & Lula image gallery: 65 behind-the-scenes photos, animated with music
• Original theatrical trailer, TV spots
• ASIN: B00062IVM6

Now we need a great R1 release of Lost Highway, please.

Originally Posted by Morg

Now we need a great R1 release of Lost Highway, please.

You can say that again...

I think Lost Highway is next....Blue Velvet got an SE and now Wild at Heart has an SE..

...aside from Twin Peaks stuff Lost Highway is the next film after Wild at Heart

[KamuiX]

One of the greatest films of all time from one of the greatest directors of all time (the best living today, IMO).

[Guyver99]

I'd agree. David Lynch is my favorite living director. My favorite of all-time is Hitchcock, though.

Pretty much every Lynch film is a masterpiece to me...okay, Dune excluded. Even Lynch said he sold out for that one.

I'm waiting and holding my breath for Lost Highway and Twin Peaks Season 2. I'll pretty much have everything else on region 1 once Wild at Heart is released in December.

[Ash28M]

I finally got a chance to watch Eraserhead this weekend. I guess I would be describe it as a very surreal, strange and oddly wonderful nightmare. I enjoyed it. Couldn't tell you what it was about though as I’m not even sure there was a plot. Which I guess is in the same vein as many of Linch's films. The print on the DVD is perfect. If anyone in Canada wants a chance to rent it, zip.ca was good enough to pick up a few copies after I requested it.