Search - Natural Born Killers on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1994 DVD Release: 01/16/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Letterbox for TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 59 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Total Copies: 1 Genres: Crime, Road Movie, Crime Drama, Media Satire See Also: Natural Born Killers [Director's Cut], Natural Born Killers, Natural Born Killers [Blu-ray] [Digi Book Packaging], Natural Born Killers [Unrated] [Director's Cut] [Blu-ray], Natural Born Killers [Unrated] [Director's Cut]

A frenetic, bloody look at mass murder and the mass media, director Oliver Stone's extremely controversial film divided critics and audiences with its mixture of over-the-top violence and bitter cultural satire. At the center of the film, written by Stone and Quentin Tarantino, among others, are Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis), a young couple united by their desire for each other and their common love of violence. Together, they embark on a record-breaking, exceptionally gory killing spree that captivates the sensation-hungry tabloid media. Their fame is ensured by one newsman, Wayne Gale (Robert Downey, Jr.), who reports on Mickey and Mallory for his show, American Maniacs. Even the duo's eventual capture by the police only increases their notoriety, as Gale develops a plan for a Super Bowl Sunday interview that Mickey and Mallory twist to their own advantage. Visually overwhelming, Robert Richardson's hyperkinetic cinematography switches between documentary-style black-and-white, surveillance video, garishly colored psychedelia, and even animation in a rapid-fire fashion that mirrors the psychosis of the killers and the media-saturated culture that makes them popular heroes. The film's extreme violence -- numerous edits were required to win an R rating -- became a subject of debate, as some critics asserted that the film irresponsibly glorified its murderers and blamed the filmmakers for potentially inciting copy-cat killings. Defenders argued that the film attacks media obsession with violence and satirizes a sensationalistic, celebrity-obsessed society. Certain to provoke discussion, Natural Born Killers will thoroughly alienate many viewers with its shock tactics, chaotic approach, and disturbing subject matter, while others will value the combination of technical virtuosity and dark commentary on the modern American landscape. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Woody Harrelson - Mickey Knox
Juliette Lewis - Mallory Knox
Robert Downey, Jr. - Wayne Gale
Tommy Lee Jones - Dwight McClusky
Tom Sizemore - Jack Scagnetti

Natural Born Killers was criticized for its violence when released in theaters, and this director's cut release restores even more graphic content. Only huge fans of the film are likely to be interested in these additional scenes, but for those interested in learning how Oliver Stone ticks, it's a great study of the mind of the director. Also included are several surreal deleted scenes, including two featuring Ashley Judd and Denis Leary, as well as an alternate ending. Stone's commentary, which is prefaced with a Trimark Pictures disclaimer as not reflecting the company's views, proves he really does have a grasp of the medium, and the "making of" featurette with the cast and crew reinforces the idea that this film was made in an "inmates running the asylum" manner. For those interested in the controversy or looking for an education in violent experimental filmmaking, this disc is loaded with goodies. ~ Arthur Borman, All Movie Guide