Search - Fear No Evil on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Graphic Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1980 DVD Release: 07/22/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 39 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Horror, Thriller, Supernatural Horror

This imaginative low-budget horror film from first-time director Frank LaLoggia tells the story of shy high-school student Andrew (Stefan Arngrim) who, in a nod to the Omen films, slowly begins to realize that his feelings of alienation stem from the fact that he is the Antichrist. This revelation is not lost on Andrew's elderly next-door neighbor and one of his fellow students -- both of whom are actually archangels-in-hiding who have been waiting for the inevitable moment when the boy's latent identity finally surfaces. Andrew's first demonstration of his powers allows him to avenge himself on his cruel classmates (in an imaginative scene, one macho poser is gifted with breasts), but soon he begins to undergo a more dramatic change. The climactic moment comes during an outdoor Passion play performance -- during which the actor portraying Jesus on-stage ends up crucified for real -- and archangels Gabriel and Michael arrive to fulfill their destiny in the final battle between good and evil. Considering the budgetary limitations, this is still an impressive debut, tackling its weighty metaphysical themes with style and intensity seldom seen in other teen-horror films and boasting a superb score blending punk, pop, and new wave tracks with haunting Gregorian chants. Apart from its artistic merit, Fear No Evil should stand as an inspiration to young filmmakers everywhere. Producer/director Frank LaLoggia managed to scrape up 150,000 dollars to finance the production and find distributors all on his own -- all at the tender age of 23 -- long before his success directing the more subdued supernatural opus Lady in White. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Stefan Arngrim - Andrew
Elizabeth Hoffman - Mikhail/Margaret Buchanan
Kathleen Rowe McAllen - Gabrielle/Hulie
Frank Birney - Father Daly
Daniel Eden - Tony

Anchor Bay has done a stunning renovation of a lesser-known genre title with their deluxe edition DVD of Fear No Evil. Those who became familiar with this title via the old, faded-out VHS release version will be impressed by the video transfer here: Fred Goodich's gauzy, diffused photography style is richly reproduced with plenty of detail. In terms of audio, the film is treated to a Dolby 5.1 remix that adds plenty of sonic muscle to the film's soundscape. The extras start with a fun commentary track from Frank LaLoggia and Goodich. It's a little dry and technical in spots, but their easy-going camaraderie makes for a fun track that delivers plenty of fun anecdotes about the film's low-budget in a breezy, entertaining style (including a tale about how the Coen brothers and Sam Raimi crossed paths with LaLoggia during Fear No Evil's post-production phase). This disc also offers a collection of unique behind-the-scenes video footage, a large gallery of trailers that show the different approaches used to sell the film, and a still and poster gallery. All in all, this a very loving presentation of Fear No Evil that presents a great way for horror fans to get acquainted with this oft-forgotten title. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide