Search - The Fourth Man on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1983 DVD Release: 04/24/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: Dutch Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 42 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 15 Genres: Thriller, Black Comedy, Erotic Thriller, Psychological Thriller

This stylish erotic thriller gained a cult following for its frank treatment of bisexuality, bizarre visuals, and an extremely sexy performance by Renee Soutendijk as a woman who may or may not have killed her three previous husbands. Jeroen Krabbe is terrific as the intended fourth, a broken-down bisexual writer who is pulled into Soutendijk's web like an unsuspecting fly. Bloody and erotic, De Vierde Man will also interest fans of director Paul Verhoeven, who returned to many of the same themes in his smash American hit Basic Instinct. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Jeroen Krabbé - Gerard
Renée Soutendijk - Christine
Thom Hoffman - Herman
Dolf de Vries - Dr. DeVries

Before he made Basic Instinct, Paul Verhoeven directed the similarly themed The 4th Man in his native Holland. As part of the Paul Verhoeven Collection, Anchor Bay has done a fine job of bringing this title to DVD. The image is framed at the theatrical ratio of 1.66:1 and is wisely anamorphic; though not exactly perfect, it's far better than it has been presented in the past. Though there is some intrusive grain and occasional softness in the visual presentation, it's never too troublesome. Fortunately neither problem is present throughout the film. The sound is a mono track split over two channels, but it services the film well, especially since there aren't any "big" moments that would have taken advantage of a wider sound spectrum. The disc does offer optional English subtitles with Dutch as the only audible language. Though the extra materials on this disc aren't extensive, they are certainly welcome. An audio commentary from Verhoeven highlights the supplemental features. His enthusiasm might just be unparalleled, especially as he explains how critics praised this film after they tore his previous films apart. In addition, this disc has a brief segment comparing the director's amateurish storyboards to the final product. Rounding out this fine disc are some talent biographies and the theatrical trailer. For those that like a thriller with an outrageous visual style (and a fair amount of sex thrown in), they can't go wrong by giving this disc a try. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide