Possession (1981): Collector’s Edition (4K UHD Review)

Reviewed by: Tim Salmons
Review Date: Dec 18, 2023
Format: 4K Ultra HD

Director

Andrzej Zulawski

Release Date(s)

1981 (October 25, 2023)

Studio(s)

TFI Studio (Umbrella Entertainment)

Film/Program Grade: B+
Video Grade: A-
Audio Grade: B+
Extras Grade: A+

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Review

Possession is a film that’s truly beyond genre, though many have tried to squeeze it into one. Most call it a horror film, but it also contains elements of drama and science fiction, never fully committing to any of them, with several operating at once. Director Andrzej Zulawski’s film isn’t specifically about the terrible divorce that he was going through at the time, but invokes feelings of division, separation, alienation, despair, and hatred—often in extraordinarily and shockingly exaggerated ways. Themes of division are on clear display as the film was shot in Berlin, showcasing the wall that was still standing there at the time. The film also toys with the idea of doppelgangers, perfectly realized versions of ourselves that can replace us, but within the context of a married couple (Isabelle Adjani and Sam Neill) coming to grips with their detachment from each other while still hoping for some kind of betterment.

The film is perhaps most famous for a scene of Isabelle Adjani suffering a violently-animated miscarriage in a subway, which many continue to take out of context, treating it as humorous instead of horrifying. However, it plays a part in a larger story about the disintegration of two people, not just from each other, but from themselves as well. Amazing cinematography, incredible monster effects by Carlo Rambaldi, and a go-for-the-throat acting and story approach make Possession one of the most amazing pieces of filmmaking ever mounted. Whether you like the film or not, you won’t soon forget it.

Possession was shot by cinematographer Bruno Nuytten on 35 mm film using Arriflex 35 IIC and 35BL cameras and Arriflex lenses, finished photochemically, and presented in the aspect ratio of 1.66:1. Umbrella Entertainment previously released the film on Blu-ray as part of their Worlds on Film: Beyond Genres line of titles utilizing the TF1 Studio 2020 master for the main presentation, which was restored in 4K from the original camera negative. This appears to be the basis for their new 4K Ultra HD release. Though it’s touted as a “director approved” release, most versions of the film on Blu-ray and UHD have also claimed to have been approved by the director, but with differing results, especially in terms of color. Despite the lack of High Dynamic Range, it’s a fine presentation overall. Grain is better managed with a more precise bitrate that gets the most out of the images. Everything appears sharper with more definition, including the wires on the alien creature, which are much more obvious. There are amazing textures and lovely depth in the image, which could obviously only be improved with a grade in HDR. The color palette adheres to Umbrella’s previous release as far as I can tell, with little to no differentiation. Contrast is pleasing with deep blacks and occasional flashes of brightness. A line running through the frame that comes and goes has been repaired, but a faintness of it remains. Otherwise, it all appears clean and stable.

Audio is provided in English 2.0 mono DTS-HD Master Audio with optional subtitles in English SDH. Excellent support is provided for the sparse score. It’s definitely not a flat track as dialogue and sound effects are given a variety of volumes, depending upon how they’re utilized for each scene. This is definitely a film that could be improved with a multi-channel surround mix.

The 4K Ultra HD Collector’s Edition release of Possession sits a package containing a black amaray case with a 1080p Region-Free Blu-ray and a double-sided poster featuring the original French poster artwork on one side and the US poster artwork on the other. The double-sided insert also features the French artwork, but with the rating certificate on the front. Also included are 8 lobby card reproductions and a slipcover for the amaray case featuring the same original French artwork. Alongside it is a hardcover reproduction of Alison Taylor’s 2022 book Possession (Devil’s Advocates). Everything is housed in sturdy cardboard packaging featuring the film’s US poster artwork (likely to differentiate it from the Mondo Vision Blu-ray release). The following extras are included on each disc:

DISC ONE (UHD)

NEW Audio Commentary with Sally Christie
Audio Commentary with Andrzej Zulawksi and Daniel Bird
Audio Commentary with Frederic Tuten and Daniel Bird
NEW The Failure of Language (HD – 10:00)
The Other Side of the Wall: The Making of Possession (HD – 51:42)
Interview with Andrzej Zulawski (HD – 36:01)
US Cut of Possession (SD – 77:11)
Repossessed: The Re-Editing of Possession (HD – 12:29)
A Divided City: The Locations of Possession (HD – 7:19)
The Sounds of Possession: Korzysnki on Zulawski (HD – 19:06)
Our Friend in the West (HD – 6:40)
Basha: The Unsung Heroine of Polish Poster Art (HD – 5:55)
International Theatrical Trailer (HD – 2:47)
US Theatrical Trailer (SD – 1:57)

DISC TWO (BD)

Audio Commentary with Andrzej Zulawksi and Daniel Bird
Audio Commentary with Frederic Tuten and Daniel Bird
The Other Side of the Wall: The Making of Possession (HD – 51:42)
Interview with Andrzej Zulawski (HD – 36:01)
US Cut of Possession (SD – 77:11)
Repossessed: The Re-Editing of Possession (HD – 12:29)
A Divided City: The Locations of Possession (HD – 7:19)
The Sounds of Possession: Korzysnki on Zulawski (HD – 19:06)
Our Friend in the West (HD – 6:40)
Basha: The Unsung Heroine of Polish Poster Art (HD – 5:55)
International Theatrical Trailer (HD – 2:47)
US Theatrical Trailer (SD – 1:57)

Umbrella provides an excellent compendium of bonus materials from various releases of the film, and adds a couple of new things. First is a new audio commentary by Australian film scholar Sally Christie, which is included on the UHD disc only. Next are a pair of previous audio commentaries, one with Zulawski and filmmaker Daniel Bird that dates back to the original Anchor Bay DVD release in 2000, and the other with co-screenwriter Frederick Tuten, also moderated by Bird, which was recorded for the UK Region B Second Sight Blu-ray release in 2013. Christie provides further valuable insight into the film, while Zulawski and Tuten talk avidly about the making of it. Oddly enough, Christie’s commentary lowers and raises in volume arbitrarily.

Also new to this release is The Failure of Language, a terrific video essay about the film by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. The Other Side of the Wall is an excellent making-of documentary featuring Zulawski and members of the crew and production team recounting their experiences on the film. The French interview with Zulawski originally appeared on the French Region 2 TF1 Video DVD release, but unfortunately, the brief interview with Isabelle Adjani hasn’t carried over. The US version of the film is tape-sourced, but it’s in good enough shape to be presentable. It’s an entirely different animal, and worth at least a single viewing just to give you an idea of how poorly-handled the original US release was. Repossessed goes a step further and highlights the many differences between the two versions. A Divided City is a location tour for the film. In The Sounds of Possession, composer Andrzej Korzynski details working with Zulawski and his contributions to the film. In Our Friend in the West, Christian Ferry talks about working for Paramount and discovering Zulawski. Basha discusses and examines the underappreciated Polish artist who created the iconic poster art for the film.

Several extras from other DVD and Blu-ray releases are not present, which include an isolated score and effects audio track; an interview with translator Eric Veaux; archival interviews with Zulawski, Sam Neill, and Heinz Bennent; the aforementioned brief interview with Isabelle Adjani; and a CD soundtrack.

Umbrella’s 4K UHD release of Possession isn’t the final word on the film, but it certainly offers plenty of great bonus material, a nice presentation, and one of the film’s best-looking home video packages to date. Second Sight is working on their own 4K release of the film, so time will tell which is better overall. But for now, this is a very fine release.

- Tim Salmons

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