Equinox (DVD)
Special Edition
APPROX. 82 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 1970 - MPA RATING: NR
" "“Equinox” became a cult-hit ... (and fans) were quite understandably amazed and downright inspired to learn that teens could make a “Harryhausen-style” movie in their own backyard.
Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.
In the late 70s, Dennis Muren heard a rumor about a space movie a fellow named George Lucas was making, and he asked if he could help out. The rest, as they say, is history. Muren now has seven Oscars (plus two Special Achievement Awards) on his shelf for his work with Lucas, Spielberg, Cameron and other titans. He didn´t let his love of stop-motion animation blind him to other possibilities in the field. Muren was a pioneer both in short-lived go-animation ("Dragonslayer") and CGI animation (with an award for "Jurassic Park" among others). David Allen likewise became a force in the animation industry with his work on films such as "Twilight Zone: The Movie," "Willow" and many others before his death in 1999.
"Equinox" is no masterpiece of modern cinema, but it is a lot of fun, especially when you know the story behind the movie. I suspect many viewers will get their kicks from laughing at the film´s wooden acting or ham-fisted writing, and that´s OK. You get your pleasure where you can, after all. But don´t condescend too much – this movie was made with a rare degree of sincerity and passion, and it helped to launch several successful film careers. I´ll take "Equinox" over at least half of the films the Academy has deemed Oscar-worthy over the years. Heck, maybe even three-quarters.
Video
Both version of the film are presented in their original 1.33:1 aspect ratios. The 1967 version was restored from a 16mm workprint that I can´t imagine was stored under the most pristine conditions, and it shows the wear and tear of nearly forty years. The 1970 version looks considerably better, though it is quite noticeable when the film switches from the re-shot footage to original footage from the ´67 version. Of course, with movies like this, the poor quality of the image only adds to the charm, so there´s really nothing to complain about here. I doubt either film has looked better than on these restored transfers.
Audio
The films are presented in Dolby Digital Mono. Optional English subtitles support the audio, and may be necessary in some of the more poorly-recorded spots.
Extras
You wouldn´t expect a whole lot of extras for such a low-budget film, but you would be mistaken. Criterion has unearthed just about every possible nugget for this two-disc release.
Disc One includes both version of the film, each of which comes with an audio commentary: Muren, McGee and animator Jim Danforth for the 1967 version; and Jack Harris and director Jack Woods for the 1970 version. The true joy for horror fans, however, is a video introduction by the legendary Forrest J. Ackerman who talks mostly about himself, but then again, he´s Forrest J. Ackerman, so why not?
Disc Two offers the most eclectic collection of ephemera I have ever seen on a Criterion release. The best approach is to summarize them in list form.
- "Monstrous Origins": includes silent outtakes from the film (7 min.) and silent test footage (2 min.) of David Allen´s original Taurus puppet (the ape-creature in "Equinox").
- Dennis Muren Interview (7:30).
- Cast Interview (9:35): with actors Frank Bonner, Barbara Hewitt and Jim Duron.
- "Zorgon: the H-Bomb Beast from Hell" (1972, 9 min.): A silent student film directed by Kevin Fernan, featuring not only the titular beastie but also cast and crew from "Equinox" (Mcgee, Allen and Jim Danforth) plus future FX/make-up guru Rick Baker.
- "A David Allen Appreciation": Allen passed away in 1999, and this feature is a tribute to the legacy he left behind to the animation community. "The Magic Treasure"(19 min.) is a stop-motion animated kid´s short in the spirit of "Frosty the Snowman" or "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Also included is a classic Volkswagen commercial featuring King Kong who is delighted to find a Volkswagen spacious enough even for a big guy like him.
-"Equiphemera" includes an endless array of stills, posters and just about anything else you can name associated with the film or with the filmmakers. I still haven´t gotten to the end of this one.
Disc Two also includes a trailer and two radio spots.
Finally, one of the best features in this set may well be the superb essay by Brock DeShane (who also produced the DVD) which highlights the delightfully-garish insert booklet. This is a must-read for anyone who cares about this kind of film-making.
Film Value
"Equinox" (in either form) will never be confused with "Citizen Kane" but it´s a splendid example of amateur filmmaking and a damned fine piece of special effects work at that. Today everyone has access to advanced editing tools and effects via their Mac or PC, but in the 1960s, Muren, Allen and McGee achieved something pretty extraordinary. I´ll take "Equinox" with all its flaws over at least half of the films the Academy has deemed Oscar-worthy. Kudos to Criterion for expanding its horizons and giving a film like "Equinox" the attention it deserves.
Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.
Learn more about our rating system »
