Rabid

David Cronenberg

1977

Horror

Cronenberg’s second feature film, that sits in the between Shivers and The Brood – the trio of 70s films released by Cronenberg. All three would touch on the body horror themes that Cronenberg is famed for. While Rabid is one of his more conventional efforts, it definitely has a place of worth within his filmography. The likes of Videodrome and Crash tackle far more complex themes and the films themselves are quite esoteric in their approach and a broadly disorientating experience for audiences. Rabid on the otherhand is far more stripped back genre fair, the casting of adult film actress Marilyn Chambers putting this in explotation grindhouse teritorry.

101 Films

101 films are a boutique blu-ray label committed to releasing the best cult and classic catalogue titles, featuring brand new extra content, newly commissioned artwork and restored masters

2k Scan

2 disc blu ray

Region B

The film itself is suitable midnight movie viewing, perfectly trashy with a grimy atmosphere and a 70s, almost European arthouse aesthetic. There’s a huge four different audio commentaries, including one with the man himself. There’s two documentaries, one from 1999 on Cronenberg The Directors: David Cronenberg and new for this disc The Quiet Revolution: State, Society and the Canadian Horror Film – Part One: Gimme Shelter: Cinepix and the Birth of the Canadian Horror Film (Part 2 of this documentary is on the 101 release of the 2019 remake of Rabid) It’s one of David Cronenberg’s easier watches and provides great context for his later, more layered work. What makes the 101 films blu-ray such a compelling purchase is the extras disc. The film accompanied by the extras gives rich context to Cronenberg’s early work.