Product Details

• Actors: Donald Sutherland, Karen Black, Burgess Meredith, William Atherton, Geraldine Page
• Directors: John Schlesinger
• Writers: Nathanael West, Waldo Salt
• Producers: Jerome Hellman, Sheldon Schrager
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 144 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300216535
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,529 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust is by consensus the great Hollywood novel, a poison-pen letter aimed squarely at the tinsel heart of the movie biz. Only in the 1970s could Hollywood actually hazard a film of this story, and the result is suitably corrosive. William Atherton is the observer Tod, Karen Black the blond starlet Faye, and Donald Sutherland the hulking Homer--but they are easily out-acted by the colorful supporting cast. In particular, Burgess Meredith's exhausted showbizzy salesman and Billy Barty's strutting dwarf are superbly crafted gargoyles in this Hollywood wax museum. Director John Schlesinger piles on the rancid atmosphere and rampant hypocrisy until the movie fairly drowns in its own grotesque vision. Long before the climactic apocalyptic riot, the film has torn itself up. There's no substitute for West's wicked prose, so the adaptation comes across as a literal-minded screech rather than a true bonfire of the vanities. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "...a forgotten masterpiece of 70's cinema", May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Day of the Locust [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Many critics consider The Day of the Locust by Nathaniel West to be the best novel ever written about Hollywood. The screen version directed by John Schlesinger and written by Waldo Salt is one of the most faithful adaptations of a book to film ever made. Initially overlooked upon it's release in 1975 (to mixed reviews), it has since developed a huge cult following and is now considered to be a forgotten masterpiece of 70's cinema.It tells the story of Todd Hackett who comes to Hollywood in the 1930's (but it might as well take place in the present) hoping for a career in set design, he soon finds that the road to success in the film industry is a difficult one and his journey takes a downward spiral as he falls in with the users and abusers of Hollywood, the desperate, disillusioned souls who, consumed by boredom and their own emptiness, search out any abnormality in their insatiable lust for excitement - drugs, perversion, crime. In the end only unreasoned, undirected violence will feed their appetites. Aside from top-notch direction, the film boasts gorgeous (Oscar nominated) cinematography by Conrad Hall, a haunting score by John Barry, authentic period costume design and art direction, and outstanding performances from the entire cast. Notably: William Atherton as Todd, Karen Black (her finest role) as Faye Greener, a selfish wannabe actress and extra, Burgess Meredith (also Oscar nominated) as her alcoholic father and former vaudeville star, and an almost unrecognizable Donald Sutherland as Homer, the sensitive, socially retarded misfit who is literally torn apart by those around him and triggers the films much talked about finale.One thing is for certain, anyone who has seen the last 20 minutes of this disturbing film will never forget it. A must-see for film students, art directors, and anyone interested in the "golden" age of Hollywood.Related reading:Hollywood Babylon by Kenneth AngerPlay it as it Lays by Joan DidionLess than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis

57 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing film ..lousy and i do mean LOUSY DVD!, June 11, 2004

By 

movie man "mrmonopoly" (Queens, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Day of the Locust (DVD)

Oh my god the picture quality on this classic film is just horrible.
There is so much grain through out this film that I thought I was loosing my eye site. My VHS copy looks better!

There aren't any extra features on this dvd as well as 90% of Paramount home video's older films.

I am never buying another DVD from Paramount until they shape up with their releases.
:(

A movie like this deserves better treatment ...I feel robbed.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Day of the Locust, June 24, 2000

By 

Carl Allen Bjorgen (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Day of the Locust [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've often wondered how accurately Hollywood portrays the desperation of those who seek to live in it's world. I believe in most cases that there is a great deal of exaggeration used in order to drive a weak story. I didn't feel that way when I watched "The Day of the Locust". I felt extremely uncomfortable throughout most of this movie because I knew within five minutes that this story wouldn't have a happy ending. I commend the great job that was done in casting this project because I can't imagine anyone else other than Donald Sutherland and Karen Black playing the roles of Homer Simpson and Faye Greener. Burgess Meredith, Bo Hopkins, and William Atherton also delivered strong supporting efforts. This was a very disturbing movie, and at times quite violent. What has haunted me the most about this film was how much emotional damage human beings will inflict on those that are closest to them. I recommend this movie, but be prepared to maybe take the rest of the day off after you see it, cause it'll wreck you for sure.