Customer Reviews

Day of the Locust [VHS]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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

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.

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.

If you are an avid movie fan, then you probably know how it is to no longer have the ability to be tremendously affected by great movies, although you can still recognize their greatness. An example would be All About Eve. I have overwhelming respect for this film, but it has always left me relatively unmoved. Another example would be Dogville. I definitely could not bring myself to say that about The Day of the Locust, which is a massive artistic achievement, which speaks the truth, and speaks it directly to the heart. Truth is so rare today that when it hits you, it hits hard, and that is exactly what this film has to offer.

The Day of the Locust is inherently ambitious, and that is commendable regardless of how effective the final piece is. It is fortunate that all the artistic elements combined so seemlessly and movingly. The film, although it may not be readily apparent, is extremely well casted. Karen Black gives a career-best performance as Faye Greener, a creature so messed up inside that it is easy to love her in spite of her flaws, and that was just the mistake Todd (Donald Sutherland) made. In an ideal world, people meet and fall in love. But this is the dark, seamy, loveless side of Hollywood and the ability to love is all but forgotten (one could see parallels in our world today, that our world has in fact fallen prey to these loveless creatures, making the film ever more relavent), except in the heart of Todd who seems to be the hero of this rather tragic film.

There are many, many moments and lines that will make a kind of jarring imprint on your memory. One of the most horrific, nightmarish scenes occurs at the end of the film, when Faye is finally burned from Todd's memory forever, but, as we soon find, that loss is not too much of a bother for Faye...and that may just be the one great flaw of her character, and of Hollywood. There are no emotional attachments. There is no sincerity or truth. It is an illusion, a fantasy. Faye's heart was part of the illusion, for where it should have been was just empty space, compensated by an appearance that was all flashy and tinsel.

Sorry that is the best I can do to describe a film that defies accurate description or criticism--masterpieces always do, except by masterful writers. The DVD quality? Well, there are no extra features to speak of, but for the price I am very satisfied. The picture and sound quality are both excellent, and that is all that really matters.

Like another reviewer said, seeing this movie will leave you as emotional wreckage and you would be well-advised to take a day off to think about it. However, I disagree with the reviewer who urged depressed people not to see this. On the contrary, that this movie is depressing is only consequently, for it provides truth and, maybe if you look deep enough, answers.

THE DAY OF THE LOCUST was slammed critically in its initial release, and many reviewers here seem irritated by both the film and the current DVD transfer. But the soft focus and grainy look here are true to Conrad Hall's brilliant, Oscar-nominated cinematography -- this picture was hazy in theatres in its first run, and certainly this transfer's a vast improvement over the VHS and laser versions, which were virtually unwatchable. As for the film itself, perhaps it's best regarded as a fantasia on West's classic novel, rather than a literal adaptation. If the viewer doesn't expect a slavish version of the book, LOCUST holds many pleasures. The acting's marvellous (has a performer ever been more bravely and cruelly exposed than Karen Black as Faye?), and Schlesinger found a style unlike his other films, a sort of acrid romanticism that isn't West's surrealism, but packs a punch nonetheless. I've seen this film several times over the years, always finding things in it with which to disagree, but images here have stuck more completely in my mind than those from many more perfect works. Ripe for reevaluation.

Nathanael West's caustic tale of early Hollywood has never been topped...ever. It is so dirty, filthy and debauched one needs a shower after reading it.
Director, John Schlesinger, has captured all of the putrid excesses of West's novel in bright sunny tones and dark demented neon tangents.
The final scene is so utterly nasty-- it remains one of cinema's most fantastic set pieces.
Karen Black, gives one of the sickest over-the-top grotesque performances in all cinema...and Donald Sutherland is not far behind.
Conclusion: If you want to watch Hollywood as an ugly train wreck then-- "Day of the Locust" is your film. (Not to be missed by fans of strange movies).
P.S. Hey, Criterion!! why don't you clean up this crappy inferior DVD mess and make the ultimate statement of this lost masterpiece...John Schlesinger RIP

the day of the locust is a fascinating look at the people who go to hollywood and dont make it. it is brilliantly directed by the great john schlesinger ( midnight cowboy) but it was hated by the hollywood community itself for showing the seamy side of hollywood. when the acadamy awards presented the nominations that year this film was nominated for only one category (burgess merideth in a supporting actor role). the movie was clearly snubbed because it dared to show hollywood in this light and what a horrible light indeed. witness the disaster that takes place on a stage set that collapses because of shody materials or the incredible ending thats is one of the most night marish sequences ever filmed. richard atherton whom i thought would be a super star after this role is great as the new comer to hollywood who wants to be a set designer. he falls for a ditzy blond played very well by karen black whos carachter is so despicable and hatefull that we dont wether to be sorry for her or just hate her. donald sutherland is magnificent as the shy almost retarded rich man who holds in so much of his hate that your just waiting for it to explode ( of course it does). each scene unfolds so brilliantly under the direction of schlesinger that i would recommend it alone as a directors training guide on " how to direct a movie". why this film is not on dvd is beyond me. the film is a dark,brooding sad and powerfull story on human failure and dreams that can go wrong. it reminds me of something eric von stroheim would have done. in fact it is very much like his silent masterpiece GREED filmed in 1924. i have this movie on vhs but i cant wait for a dvd

Firstly I need to make a correction or two to a couple of my fellow reviewers. While astounding, THE DAY OF THE LOCUST won NO Oscars. Burgess Meredith was indeed nominated for his extraordinary work as was Jerome Hellman for photographing it so beautifully. Sadly neither took Oscar home.
What amazes me more was Donald Sutherland's incredible Homer Simpson(yes that's right, Homer Simpson), was also ignored. What a beautiful, sympathetic but ultimately tragic character he plays here. John Schlesinger has delivered an amazing slice of life in Hollywood with this film. Instead of the current trend in cinema where gung-ho directors rush their audience towards a climax by throwing a dozen or so more in along the way, Schlesinger takes his time & allows us to get to know this strange, eclectic group intimately before unleashing the gobsmacking climax. When it comes in all its' brulatity, I guarantee you, it will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
P.S. I don't know what everyone's complaining about, my DVD transfer is mighty fine.

The Day of the Locust was made in the mid-seventies, a time where honesty and the nature of people was celebrated, unfortunately Hollywood did not want to celebrate this in itself--for I remember upon its release very little publicity and marketing. It was viewed as a major film but marketed under a "nostalgic entertainment" with a big glossy poster. In reality it is probably the best movie ever made of the Hollywood movie making machine, complete with extras never to be seen or heard from again, set design flaws that may result in injury yet ones that go unreported, the need for the studio bosses to socialize with the high life and the low life. All of it real, sad, exhilirating and ultimately tragic and incomprehensible. John Schlesigner's direction is superb, as is every performance. The pathetic "Revival" sequence will be unforgettable to those who remember them. So many gems onscreen, I hope it gets a rebirth on DVD.

In the 1970's, a slew of films set in the 30's came out---evidently a vogue at the time. Two stand out in my mind. "They Shoot Horses Don't They?" and "Day of the Locust". "Locust" is a particularly corrosive portrait of 30's Hollywood based on the Nathaniel West novel. A young artist (William Atherton) comes to Hollywood and finds success as a scenarist for Paramount. He watches as people sell their souls for the Dream (whatever it is to them) and finally sees Hollywood turn into Hell. "Day of the Locust" won Oscars for Burgess Meredith (as a washed up vaudvillian) and the cinematography. But I thought John Schlesinger should have won for director as well. He paints such a nightmarish picture of a debauched and decadent 1930's Hollywood that you can almost smell and taste it. Donald Sutherland also should have won for his portrayel of Homer Simpson (yes, that's the name), a frighteningly insecure simpleton who becomes Karen Black's benefactor and lives to regret it. He's also the catalyst for the horrifying climax. Black is excellent as Faye Greener (the daughter of Meredith's character)---a callous, hopelessly star struck extra in films using anyone to get ahead...or to just buy her a Dream. Many familiar faces populate the film including Natalie Schafer as a Madam, Geraldine Page as Big Sister (an Aimee McPherson type evangelist), 70's disco artist Paul Jabara as a drag entertainer performing the Dietrich song "Hot Voodoo" and Billy Barty as...a midget. Atherton is superb as the artist and should have been a bigger star after this. Many disturbing images are here including a disgusting cock fight and the brutal murder of a child but even these upsetting scenes contribute to the fabric of the film...their impact is intentional. The DVD print is beautiful, you can see how this won for cinematography. The film is a bit long (144 min.) but not a scene is wasted. Highly recommended viewing all the way.