Customer Reviews

The Intruder (Special Edition)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was so pleased to watch this DVD. Never having seen the film before, it was a real treat.

Don't let the low budget or the Roger Corman and William Shatner names keep you from seeing this film.

A black and white documentary-style telling about the early days of integration, "The Intruder" follows the efforts of Patrick Henry Society rabble-rouser Adam Cramer (Shatner), as he tries to convince a small Southern town to fight against court-ordered integration of local schools.

Worming his way into the hearts of the townspeople, he soon finds that his racist views can lead to outcomes that cannot always be predicted or controlled.

Written by Charles Beaumont, a big hand behind "The Twilight Zone", every moment is filled with tension thanks in no small part to Shatner's presence.

Shatner gives a wonderful performance as the racist villian. For those who consider his only contribution to entertainment to be Captain Kirk or T.J. Hooker, they have a pleasant surprise awaiting them.

Here is a young Shatner, a daring Shatner, a Shatner with youthful energy, even at times a subtle Shatner, five years or so away from the role that made him a pop icon. His stage training serves him well in the role of Cramer, and his stage roots show. His speech on the town hall steps is frightening and mesmerizing and believable.

Truly a very important work, both socially and culturally, every scene of "The Intruder" is a lesson for film students, history students, and anyone interested in the struggle of the Civil Rights Era. The film should be mandatory viewing in high school history classes.

Included on the disc is a discussion between Shatner and Corman as they discuss the film, the dangers of shooting the film in the South at that time, how certain scenes were shot, and other behind-the-scenes reminiscences.

This nearly-lost treasure has been restored to its original length and form on this 40th Anniversary Edition DVD.

A lot of attention is given as to whether or not Roger Corman made or lost money on this movie. I am fairly certain [especially after seeing the interview with him and Shatner on this DVD] that this is one film he is proud to have lost money on. His only regret for losing money on it is probably because it means very few people saw "The Intruder" when it was released in 1962.

It's a funny thing how kids love to see this movie today. First, it's because "Captain Kirk" is the star and, second, it's all the nasty language that is not politically correct that comes out of his and almost everyone else's mouths. Racial slurs abound that don't just attack Blacks, but Jews and eventually everyone that doen't agree with their racist ideals. But then as the film continues, something happens, something wonderful -- the kids get the message. The way I use to recite "Kirk's" lines from "Star Trek" in the 60s [and still do], my teenage daughter and 22-year-old son recite Adam Cramer's (William Shatner) lines from this newly-released DVD which was filmed before "Star Trek". They just love Adam Cramer because he is so perfectly contemptible. He seems like a caricature today, but 44 years ago he represented strong opinions that were widely held in many parts of this country.

So, back to today. What is the significance of all this?

Probably, it is both a hard and gritty time capsule of how things were and a true-though-not-so-admirable history lesson for our children. From the reactions I have seen to "THE INTRUDER" over the past 5 years, I would say that the kids are getting the point very clearly.

ABOUT THE DVD:

This is a terrific transfer in every way. It is the Widescreen Theatrical Version. DVD features include: Interview with Roger Corman and William Shatner [quite good], Original Theatrical Trailers, Cast and Crew Biographies, Interactive Menus and Previews. It is rated PG-13.

On the back of the DVD case the following description of the film is given: "Arriving in a sleepy Southern town on the eve of integration, slick, charismatic Adam Cramer [William Shatner] is an ominous influence, inciting its white citizens into a racial fervor and plunging the once quiet community into a state of chaos."

What isn't in the description above is the raucous and shameful manner in which the future Captain of the Enterprise behaved. His immoral behavior, including the blackmailing and implied molestation of a minor girl and the rape of a vulnerable, married neighbor [Jeanne Cooper], is perfectly suited to his inflamatory racial speeches and the violence and murder that insued as a result of his instigations. We get to see here where and how the future Captain Kirk began making those speeches which a few years later brought understanding to the galaxy [at least on TV].

THANK YOU CAPTAIN KIRK AND ROGER CORMAN!

I came upon this film by chance on tv, and was stunned by how well it was executed. Not only does this deal with a tough issue on racism, it portrays two sides of a coin. I don't want to give away the plot, but it is well worth checking out. Arguably the most important film Roger Corman has attempted. I think he succeeded. I am also a lifelong Trek fan, and as much as I admire Shatner's performances in Trek II and Classic series, I believe this to be his finest performance. nuff said...

Corman fans have been waiting for this DVD for a long time, and I am thrilled that we will be able to see it in a (hopefully) sharp new DVD transfer.


***HOWEVER***, according to the specifications listed, this "Special Edition" DVD from Buena Vista Home Video is presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which is the wrong ratio for this film.


The earlier, 2001, "40th Anniversary" DVD release (from Corman's own company New Concorde, not Buena Vista!) shows a listing as *widescreen* format.


Therefore, this "Special Edition" in 1.33:1 is evidently a cropped, "pan-and-scan" transfer.


How sad!


For viewers familiar with Buena Vista Home Video this probably comes as no suprise, for BVHV is notorious for releasing many of the Disney classics in cropped pan-and-scan versions (often mistakenly called "full screen"), instead of in their proper, original widescreen theatrical aspect ratios.


According to one user, the back of this Special Edition ADMITS the error by the usual disclaimer: "This film has been modified from its original version." (Some have said it is an open-matte transfer rather than pan-and-scan; however, others have said that the framing seems too tight and close, which suggests pan-and-scan. Open-matte would "loosen" the framing, not tighten it).


HOW CAN A DVD CLAIM TO BE A "SPECIAL EDITION" WHEN IT BOTCHES THE ASPECT RATIO?


Bottom line: for those who want to see THE INTRUDER in it's original widescreen ratio, do a search on amazon and find the 2001 "40th Anniversary" DVD release, in it's proper widescreen ratio, available from several Amazon sellers.


Please note that another review below for the "Special Edition" states the DVD is in "widescreen" --however--- that review is copied in it's entirety from the **2001 EDITION's** Amazon page, and therefore it's mention of "widescreen" is assumed to be inaccurate for this "Special Edition".


Again, Amazon's own specifications indicate an improper 1.33:1 ratio (see "Product Details" above: "Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1").


Buena Vista Home Video should be ashamed!


Instead of ordering this "Special Edition", I've just ordered the 2001 "40th Anniversary" version, and evidently, according to the ratio listed in "Product Details" above, if you want to see the whole film, you will have to order the 2001 edition too, instead of this one. Just a friendly word of warning.

I love William Shatner, but I wanted to see his work before Star Trek, so, despite the racism theme, I decided to purchase this gem of a film. I've always thought William Shatner was a wonderful actor, and I think that people are always criticising him because they are envious. Ordinarily I would not want to watch this sort of film because of the strong feelings I have of Human Rights and equality and it was quite disturbing at times. It was very frightening and realistic, especially when he gets the entire town riled up. I thought it ended well, was a wonderfully made and above all, portrayed film. You must see it, if not for the acting, but for the determination that you would not let such a thing happen in your town.

I consider myself privileged to have seen this more than a decade ago, on the wonderfully eclected "Night Flight" program that used to run Friday evenings.

I figured that a Corman flick would be good for a few cheesy laughs -- especially starring Shatner.

In short, I was not expecting what I got: a harrowing & thoroughly engrossing study of the nature of human evil -- both its potential for incredible violence & its inherent pettiness.

Shatner is awesome; this film shows the man's actual talent, something that really hasn't been given proper opportunity (in that, it really is well-paired with "Incubus"!)

For the record, this film was also distributed as "Shame" (as you'll find it listed in most movie guides), "The Stranger," & even "I Hate Your Guts" when AI was apparently going for an exploitation angle.

Great acting, great writing and great direction. This is definitely one of Shatner's best performances. The interview on the DVD with Shatner and Roger Corman is also very interesting.

This is definitely one for your collection. Pick it up, trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Divorcing this film from the time it was made it's still an amazing achievement. When you do consider that this film was made while the civil rights struggle was still going on makes one more appreciative of the guts and courage it took Roger Corman to bring this film to the screen. Only Corman could have made this film because no major studio wanted to touch it. Corman had to do it on a shoestring budget and even then he lost money on this enterprise. In all likelihood the film contained too many uncomfortable truths about us to attract wide distribution. Consider that it was only a short time before this film was made that we had fought a war against facism only to have an institutionalized form of it in our own backyard. OK, enough of the soapbox. This film works because it feels so real not unlike a documentary. Corman's employment of non-actors probably contributes to it's authenticity. It does take some doing to distance William Shatner from Captain Kirk but do consider that this film was made 5 years prior to "Star Trek" and Shatner was a newcomer at the time this film was made.

Easily the best movie made by Roger Corman and William Shatner's best role. Based on a book by Charles Beaumont (Of Twilight Zone fame), it tells the story of a racist (Shatner) who comes to a small southern town to stop integration. He whips the white population into a paranoid frenzy with near tragic results. I can't say enough good things about this movie. It ranks up there as one of my all time favorite films, along side Seconds, Shock Corridor, Kiss Me Deadly and Blade Runner.

this really is a good little film . i was surprised when i read that Bill Shatner had the lead in this Roger Corman film and was the bad guy and turned in a solid performance . i had to check it out for myself as i'm a huge Shatner fan via "Star Trek" and "The devil's Rain" and so on . this film is very well written , acted , etc . all the performances are solid and the film is a smart and compelling study of fear and how fear can and does often create anger . thank gosh we're no longer in these times . this little time capsule is an excellent reminder of how far we've come . the good old days were not so good for many . and they were not so long ago . excellent and fascinating . into my wish list .