This special limited edition J-card MediaBook slipcase (designed by Vlad Rodriguez) is limited to 3,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Taking its name from the Lumière Brothers invention of the same name, Cinématographe is a new sub-label from Vinegar Syndrome that seeks to fill gaps in the canon of American cinema. Offering a mix of auteur driven studio films produced during the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s and 70s all the way through the indie boom of the 1980s and 90s, Cinématographe will explore the wide breadth of American moviemaking, spanning numerous genres and scales of production. Curated and produced by Vinegar Syndrome's Justin LaLiberty, each limited edition release will be housed in a specially designed, cloth-bound, media book with embossed foil titles and custom molded disc trays accompanied by a slipcase featuring newly commissioned art and an individually numbered J-card.
Paul Reis (Beau Bridges, The Landlord) returns to his almamatter, St. Charles, an exclusive Catholic boarding school for male adolescents, as the new physical education teacher. When he arrives, he finds two of his new colleagues, English teacher Joseph Dobbs (Robert Preston, Victor/Victoria) and Latin teacher Jerome Malley (James Mason, Lolita), engaged in a bitter rivalry. As tensions rise, and anonymous threatening phone calls disrupt the usually tranquil environs of St. Charles, Reis finds himself embroiled in an unpredictable cycle of violence which begins to reflect in the increasingly aggressive behavior of the students.
Sidney Lumet’s (Serpico, Network) often overlooked marriage of coming-of-age angst and subtle thriller dynamics is a deft adaptation of Robert Marasco’s (Burnt Offerings) play of the same name. Featuring claustrophobic photography by Gerald Hirschfeld (Fail-Safe) accompanied by a paranoia-inducing score from Michael Small (Klute, The Stepford Wives), CHILD’S PLAY is vintage Lumet. Cinématographe is proud to present this beguiling entry in the career of America’s most treasured auteurs in a brand new 2K restoration from its original camera negative.
directed by: Sidney Lumet starring: James Mason, Robert Preston, Beau Bridges 1972 / 100 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 1.0
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
New Audio Commentary by film historian Adrian Martin
Play to Strengths: Sidney Lumet, Stagecraft and Cinemacraft - a new video essay by film historian Daniel Kremer
Designing Lumet - an interview with production designer Philip Rosenberg
One Stop on the Road to Serpico - a new documentary short by Daniel Griffith
Sidney Lumet on Charlie Rose - a full, 42 minute interview between director Sidney Lumet and journalist Charlie Rose, recorded in 2006
One Step Further: Becoming Lumet - An hour long documentary chronicling the first half of Sidney Lumet's career
New text essays by film critic Mitchell Beaupre, and culture writers Patrick Dahl and Madelyn Sutton
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.637097 / 5 from 124 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Customers highly appreciate the limited edition packaging and upgraded film version of 'Child's Play' by Vinegar Syndrome. The film's thrilling and mysterious elements, combined with excellent performances and cinematography, make it a standout release. The product's fantastic looks and well-received treatment add to its appeal.
Summary topics
Packaging Quality (10%): It was noted by customers that the packaging on these releases is excellent and the best in the business.
Release Quality (21%): A significant number of customers remarked that the release was great, excellent, terrific, and highly recommended.
Film Upgrade (7%): Customers loved the upgraded version of the film 'Child's Play' from Vinegar Syndrome.
Thriller Quality (13%): It was highlighted by customers that the thriller was great, awesome, and a nice 70s thriller.
Actor Performances (11%): Customers raved about the great performances from James Mason and Robert Preston in James Mason's book.
"The packaging is excellent, especially once you realize the significance of the artwork and the film looks great." — Rakeem M.
"An overlooked thriller gets the well deserved deluxe treatment" — Brendon C.
"This upgrade looks great." — Jared W.
Reviews
Needed a lot more Charles Lee Ray and a lot less Beau Bridges!
"For my full detailed review of Child’s Play, see my entry on Letterboxd: @M4N14K No tiny killer doll, no deal! I viewed this film on the Child’s Play Cinematographé Blu-ray Limited Edition physical media released through Vinegar Syndrome and it is the same great premium level of packaging and presentation that you’ve come to expect from the generic releases of this boutique label. No other brand beats Vinegar Syndrome at the cardboard game and this great slipcover is no exception to the consistently fantastic artwork and component quality this company produces."
— Michael B. (5/5)
Lumet underappreciated thriller
"Looks beautiful in 4K. The artwork on the packaging is top notch. Some good performances from Bridges and Mason make this a worthwhile watch for the uninitiated. Recommend this to anyone into thrillers!"
— Brent B. (4/5)
Keep the Lumets coming
"I’m a sucker for films about weird kids in stuffy boarding school environments, though haven’t seen this for a while. I had a previous Blu-ray edition but couldn’t resist an upgrade because of Cinematographe’s packaging, which, as ever, is beautiful."
— Ross M. (5/5)
Child’s Play
"Really gaining an appreciation for Lumet’s unheralded work from this era. Topnotch cast, with a real sense of setting. Foreboding, quietly malevolent atmosphere. Watch this late at night, and it really gets under your skin in that best of way. Love the film; love the packaging."
— Barb M. (4/5)
Not the Chucky one!
"Sidney Lumet was never an easy director, and this films honors that, a very high quality filmmakers effort, Child's play puts us in between the rivalry of two institute teachers and makes us see how, sometimes students tend to be cruel anda unfair. The extras are phenomenal and the artwork suggest a tense story, highly recommended!"
— Carlos R. (5/5)
Blind buy, which is funny when you look at the cover art
"Sidney Lumet’s overlooked drama/thriller from the early ‘70s has a a banger cast including James Mason, Robert Preston, and a young Beau Bridges."
— Douglas A. (4/5)
Sidney Lumet is a master
"Sidney Lumet is a master and this overlooked gem is evidence."
— Corey D. (5/5)
Lesser Lumet, but enjoyable
"Certainly not on par with Lumet’s best works, but not without its charms. Great performances all around, especially from James Mason, but the whole is much less than the sum of its parts. The big reveal is not much of one and everything seems pretty unmotivated."
— Brennan B. (3/5)
Great transfer and presentation
"Great transfer and presentation"
— Jon W. (5/5)
This aint Chucky
"The filmmakers went for looks in this stone cold chiller thriller."
— Michael P. (5/5)
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