Lord of the Flies [Criterion Collection]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Peter Brooks' big-screen adaptation of William Golding's classic Lord of the Flies adheres closely to the source material. After a plane accident, 30 school-age boys find themselves stranded on an island. The boys decide that the disciplined Ralph (James Aubrey) will be their leader. Jack (Tom Chapin) heads up a group who will hunt and butcher the local population of pigs for food. Also on the island is the mature, intelligent Piggy (Hugh Edwards). Eventually Ralph and Jack become the center of a war for leadership on the island. The story was filmed with less success in 1990. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: PCM Mono
• Screen: Black and White, Pan and Scan
• Features:
  • • Digital transfer, with fully restored image and sound
    • Audio commentary by director Peter Brook, producer Lewis Allen, director of photography Tom Hollyman, and cameraman/editor Gerald Feil
    • Excerpts from the novel, read by author William Golding
    • Deleted scene, with a reading by Golding and commentary
    • Original theatrical trailer, with commentary
    • Production scapbook, home movies, and outtakes
    • Excerpts from Gerald Feil's 1972 documentary "The Empty Space"
    • English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
    • Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition

AWARDS

• National Board of Review

•     Nominated Best Picture - 1963

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Director:

  Peter Brook

• Producer:

  Lewis M. Allen

• Screenwriter:

  Peter Brook

• Book Author:

  William Golding

• Composer (Music Score):

  Raymond Leppard

• Editor:

  Peter Brook, Gerald Feil

• Producer's Assistant:

  Edwin Wilson

REVIEW:

• Director Peter Brooks' depiction of William Golding's novel is appropriately dark and dreary; he is able to attain the perfect balance of innocence and hedonism needed to bring this adventure/morality tale to life. The children are played primarily by non-actors, giving the film a much-needed natural feel. Some might view the lack of budget and amateurish acting as a flaw, but when compared to Harry Hook's more polished, higher-budgeted 1990 adaptation, it is clear Brooks' version is truer to the source material. The images Brooks puts forth in his film are as shocking and startling as they were in the novel, in part due to the naiveté of the actors. Piggy's Hugh Edwards physical appearance is just as Golding described him, as is Ralph James Aubry. Creating an accurate film adaptation of a well received novel is no easy task, but Brooks has done a wonderful job of visualizing this classic novel. ~ Laura Abraham, Rovi