Cutting Class is the kind of film that wildly steals from various other films without much regard. The finale for example is taken from Cameron’s The Terminator with its killer chasing the hero and heroine into a room filled with automated electronics to face off against them. It also is the type of film that accurately portrays just how insipidly creepy most men were during the era.
However, the film isn’t adroit enough to not be complicit and exploitative during these moments. Take the Pervy Principal (Roddy McDowell in a surprised creepazoid role) and his scene with our Final Girl Paula (Jill Schoelen). The scene is uncomfortable enough with his sleaze trying to get her to undress the teen, but the film has to add those “panty” shots. The salaciousness of it all leaves extra grime to everything, this just being a prime example of what director Rospo Pallenberg does with much glee throughout the film.
That isn’t to say, Cutting Class doesn’t deliver an entertaining slasher. That it does without a doubt. How the film gets there. What it finds it concerns itself with. Are at times alternatingly fascinating and wildly stupid. The way the film continues to cut back to the District Attorney (Martin Mull) on a vacation gone horribly awry – thought to be killed by the slasher. Showing the man is not dead, though he should be, with maintaining his life with a few powder donuts he has. All to be a punchline for the end of the film.
The most arresting part of Cutting Class isn’t the kills and the identity of the slasher themselves but the love triangle at the center of the film. Brian (Donovan Leitch) and Dwight (Brad Pitt) fight over Paula over the course of the film. The funniest and most telling aspect is just how trashy both young men are. There is scene after scene between the duo or their time with Paula where they continually treat the young woman like she’s property to be awarded to the winner. One wishes that Paula’s character had a bit more agency and was not so willowy and differential to these guys.
All of this aside, Cutting Class delivers on the kills and set pieces, though keeping the weird always at the forefront. The prime example is the iconic kill of the gym teacher played by Dirk Blocker (from Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Poltergeist fame). For no reason whatsoever the teacher decides to use the trampoline. Well, if you’ve seen Eli Roth’s (who was inspired by cutting class) faux trailer / real slasher for Thanksgiving you know what happens next. It’s in these moments that the film truly shines.
Plus, who can resist two men fighting with corded power tools in the middle of a shop class? The answer is no slasher fan I know of. In those moments, Cutting Class elevates itself from the grime of the Z-grade nonsense it’s been trading in and becomes a proper deranged slasher film of the highest order.
The Transfer
The 2018 4K Restoration (from the 35mm original camera negative) and presented in 2160P HD in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in HDR is as good as Cutting Class has probably ever looked. The image is sharp, and clean of any dirt or scratches. The transfer benefits greatly from the 4K UHD with the fine details pushed to the forefront including a wonderful patina of film grain. MVD Entertainment continues its amazing work with 4K UHD releases.
The Extras
They include the following;
R-Rated / Edited Version of ‘Cutting Class’
Interview with star Jill Schoelen
Interview with star Donovan Leitch
Find the Killer VHS Contest
‘Kill Comparisons’ featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer
R-Rated / Edited Version of ‘Cutting Class’ – MVD Entertainment made sure that the R-rated cut of the film was included for prosperity’s sake. Note the version on both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray as the main feature is the Unrated Cut of the film.
Interview with star Jill Schoelen (20:26) – in this archival interview the actress begins with her casting in the film. Schoelen discusses her hesitance to join the project – a larger discussion of the problems with the script; the relationships on set she made or didn’t; what it was like working with Rospo Pallenberg – a larger discussion of the difficulties during the production; working with Martin Mull and Roddy McDowell; and much more.
Interview with star Donovan Leitch (16:25) – in this archival interview with the actor begins with how he got the role. Leitch discusses his excitement working with director Rospo Pallenberg – including his screenwriting work with John Boorman; his first day on set meeting Pitt – including a great anecdote; the casting process; a few connections to Boorman’s Deliverance; working with Roddy McDowell – including a few great anecdotes; a discussion about the production and the chaos of the way they filmed; his relationship with Pitt during the production – including some great anecdotes; if they had a premiere; lack of theatrical distribution; and much more.
Find the Killer VHS Contest (4:11) – a VHS promotion (for retailers) for Cutting Class that’s grand prize is hilariously bad. The promotion does feature Don Lafontaine (aka the Movie Trailer Guy).
‘Kill Comparisons’ featurette (3:53) – this featurette is a split-screen comparison between the R-rated and Unrated cuts of the film and the various Kills that were cut or used alternate footage.
Original Theatrical Trailer (2:33)
The Final Thought
MVD Entertainment has done a great job with its 4K UHD releases and Cutting Class is no different. High Recommendations.
Brad Pitt in a High School Slasher Film? If you ask this, you haven’t seen the cult classic Cutting Class! MVD Entertainment has given the film an upgraded 4K UHD Edition!
The Film
Cutting Class is the kind of film that wildly steals from various other films without much regard. The finale for example is taken from Cameron’s The Terminator with its killer chasing the hero and heroine into a room filled with automated electronics to face off against them. It also is the type of film that accurately portrays just how insipidly creepy most men were during the era.
However, the film isn’t adroit enough to not be complicit and exploitative during these moments. Take the Pervy Principal (Roddy McDowell in a surprised creepazoid role) and his scene with our Final Girl Paula (Jill Schoelen). The scene is uncomfortable enough with his sleaze trying to get her to undress the teen, but the film has to add those “panty” shots. The salaciousness of it all leaves extra grime to everything, this just being a prime example of what director Rospo Pallenberg does with much glee throughout the film.
That isn’t to say, Cutting Class doesn’t deliver an entertaining slasher. That it does without a doubt. How the film gets there. What it finds it concerns itself with. Are at times alternatingly fascinating and wildly stupid. The way the film continues to cut back to the District Attorney (Martin Mull) on a vacation gone horribly awry – thought to be killed by the slasher. Showing the man is not dead, though he should be, with maintaining his life with a few powder donuts he has. All to be a punchline for the end of the film.
The most arresting part of Cutting Class isn’t the kills and the identity of the slasher themselves but the love triangle at the center of the film. Brian (Donovan Leitch) and Dwight (Brad Pitt) fight over Paula over the course of the film. The funniest and most telling aspect is just how trashy both young men are. There is scene after scene between the duo or their time with Paula where they continually treat the young woman like she’s property to be awarded to the winner. One wishes that Paula’s character had a bit more agency and was not so willowy and differential to these guys.
All of this aside, Cutting Class delivers on the kills and set pieces, though keeping the weird always at the forefront. The prime example is the iconic kill of the gym teacher played by Dirk Blocker (from Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Poltergeist fame). For no reason whatsoever the teacher decides to use the trampoline. Well, if you’ve seen Eli Roth’s (who was inspired by cutting class) faux trailer / real slasher for Thanksgiving you know what happens next. It’s in these moments that the film truly shines.
Plus, who can resist two men fighting with corded power tools in the middle of a shop class? The answer is no slasher fan I know of. In those moments, Cutting Class elevates itself from the grime of the Z-grade nonsense it’s been trading in and becomes a proper deranged slasher film of the highest order.
The Transfer
The 2018 4K Restoration (from the 35mm original camera negative) and presented in 2160P HD in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in HDR is as good as Cutting Class has probably ever looked. The image is sharp, and clean of any dirt or scratches. The transfer benefits greatly from the 4K UHD with the fine details pushed to the forefront including a wonderful patina of film grain. MVD Entertainment continues its amazing work with 4K UHD releases.
The Extras
They include the following;
R-Rated / Edited Version of ‘Cutting Class’ – MVD Entertainment made sure that the R-rated cut of the film was included for prosperity’s sake. Note the version on both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray as the main feature is the Unrated Cut of the film.
Interview with star Jill Schoelen (20:26) – in this archival interview the actress begins with her casting in the film. Schoelen discusses her hesitance to join the project – a larger discussion of the problems with the script; the relationships on set she made or didn’t; what it was like working with Rospo Pallenberg – a larger discussion of the difficulties during the production; working with Martin Mull and Roddy McDowell; and much more.
Interview with star Donovan Leitch (16:25) – in this archival interview with the actor begins with how he got the role. Leitch discusses his excitement working with director Rospo Pallenberg – including his screenwriting work with John Boorman; his first day on set meeting Pitt – including a great anecdote; the casting process; a few connections to Boorman’s Deliverance; working with Roddy McDowell – including a few great anecdotes; a discussion about the production and the chaos of the way they filmed; his relationship with Pitt during the production – including some great anecdotes; if they had a premiere; lack of theatrical distribution; and much more.
Find the Killer VHS Contest (4:11) – a VHS promotion (for retailers) for Cutting Class that’s grand prize is hilariously bad. The promotion does feature Don Lafontaine (aka the Movie Trailer Guy).
‘Kill Comparisons’ featurette (3:53) – this featurette is a split-screen comparison between the R-rated and Unrated cuts of the film and the various Kills that were cut or used alternate footage.
Original Theatrical Trailer (2:33)
The Final Thought
MVD Entertainment has done a great job with its 4K UHD releases and Cutting Class is no different. High Recommendations.
MVD Entertainment 4K UHD Edition of Cutting Class is out now
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