4K UHD Review: Kino Lorber’s Play Misty for Me (KL Studio Classics) 

Before Wild Things, Basic Instinct, and Fatal Attraction… there was Play Misty For Me.  A psycho-sexual thriller and directorial debut of Clint Eastwood get a 4K UHD upgrade courtesy of Kino Lorber.  

The Film 

At the height of Clint Eastwood’s star power, he cashed in that Box Office cache to direct a small sexual thriller.  Play Misty for Me was the outcome and thus begins Eastwood’s career 3.0 as a multi-hyphenate.  

Dave Garver (Eastwood) is your average man-about-town Lothario circa 1971.  Living in the quaint hamlet of Carmel California he’s got it all; a beautiful house, too cool job as a DJ on a Jazz Station (when Jazz was still very popular), and a bevy of women he woos to bed.  Nothing could be better for the dude.  Dave’s cool cat lifestyle is about to be turned upside down by mystery caller Evelyn (Julie Walters).  What Dave thinks is a one-night stand is so much more to Evelyn.  Evelyn comes in like a wrecking ball (you know the song) and begins to ruin Dave’s life from his perspective.  Which all leads to a familiar confrontation between Dave and Evelyn and Dave’s girlfriend.  

Play Misty for Me is an often-complex play on the male “women be crazy” psycho-sexual thriller that literally began with this film.  The old adage about the original being the purest form is true here.  Light on sex and heavy on psychology the film tightens the screws 

The film is light on sex, this is not a film with obligatory ass-shots of a thrusting Michael Douglas in the throes of ecstasy.  Which is something that in the 80s and 90s they leaned heavily on (Douglas became a superstar because of this, though many of others did as well).  Eastwood is not as crass.  Here he heavily intercuts the scenes of lovemaking, which could be seen on TV nowadays, with shots of nature giving us a sense of his character’s headspace.  Waves crashing as he takes Evelyn to bed.   Picturesque shots of foliage as Dave makes love to Tobie (Donna Mills), while Roberta Flack plays no less.  

The film is definitely heavy on psychology and for its time deep dived into what is a very tricky subject.  Which again something in the 80s and 90s psycho-sexual thrillers were light on, going for a “women be crazy” solution instead.  Play Misty for Me shows Evelyn’s deterioration and blames much of it on Dave’s inability to handle things as he should.  One of the most arresting aspects of the film is how Eastwood uses his own persona and steely gaze to show a man who is complicit at the very least in rocking Evelyn’s mental health to a dangerous place.  

The one thing that gives anyone pause is the third act, which is a moment of violence.  There is a moment that will honestly shock anyone.  Something that’s hard to reconcile even with “well it was the 70s” wah-wah… style attitude.  It’s that moment that honestly keeps it from not being a contentious piece of cinema.  It’s not to say that Fatal Attraction has it solved, by no means.  That movie can go fuck itself with its third-act political bullshit “As long as my wife shoots the lunatic with a gun it’s all alright”.  At least Play Misty for Me does do that right putting everything on Eastwood’s character even though at first glance one would not think so.  

As it stands Play Misty for Me is still a haunting piece of work that’s much better than most of the Psycho-Sexual Thrillers that came after it.  The film’s restraint is the biggest asset, something that Eastwood’s directorial career has, for the most part, been built on. 

The Transfer

Note: that the new transfer is only on the 4K UHD disc.

The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is an all-around masterful example of what an upgrade 4K UHD can be. The image retains the coloring and look of the original experience.  The transfer is sharp, the highlights being the contrast and black levels.  The Bruce Surtees photographed movie retains the look and feel of the original theatrical presentation in this new transfer.  There is none of the dreaded “crushed blacks” that could plague this film with its noirish lighting. The image is healthy and beautifully represented of the night/low light photography of the film.  Kino’s 4K UHD presentation is a sterling example of what can be done with 4K UHD.  

The Extras

They include the following;

DISC 1 (4KUHD): 

• NEW Audio Commentary by Screenwriter/Producer Alan Spencer
• Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY): 

• Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
• Misty Memories: Interview with Co-Star Donna Mills
• Video Essay by Film Historian Howard S. Berger
• Play It Again… A Look Back at Play Misty for Me: Documentary
• The Beguiled, Misty, Don and Clint: Featurette
• TRAILERS FROM HELL with Adam Rifkin
• Stills Montage
• Clint Eastwood Directs and Acts: Photo Montage
• The Evolution of a Poster: Photo Montage
• TV Spots
• Theatrical Trailer and Teaser

DISC 1 (4KUHD):

Note: The Spencer Commentary track only appears on the 4K UHD disc.  

The all-new Audio Commentary by Screenwriter/Producer Alan Spencer begins by discussing that Play Misty For Me was Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut and has directed, at the time of recording, 46 films with Juror #2 (just released) being his last at 93 years old.  Spencer with great wit and a wealth of information about Eastwood, the production, and more delivers a truly great commentary track.  Some of the other details include a larger discussion of Eastwood’s origins as a TV actor – and how much has changed in the years since he was on Rawhide; the development of the screenplay and the changes that were made; Don Siegel’s cameo – and the reasons why his cameo was shot first; the casting and performance of Jessica Walter – a larger discussion of who the studio wanted; a discussion of Clint Eastwood and the community of Carmel Ca and their protection of the star’s privacy; Eastwood approaching Steve McQueen for the lead – and the reasons why he declined; the casting and work of Donna Mills – who was a recommend from Burt Reynolds; a larger discussion of the “friendship” of Burt Reynolds and Eastwood; a larger discussion of Eastwood’s “love affair” with Carmel CA.; a discussion about screenwriter Jo Heims – which leads to a larger discussion of Eastwood always remembering those who helped him and most importantly Heims’ own history with stalking; a discussion of the other screenwriter Dean Riesner – the work he did specifically on rewriting the script for Eastwood, his sorted colorful history in Hollywood; a discussion of psychosis – including a great anecdote about Anthony Perkins and Norman Bates and Mother; how Eastwood deferred salaries for profit on the film and how successful it was upon release; the praise and critique that John Cassavetes gave to the film; a great discussion about Eastwood and Hitchcock had met about Eastwood starring in his last film; another fabulous detail that Hitchcock would not meet with Spielberg – and a great story about this; a larger discussion of the various similarity and differences between Misty and Fatal Attraction; and much more.  Spencer delivers a great Clint impersonation (and other impersonations) AND a great commentary track.  Kino should seriously consider bringing Spencer’s brilliant late 80s TV show Sledgehammer to Blu-ray, if for nothing more than getting Spencer recording tracks for all the episodes as this is a test run for the type of overflowing. 

The archival commentary from the original KL Blu-ray release by Tim Lucas is an informative track.  Beginning with a nice little introduction very nicely reference to the film Lucas begins with a very detailed account of the script develop, production, and release of the film.  Lucas deep dives into Carmel as an odd town and the production location (Eastwood’s hometown for sixty plus years), the particulars of the cast, how Eastwood was able to shoot the film affordably, where the title Play Misty for Me (which is very interesting and how cultural shorthand slowly go away), the Evelyn Character and her physiology, LBGTQ and Eastwood, Steve McQueen being courted before Eastwood came aboard, Julie Walter’s casting and career, an interesting side note about Eastwood’s casting in Dirty Harry, the story of how Roberta Flack’s best-selling single The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face came to be on the soundtrack, the docu-drama moment at the Monterey Jazz Festival and its importance in and outside of the film, the critical reception of the film, the ties to Edgar Allan Poe’s work, and much more.  Lucas’ academic track is a must for any Eastwood fan.  

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):

Interview with Co-Star Donna Mills (11:31) – this interview with the actress was filmed via Zoom because it was COVID-19 restrictions. Video Quality aside this is a great interview with Mills recounting her hiring and the production.  Anecdotes like being hired because of Burt Reynolds, the quickness of moving into the production, Don Siegel being on set beyond his acting role in the film, Clint’s “one take” mentality that started from the beginning, her friendship with Jessica Walter, the lovemaking scene, and more.  

Play It Again… A Look Back at “Play Misty For Me” (49:22) – is an archival behind-the-scenes documentary from the original DVD release.  Featuring interviews with Eastwood, Julie Walters, Donna Mills, Don Siegel, Richard Schikel, and other cast and crew.  As Eastwood as a guide, the documentary looks back at the history of the script, the casting, the deal to direct and act for Eastwood, the creation of the character Eastwood played, Carmel as a production location, Eastwood’s side comments about Fatal Attraction being essentially a remake, the work to make sure that Eastwood’s action persona was not present, the shooting of the violence, filming the Monterey Jazz Festival, the very uncomfortable “punch” that ends the film, the reception from his Director Peers after a preview, and more.  It’s a great look at the film in lieu of an Eastwood Commentary (which much like Spielberg refuses to do).  

Video Essay by Film Historian Howard S. Berger (73:24) – Berger goes all out in what is a beautifully verbose Visual Essay culling from scenes of the film, stills taken directly from the film, behind-the-scenes photos, and various other media.  The Film Historian goes through just about everything you could possibly as a critic dissecting the film from almost every aspect of the film.  Sexual Politics, Jazz, Character Motivation, Directorial flourishes, specific use of music, use of editing, use of mise en scene, the supernatural aspect of the film, and so much more.  This is the best featurette on any of the Eastwood Kino Lorber discs I’ve reviewed.  The feature-length visual essay is a must for fans of Play Misty for Me and any Eastwood fan who loves the Star/Director’s work.  

The Beguiled, Misty, Don and Clint: Featurette (6:13) – this archival featurette discusses Eastwood’s career and the moment in time when Eastwood took his image and began to bend it beyond the “tough guy” persona and how Don Seigel helped him.  It features comments by Richard Schickel, producer Robert Daley, and Eastwood himself.  

TRAILERS FROM HELL with Adam Rifkin (2:02) – Rifkin gives us a micro-commentary for the Eastwood directorial debut.  

Still Montage (3:54) – 46 production stills, behind-the-scenes stills, and publicity photos that automatically play over the movie’s theme music composed by Dee Barton.  

Clint Eastwood Directs and Acts: Photo Montage (2:03) – 24 stills of Eastwood behind-the-scenes directing and acting in the film.  The montage runs with an accompanying score by Dee Barton from the film.  

The Evolution of a Poster: Photo Montage (2:37) – an interesting montage of photos that helped create what would eventually become the poster including an alternate title (called The Slasher).  Dee Barton’s score for the film accompanies this montage as well.  

Two TV Spots (1:03) – these two TV Spots are narrated by Orson Welles and are so overheated you’d think they were real… they are. 

Theatrical Teaser in HD (0:53) – another Orson Welles narrated overwrought teaser trailer with just stills.  The stills because it was all too much for 70s audiences to take!!! 

Theatrical Trailer in HD (1:53) – the final Orson Welles narrated trailer.  This one actually has scenes but is still overwrought in its editing with still photos at the end.  

Rounding out the Special Features are trailers for High Plains Drifter (2:30), Breezy (2:27), and The Eiger Sanction (2:45). 

The Final Thought 

Kino Lorber has gone all out for Play Misty for Me, again, with a wealth of extras (a new commentary track for this release) and a beautiful upgraded 4K master.  Highest possible recommendations!!! 

Kino Lorber’s 4K UHD Edition of Play Misty for Me is out November 19^th