DVD Corner

Peeping Tom Criterion 4K UHD Review

“Peeping Tom” is an unsettling serial killer story. 

Written by Leo Marks, the London set “Peeping Tom” is told from the perspective of a serial killer (Mark). Mark is a voyeuristic killer who preys upon women. He records their fearful last moments as they are about to die. Mark even watches his murders and records police arriving on the scene of the crimes. By day Mark is a quiet photographer who also works on film productions. He desires to become a director and always seems to have a video camera attached at the hip. 

One day he meets a young woman (Helen) who is renting the downstairs room. Mark inherited the rather large house from his father and is renting out rooms for financial reasons. Mark becomes smitten and downright obsessed by Helen even as his murderous tendencies continue to worsen and police begin to close in on him.

“Psycho” wasn’t the only serial killer film to break new ground in 1960 as “Peeping Tom” was released the very same year. Both films ushered in a new era of cinema, but the one difference here is that the British cult classic “Peeping Tom” wound up ruining the career of director Michael Powell. Powell, as you may know, was best known for the classics he made with co-director Emeric Pressburger such as “The Red Shoes,” “Black Narcissus,” and “A Matter Of Life And Death.” ‘Tom’ was very much a departure for the filmmaker and was perceived as a shocking, sick and twisted film. By today’s standards, it’s rather tame. As psychological character study, it’s undoubtedly an unnerving look into the mind of a killer who suffered abuse at the hands of his father as part of a deranged experiment. As a horror film, it’s not all that explicit. In fact, it often feels like Powell is holding back from really terrifying audiences. 

What’s striking about “Peeping Tom” is that it sticks the audience with the killer. From the opening moments of him committing a murder, you know you’re stuck with the POV of this madman. In that respect the movie is quite effective even if it is a slow-burn movie. Where the movie is less successful is with the rest of the narrative. The connection between Mark and Helen never feels earned. If anything it feels forced for the sake of plot. You never really understand why Helen is drawn to him.

Cast wise, the performances are solid. Carl Boehm is profoundly creepy as Mark while Anna Massey shines as the innocent Helen. Even though you may or may not buy their connection, the performances certainly work.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.66:1 2160p With Dolby Vision HDR. How does it look? The 4K digital restoration offers up rich colors. You can’t ask for a better transfer.

Audio Track: Uncompressed Mono. How does it sound? Expect a clean Mono track.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Intro by Martin Scorsese from 2007
* A 2007 commentary by film historian Ian Christie and a 1994 commentary by film scholar Laura Mulvey. Note: These tracks are on the 4K and Blu-ray discs. The commentaries are the only extras on the 4K disc.
* Trailer
* An interview with editor Thelma Schoonmaker from 2007 who was also the wife of Michael Powell.
* Restoring “Peeping Tom” 2023 featurette.
* “A Very British Psycho”- A 1997 documentary about screenwriter Leo Marks.
* “The Eye Of The Beholder”- A 2005 documentary about Michael Powell featuring interviews with Powell’s family, Scorsese, among others. 

May 28, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Criterion Collection, horror, Michael Powell, Peeping Tom, Peeping Tom Criterion 4K UHD Review