Lord of the Flies

The latest (43) in Criterion's growing line of special edition versions of important classic and contemporary films, Peter Brook's 1963 adaptation of William Golding's novel about English schoolboys stranded on a desert island who revert to savages, is presented in a stunningly sharp digital transfer with crisp monaural sound. Extras include: audio commentaries by Brook and others, excerpts from the novel read by Golding, and a fascinating production scrapbook, with home movies and outtakes. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—July 30, 2013—Criterion, 90 min., not rated, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and first on Blu-ray, 1963's Lord of the Flies sports an excellent transfer and Dolby Digital mono audio on DVD and uncompressed mono on Blu-ray. Extras include audio commentary (by director Peter Brook, producer Lewis Allen, cinematographer Tom Hollyman, and editor Gerald Feil), audio recordings of William Golding reading from his novel with corresponding scenes, a 2008 interview with Brook (32 min.), an excerpt from a 1980 episode of The South Bank Show (25 min.), a new interview with Feil (20 min.), an excerpt from Feil's 1975 documentary The Empty Space (17 min.), behind-the-scenes footage including home movies, screen tests, outtakes, and stills (16 min.), a “Living Lord of the Flies” featurette with never-before-seen footage shot by the child actors and narrated by costar Tom Gaman (6 min.), a deleted scene with optional commentary (2 min.), a trailer, and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Geoffrey Macnab and an excerpt from Brook's autobiography The Shifting Point. Bottom line: Brook's classic adaptation makes a welcome high-def debut.]