Spetters

Legendary director Paul Verhoeven's controversial 1980 drama "Spetters" is one of his most underrated and often overlooked films in my opinion. Raw, brilliantly acted and at times sexually graphic with some of Verhoeven's most fleet footed and stylish direction.Previously released on DVD by MGM years ago in its uncensored director's cut, it seemed the film would never get a proper blu-ray stateside which did the film justice. Enter Kino Lorber who oversaw a full 4K restoration for their blu-ray release of this classic film. Simply put their transfer is stunning with gorgeous detail and sumptuous colors which is like seeing the film again for the first time. Contrast and black levels are spot on. I should mention that this bu-ray also contains the uncensored director's cut. Presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 (with small pillar boxes on the side), the transfer features a robust bit rate so absolutely no compression artifacts are to be seen. The film looks breathtaking! Sound is presented on 2 channel lossless audio.The solo Verhoeven commentary track from the ancient MGM DVD is carried over thankfully as it is a very informative one. Also included is an image gallery and the film's trailer in standard definition. While I would have liked to see some new extra content created for this release, the new restored transfer more than makes up for that. Highly recommend!

The Kino Lorber blu-ray looks and sounds fantastic. And maybe it has just been a while since I've seen the film but I could swear there were a few extra "bits" here and there that I'd never seen before. This is the unrated director's cut so I guess it is possible that I'd only seen a neutered cut. The film has lost none of its power in 40 years, it is still outrageous and worth watching. I've long believed that Spetters is the key to understanding Showgirls properly and Verhoeven himself says as much on a fantastic audio commentary. (His commentaries are always great.) Spetters was pilloried on release in just the same way. It was too far ahead of its time and too honest, and maybe it still is for some people. To me it is a masterpiece that echoes Italian neorealism with a brutally pragmatic depiction of working class struggles and heartbreak. Yet at the same time, being Verhoeven, it's pitched just a little bit higher and wider...and faster and wilder. Not quite camp, but enough to set your teeth on edge and keep them there.

Ever since I saw "Turkish Delight" at Filmex, many years ago, I've been a fan of Paul Verhoeven's movies, at least the Dutch ones. They're all kind of nerve-wracking and usually depressing, at least in part, but for some reason I keep coming back to them. "Spetters" is the story of three young Dutch guys who aspire to be motocross stars, hence the name of the film, which translates as "Aces." Actually they're all jerks and the film might better have been titled "Klootzaks" but we might more charitably think of them respectively as the Inept, the Conflicted, and the Ill-Starred, your choice as to which is which. Nonetheless, if you can get past their obnoxious behavior, the story does get involving enough. What really got me about this particular blu-ray (Region B, requires a region-free blu-ray player for US viewing) (seriously, don't overlook that) is that it's a perfectly gorgeous transfer from the film, AND it's "uncensored." For some reason, the US version of the film had some nudity removed but was never labeled as "censored". Anyway, this is the director's cut, probably the most beautiful DVD transfer I've ever seen, and (spoiler alert) has a sort-of happy ending, at least for Verhoeven. I'm glad I bought it.

I had this film on VHS and it was dubbed. This version isn't, but it is a cleanvery good transfer. This is a foreign film that is very entertaining.When they measure their penises, this was a surprise.You won't see this in an American film. Good storyline.This is an updated DVD transfer and beautiful. I'm a freak for good quality transfers.Bought in on Amazon, where else?

It was an interesting movie. It looks like it was shot in the late 70's or early 80's. I like motorcycles and there were motorcycles in the movie, there just wasn't a lot of racing. The movie was more about the people and their lives.

Interesting movie...did not think I would like it at first but the more I watched it...the more interested I became. It has a different twist than most movies would have...and I actually had fun watching it.

Merci beaucoup

Bought for Step dad and he was thrilled with the purchase!

ottimo film, grazie alla brava attrice protagonista. Rispecchia la prima liberalizzazione del mondo olandese in nome della tolleranza e non discriminazione.

Hie und da etwas übertrieben, aber es trifft den Zeitgeist bestens. Habe etwas verspätet doch noch das Vergnügen gehabt, wieder in meine Jugendjahren einzutauchen und verwundert festzustellen, wie sehr sich die Welt und besonders die Gesellschaft sich verändert haben.

Another film that has haunted me since I saw it when it was released during my university days... perhaps less relevant at my present age, but in its close-to-the-bone analysis of various permutations of adolescent dilemmas it is realistic and, in eschewing the typical Hollywood happy ending for the far better European open, unresolved ending, I would suggest it mirrors life accurately. Or, as Kurt Vonnegut might opine, "So it goes"! Well worth a viewing but situations are mature - not for family viewing!