The Chocolate War (1988) (MVD Rewind) - September 27, 2022

[MifuneFan]

MVD has announced a Blu-ray release of Keith Gordon's The Chocolate War (1988). This is the debut BD for the film!

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• High Definition (1080p) presentation of the main feature in 1.85:1 aspect ratio
• Audio: English 5.1 Surround , English LPCM Mono, Spanish Mono
• Optional English, French and Spanish Subtitles
• Feature Commentary By Director Keith Gordon
• Interview – Director Keith Gordon Discusses ‘The Chocolate War’
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Collectible Mini-Poster
• Limited Edition Slipcover (First Pressing Only)

Based on Robert Cormier’s controversial novel – once the most widely banned book in America -this “starkly beautiful” (San Francisco Chronicle) allegory of abusive power is set in a Catholic boy’s school where a chocolate sale becomes a war over conformity. Jerry (Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Weird Science) is a student who refuses to take part, undercutting ambitious school administrator Brother Leon (John Glover, Scrooged). Leon secretly enlists Archie (Wallace Langham, credited as Wally Ward, Ford v. Ferrari) - the sadistic mastermind of the school’s resident gang - to force Jerry into line. But motives and results are far more complex than they first seem in this “fascinating film done with style, with care and with excellence” (Los Angeles Times)

[HorrorBlu]

Timed for the Stranger Things revival of Kate Bush, no doubt.

[Tommy0807]

Cool. How bad is it that I don't remember if I've seen this film? I think I have. I read the novel on which it is based in an adolescent/YA literature class when I was in college, so when the film was released, I was interested in it, but I have no recollection of it other than Keith Gordon directed.

[beamish13]

Originally Posted by Tommy0807

Cool. How bad is it that I don't remember if I've seen this film? I think I have. I read the novel on which it is based in an adolescent/YA literature class when I was in college, so when the film was released, I was interested in it, but I have no recollection of it other than Keith Gordon directed.

It’s a gorgeous movie and one of the most underrated American independent films of the 80’s. When I first saw it, I disliked Gordon’s changes to Robert Cormier’s ending, but his rationale for doing so completely won me over. It’s a staggeringly impressive film for a directing debut

[Gacivory]

Oh cool! I had just heard about this and wanted to check it out!

[KindOfBlu]

Finally! I've been wanting to upgrade my DVD of this for a long time. I really like Gordon's adaptation, and it has one of the most effective '80s-music soundtracks I've ever heard--from Peter Gabriel and Yaz to Windham Hill (Scott Cossu's haunting "Shepherd's Song"), and of course Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill."

[TheMovieGraveyard]

First discovered this movie when it hit dvd, I can't wait to finally have it on blu!

[dissention]

Fantastic news, another one off my wish list. Wallace Langham is such a memorable creep in this, even if the changed ending kind of flops.

[beamish13]

Originally Posted by dissention

Fantastic news, another one off my wish list. Wallace Langham is such a memorable creep in this, even if the changed ending kind of flops.

The ending is in many respects even bleaker than what the book put forth. In essence, Jerry conforms and becomes exactly what he ostensibly hated at the start

There are so many great visual touches in this. I love the display of butterflies above Archie/Wallace Langham’s bed that seem to symbolize other students who have been sacrificed for preserving Trinity’s grotesque traditions

Yeah, I’ve taught the novel, so this is VERY fresh in my mind

[JoelGoodsen]

Will be picking this one up.

[mrlanphear]

Stoked for this.

[ShellBeacher]

Can't wait, have been waiting for this!!! I want ALL the KEITH GORDON JOINTS on Blu!!

[beamish13]

Originally Posted by ShellBeacher

Can't wait, have been waiting for this!!! I want ALL the KEITH GORDON JOINTS on Blu!!

I’d kill to have Static. I still have it on laserdisc