The Most Dangerous Game

Creepy Horror
The Most Dangerous Game is a superb early horror film. It is a really creepy, chilling film with great atmosphere. I always prefer this sort of moody horror to more modern films in the genre that depend on shocks and gore. The Most Dangerous Game can really get under your skin with its central theme of a manhunt. I had always thought, until watching the movie, that the `Game' of the title was referring to a game like Poker or Baseball, but really it is game in the sense of big game, lions and tigers and such. It is man who is `the most dangerous game.' For humans with their intellect are more of a threat to the hunter. This idea of a hunter matching his wits against a fellow human being is a deeply disturbing idea.

The film has a really fine cast. Leslie Banks plays the villain Zaroff and is suitably sinister without using histrionics. Joel McCrea shows why he would remain a leading man for the next thirty years and more. He had real star quality and a quiet acting ability similar...

Most Excellent DVD
There has been some debate by previous reviewers of 'The Most Dangerous Game' about the quality of the digital transfer on to DVD. My own view is that the picture quality is outstanding. You do occasionally catch sight of objects shimmering, but the effect is negliable. What really hits you is the incredible sharpness and clarity of the print. This isn't limited to the picture either - the sound quality is equally as impressive. For a movie 70 years old you simply could not hope for better. The only extra feature is a very good commentary by Bruce Eder, whose knowledge of 'The Most Dangerous Game' seems limitless. This guy really knows his stuff and what's more, he delivers it in a very relaxed and friendly manner. The film itself is an action packed 63 minutes that is enlivened by a luscious Fay Wray with great support from Leslie Banks and Joel McCrea. The relatively short running time actually helps maintain a high level of suspense and interest - it feels like an 80...

Gripping Tale Of Man Hunting Man With Fay Wray And Joel McCrea
I think probably one of the greatest terrors you could experience would be as the prey of a hunter out to get you as a "trophy" in an isolated region far from help. As actor Joel McCrea says during the lead up to the exciting climax in "The Most Dangerous Game", "now I know how the animals feel!". RKO's film version of the short story by Richard Connell explores that chilling idea to perfection where one human being indulges in the "ultimate sport", (for lack of a better term), of hunting down and killing a fellow human being. As foreign and distasteful as that idea may be to the majority of people it makes for a fascinating story here that succeeds beautifully in keeping you on the edge of your seat for almost the entire film's running time. Fay Wray always remembered as King Kong's love interest and for possessing the best scream of any person in Hollywood in the 30's, here takes on a different kind of role which she filmed concurrently with "King Kong",on the RKO lot. Long...

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