Only a couple of years ago now, Eureka in the UK released a beautiful big box edition in 1080p, replete with gorgeous artwork and decent special features. Sadly, the transfer of that release left me wanting, so imagine my thrill when I heard Kino Lorber were going to release a new 2160p ‘native scan’ in 4K. For the film’s 40th anniversary—yes, you read that right, Cujo is forty! —did they succeed where Eureka failed?

Stephen King has been synonymous with horror for as long as this reviewer has been able to speak. His influence in all manner of entertainment is undeniable, none the least in the world of film. There is hardly a word the man has put down that hasn't been snapped up and adapted for the silver screen or TV. With so many of his novels now considered horror classics, it often boggles the mind that so many of their cinematic namesakes don't capture the same recognition, ending up pale imitations trying - but failing - to invoke the man's imagination. But every so often whoever adapts one delivers a worthy counterpart to the book. De Palma's Carrie; Reiner's Misery; Darabont twice with Shawshank Redemption to name but a few.

Yet Lewis Teague’s Cujo is an oft unsung entry into this rare list. This relatively faithful adaptation tells the story of Donna Trenton (Dee Wallace), a suburban wife and mother having problems with her seemingly idyllic life. Those problems soon pale in comparison when Donna and her son, Tad, (Danny Pintauro) find themselves stranded in their broken-down car, at the secluded farmhouse of a (dead) backyard mechanic, and at the mercy of a rabid Saint Bernard.

The film sticks remarkably close to the source material, with the exception being the ending, which King himself endorsed and recommended be changed, due to the downbeat, no harrowing ending to the book. Anything else that is jettison is something that wouldn't translate well to the screen. What is captured from the novel is the complexity of the character's relationships; the suburban nightmare of a marriage falling apart and the fears it imposes on all three members of the family. The juxtaposition of these fears against the terror of Donna and Tad trapped by Cujo, and her husband Vic (Daniel Hugh-Kelly) not knowing what has become of them, makes every moment a solid, compelling example of how such elements can combine to create tension.

Dee Wallace-Stone delivers one of the most natural, human performances of a mother in trouble (emotionally and literally) to date. While many remember her fine turn in E.T, it is Cujo that affords her the entire spectrum of human emotion, and she runs through every one of them flawlessly. Danny Pintauro, 6 at the time, also delivers a naturalistic performance, seemingly undoable by an actor so young. It's a great shame he was not given the same sort of critical recognition Haley Joel Osment received many years later... because he deserved it. The supporting cast, including Hugh-Kelly, the late Christopher Stone, and the late Ed Lauter are no less spectacular in creating this complicated web of situations that lead to the real terror.

And speaking of, the real star of the picture is the dog (or dogs, as it were) playing Cujo. The filmmakers have mentioned there being great concern over the St. Bernard's ability to be trained to do such complex stunts and acting. But the usually cuddly, albeit massive, creatures took it in their stride, and more than once instil enough fear to make the hardest man leap in his seat. In fact, had audiences of the day put a piece of coal between their butt cheeks, at the end there would have been diamonds aplenty.

Teague, more renowned for cheesy horror like Alligator, poured his love and respect into this picture, and it shows. With no-less-than director Jan DeBont (before he'd Die Hard or find Speed) as his cinematographer, this picture is an inventive class act all the way. The nightmarish, foggy, will-he-won't-he, attack scene has yet to be matched.

The final pat on the back must go to Charles Bernstein, whose score is as evocative and complex as the film itself.

For those who have not seen Cujo yet, maybe fearing it's another cheap and nasty version of King's work, you are envied and encouraged to give it a shot. Turn down the lights, turn up the sound, get a piece of coal, put it between your butt cheeks, and make yourself a diamond. Horror and riches await.

40th Anniversary Edition / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray

Home Video Distributor: Kino Lorber
Available on Blu-ray - October 12, 2021
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

VIDEO

Yeah, it’s not good news. This new scan presents quickly and often with some truly sloppy digital scrubbing, inconsistent grain, and detail obliteration. Fine detail ranges from serviceable to downright fuzzy. Colour timing isn’t bad, and is heightened somewhat by the DOLBY Vision/HDR10, but isn’t significant enough. This is not a video presentation worthy of a 40th anniversary edition at 4K. Truly weak effort from Kino Lorber here. Very disappointing.

AUDIO

You get the same effective, immersive DTS-HD 5.1 and stereo mix from previous releases. Again, this was a chance to up the ante with an ATMOS track. As it stands, one receives a bold and busy surround mix that could have been better, just like the video.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• Commentary One
• Commentary Two
• Commentary Three

Special Features:

I received the American, Region A, 2-Disc 4K/blu-ray set, which is region free (the included blu-ray in this set is region locked). They have reused all of the excellent and generous features from the Eureka release. There really is nothing more you could want from this set in the way of documentaries from surviving contributors. But there’s nothing new. I like the ominous cover art, repeated on the slipcover. Cujo has been the victim of some horrifically amateur cover art in previous home media releases, so in this instance, Kino Lorber did great. Not Eureka cover great, but great. If you don’t own the film already, I recommend this edition, but if you already own the Eureka release from a couple of years ago, I can’t say this is worthwhile upgrade.

• Cujo Revisited
• Dog Days: The Making of Cujo
• Interviews
• Trailers, TV and Radio Spots

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 93 mins
Director: Lewis Teague
Writer: Stephen King; Don Carlos Dunaway; Barbara Turner
Cast: Dee Wallace; Daniel Hugh Kelly; Danny Pintauro
Genre: Horror
Tagline: Now There's a New Name for Terror..
Memorable Movie Quote: "That dog? You couldn't sic that dog on me if I was comin' at you with a straight razor in each hand!"
Theatrical Distributor: Warner Bros.
Official Site:
Release Date: August 12, 1983
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: October 24, 2023.
Synopsis: In this tale of a killer canine, man's best friend turns into his worst enemy. When sweet St. Bernard Cujo is bitten by a bat, he starts behaving oddly and becomes very aggressive. As Cujo morphs into a dangerous beast, he goes on a rampage in a small town.