RAT FINK (1965) Limited Edition Blu-Ray

nihilism (n.) "the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless."Is "Rat Fink" for you? Do you enjoy thoroughly fleshed-out characters, a coherent narrative, and good music? Then probably not. However, if, like me, films like "Wild Guitar" and "Blast-Off Girls" were visceral, formative experiences in your life, then you just might appreciate this exercise in existential anarchy. This film springboards off the aforementioned trope: hick kid bums his way to Hollywood and makes the big time. In "Rat Fink", however, our protagonist (?) is the parasitic sociopath, exploiting everyone who crosses his path and killing anyone who stands in his way. Director James Landis's pedigree helming "The Sadist" has a distinct influence on the tone and cadence of this movie, and cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond's brilliant use of lighting elevates the production quality light years beyond it's budget limitations.One aspect I find fascinating about "Rat Fink" is the moment in the evolution of pop music that serves as it's backdrop. Unlike the pre-Beatles paint-by-numbers surf-inflected rock of Arch Hall Jr. or the earnestly inept garage-band flavor of The Faded Blue, Schuyler Hayden's character Lonnie Price strikes Billboard gold during the folk-rock craze of 1965. As such, his "hit" single reflects the period where the fusion of Pete Seeger sensibility and Henry Mancini lounge were in vogue. I'm not sure if Hayden did his own vocals, but I struggle to envision a modern world where his character's restrained, nasal vocal delivery would find any widespread favor. But, apparently, in 1965, two or more aspiring filmmakers agreed that this style could convince audiences it had the potential to make teenage girls cream themselves silly.

Following on the heels of the home video release of PRIVATE PROPERTY (1960) last year, here comes another long thought-lost psychodrama from the 1960's. This film depicts a psychotic folk-rocker who will stop at nothing to clear all obstacles from his path to musical stardom in Hollywood. If you can imagine a thematic combination of two other low-budget B&W films from that era, namely WILD GUITAR and THE SADIST, then you'll know what to expect.Like PRIVATE PROPERTY, RAT FINK played a few drive-in theaters and adults-only art houses before leaving the marketplace for over 50 years. The only known surviving 35mm print was discovered recently in a warehouse, and has yielded this Blu-ray. The disc's image is very good overall, with only occasional distractions such as print scratches or reel change markers. Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography is striking, particularly in violent scenes. There's also some cool rock 'n' roll instrumental music on the soundtrack that accompanies the demented musician's trip to oblivion.Aside from the fine widescreen transfer of the film, there are some brief supplements. There's a short, narrated featurette that shows some movie theater ads for the film under its various titles: RAT FINK, WILD AND WILLING, and MY SOUL RUNS NAKED. There's also a 35mm trailer preview that uses the WILD AND WILLING alternate title. Additionally, there's an 8 minute interview segment that features the daughter of RAT FINK'S lead actor Schuyler Hayden discussing her father's own troubled life.Those who love low-budget, B&W, envelope-pushing exploitation films from the sixties would probably find a lot to enjoy here. Personally, I never expected to see this film resurface anywhere.

Great movie!

Pretty good and dark...he burns a guy alive in the first 10 minutes. Well made for a low budget 60's movie. Schuyler was a good actor. Give it a watch.

Maybe it wasnt lost,and should have stayed in the warehouse. This movie is horrible,waste of money. Choppy,seems like scenes are missing.The fire scene makes no sense.How did he get gas ,and then pour it in the car with no container. Then to compare his looks to Warren Beatty? More like Anthony Perkins. The dubbed singing isnt rock in roll, what a dud. I like b-movies like year zero,the sadist and night tide eerie and creepy with good cinematography. thanks