Samuel LoveIf you’re a fan of Second Sight Films’ work – and if you even have the slightest interest in physical media, you should be – then you’ll know that 1986 cult thriller The Hitcher has been on its way for a long, long time. Second Sight have earned a reputation as the best home ent. label for good reason; the heart and soul they pour into everything they do is unparalleled. It’s no slight to say that most of their releases come with unexpected delays – but this is always welcomed, because fans know that the Second Sight team would never, ever put out a product until it was perfect. The Hitcher is perhaps the finest example of this to date.
This release has perhaps been their longest-gestating yet – a social media post in August last year stated restoration was complete and a release looked like February 2024 at the earliest. (Along the way – from initial leaks, through announcements and all of the restoration and beyond, Second Sight provided insight and update across their socials. I do strongly encourage following because no other label communicates with their customers like them.)
Anyway, here we are, August 2024 – a year after that post – and The Hitcher has arrived. Second Sight are now pretty well-known for these big chunky boxsets of cult films, and there has long been a struggle (at least, in my mind) for what you could call their ‘best’ release. There’s now no doubt in my mind. This release of The Hitcher is something truly special – the years that have gone into its production are strongly felt across every part of it. Housed within the rigid case you’ll find an exhaustive hardback book of essays and insight, a paperback book of the film’s screenplay, collector’s art cards, and the incredible film on Blu-ray and 4K UHD looking and sounding breathtaking in its new restoration. Longtime followers of our unboxings here at FilmJuice will know that I wax lyrical about Second Sight Films, but for good reason – nobody does it like them. The Hitcher feels like their masterpiece, encapsulating everything they do well in one flawless, lavish package. And yet, the last few years shows us that Second Sight always push themselves and never settle – so if this is what they’re capable of now, then we’re in for an embarrassment of riches as they continue to spoil us with their work. Long live physical media, and long live Second Sight Films.
Here’s a closer look at The Hitcher.
Synopsis
A would-be samaritan picks up a hitchhiker and soon discovers the man is a relentless serial killer. Framed by the cold-blooded murderer for a string of slayings, his only help comes from a caring waitress as they attempt to flee from both the law and the hitcher.
Special Features
- A new 4K restoration by Second Sight Films from the original camera negative supervised and approved by Director Robert Harmon
- UHD presented in HDR with Dolby Vision
- Features Dolby Atmos and original stereo audio mixes
- New audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Audio commentary with Robert Harmon and Writer Eric Red
- Scene specific audio commentary with Robert Harmon, Eric Red, Executive Producer Edward S Feldman, Composer Mark Isham, Director of Photography John Seale and Actors Rutger Hauer and C Thomas Howell
- The Projection Booth Podcast: featuring Robert Harmon and Rutger Hauer
- Bullseye: a new interview with Robert Harmon (41 Minutes)
- Penning the Ripper: a new interview with Eric Red (41 Minutes)
- Doomed to Live: a new interview with C Thomas Howell (28 Minutes)
- The Man from Oz: a new interview with John Seale (10 Minutes)
- A Very Formative Score: a new interview with Mark Isham (15 Minutes)
- Duel Runner: Leigh Singer on the evolution of The Hitcher and Rutger Hauer (20 Minutes)
- China Lake: a short film by Robert Harmon newly restored (35 Minutes)
- The Calling Card: Robert Harmon on China Lake (15 Minutes)
- Telephone: a short film by Eric Red (26 Minutes)
- The Hitcher: How do these movies get made? (38 Minutes)
- Trailers (5 Minutes)
Limited Edition Contents
- Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Adam Stothard
- 200-page hardback book with exclusive Robert Harmon interview by Lou Thomas, exclusive Eric Red interview by Matthew Thrift, new essays by Heather Drain, David Kittredge, Craig Ian Mann, Rebecca McCallum, Meagan Navarro and Jon Towlson, archival Fangoria article and Behind the Scenes photo gallery
- Eric Red’s original screenplay book
- 6 collectors’ art cards
THE HITCHER is available on Blu-ray, 4K UHD, and 4K UHD Limited Edition from Second Sight Films
