Second Sight, out October 30

Musophobes beware, this ratty double-bill of early 70s horror features gets a Blu-Ray UK premiere just in time for Halloween, available as a box set or individual releases.

Lauded as the movie that launched the fad in animal predator horror movies, I don’t think that 1971’s Willard is quite the predecessor of Jaws that it would like to think it is, but when a cast features Ernest Borgnine, Elsa Lanchester and a young Sondra Locke, it can’t help but grab your attention. Bruce Davison is loner Willard Stiles, who cracks when the bullying by his family and workmates gets too much for him and he turns to a mischief of rats (that’s the correct collective noun) to seek revenge.

The movie never feels like anything but a generic, low budget exploitation flick, but did enough box office to get a sequel into production for release the next year. The 4k scan from original camera negative is impressive, supported by both an audio commentary and interview with Bruce (X-Men) Davison, trailer, tv and radio spot and stills.

Sequel Ben (which had a new HD transfer) picks up five minutes before the end of Willard and then follows child Lee (Burnt Offerings) Montgomery as he adopts the eponymous Ben and his rat pack. It’s really more of the same, with some added pyro effects to set the screen ablaze. It’s less effective than Willard, treading the same ground but with a younger lead, and in truth isn’t really that scary unless you’ve got a fear of rodents. Again, there’s an interview and commentary with the star, as well as trailer, tv and radio spot and stills. The movie also has the distinction of being Academy-Award Nominated for its title song, sung by Michael Jackson (it lost out to The Poseidon Adventure’s The Morning After.

Verdict: The audio commentaries are fun and Willard is a beautiful transfer, but fun facts aside (rats will do anything for peanut butter) these are unremarkable features that were best watched at a drive-in or in the late-night horror slot on your regional TV station. 7/10

Nick Joy