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Brian De Palma's Obsession begins in 1959 with the 10th wedding anniversary celebration for Michael Courtland (Cliff Robertson) and his wife Elizabeth (Genevieve Bujold). They are living happily in New Orleans with their 9-year-old daughter Amy (Wanda Blackman).

That night, Elizabeth and Amy are kidnapped. The ransom is exorbitant (especially for the time): $500,000 in cash. Acting upon the advice of the police, Michael delivers a suitcase filled with paper rather than cash; the police try to close in, but the kidnappers make a run for it, and in the ensuing chaos, the kidnappers and their victims are killed in a fiery car crash, leaving Michael a haunted, guilt-ridden man. He erects a stupendously large memorial tomb to his wife and child, on property that was set to be developed commercially by his firm.

Flash forward 16 years to 1975, and Michael seems to be OK. He's still visits the memorial tomb, which sits isolated and lonely on the large tract of land that was never developed. Michael returns to Florence and revisits the same church where he met his long-lost love. There he spies a young woman who is the spitting image of his dear Elizabeth. He's never gotten over the loss of wife, so naturally he pursues the young woman, named Sandra...

Director: Brian De Palma
Cast: Cliff Robertson, Genevieve Bujold, John Lithgow, Sylvia Kuumba Williams, Wanda Blackman, J. Patrick McNamara, Stanley J. Reyes, Nick Kreiger, Stocker Fontelieu, Don Hood, Andrea Esterhazy
Country: USA
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

DVD9 | NTSC 16:9 | 01:38:05 | 5.17 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English, Francais
Subtitles: English, Francais, Espanol

Extras:
• Obsession Revisited: Interviews with director Brian De Palma, stars Cliff Robertson and Genevieve Bujold and more!
• Theatrical Trailer
• Bonus Trailers
• Filmographies

Brian De Palma's Obsession (1976) Blu-Ray Arrow
~ ~ ~
BD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:38:08 | 43.3 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Obsession Revisited - a wonderful featurette in which director Brian De Palma, actors Cliff Robertson and Genevieve Bujold, producer George Litto, editor Paul Hirsch, and cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond recall their contribution to Obsession. There is an abundance of information here about the various changes that were introduced to Paul Schrader's original script, some of the best sequences in the film, the main characters, the film's music score, etc. In English, not subtitled. (38 min, 1080p).

• Woton's Wake (1962) - an early short film directed by Brian De Palma, with William Finley (Phantom of the Paradise). In black & white. Not subtitled. (28 min, 1080p).

• The Responsive Eye (1966) - an early short film directed by Brian De Palma about the opening night at an exhibition at MOMA in New York. In English, not subtitled. (27 min, 1080p).

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Obsession. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

Brian De Palma's Obsession (1976) Blu-Ray Shout! Factory
~ ~ ~
BD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:38:11 | 41.8 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• NEW Audio Commentary with Author Douglas Keesey (Brian De Palma's Split-Screen: A Life in Film) - Keesey is scripted and speaks in a very slow, deliberative manner. The track contains quite a few gaps and is a lot like an oral recitation of the chapter on Obsession in his book. The content varies somewhat, though, and Keesey splits his time on the commentary between describing the on-screen action and analyzing the film's themes. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW Producing Obsession – An Interview with Producer George Litto (26:19, 1080p) - the very affable Litto is interviewed presumably in his Philadelphia home. He looks back at his circuitous journey as a musician, literary agent (very briefly), Hollywood talent agent, and full-time producer. He recounts how he first worked with De Palma on Sisters and tells how he got involved with Obsession. He share some colorful anecdotes about his meetings with De Palma, Paul Schrader, and Herrmann. Litto has to clear his throat several times before resuming speaking. In English, not subtitled.

• NEW Editing Obsession – An Interview with Editor Paul Hirsch (20:30, 1080p) - this interview gets off to a slow start until Hirsch remembers first becoming aware of De Palma at Universal. The editor recounts "Benny" Herrmann's extreme temperament, POV editing, and challenges he faced while cutting Obsession. In English, not subtitled.

• Obsession Revised (37:31, upconverted to 1080p) - this vintage featurette produced by Laurent Bouzereau was initially found on Columbia Tri-Star's 2001 DVD. It features interviews with director Brian De Palma, Cliff Robertson, and Genevieve Bujold. It's presented in non-anamorphic widescreen and isn't subtitled.

• Theatrical Trailer (1:35, 1080p) - an old trailer reel for Obsession that shows the normal wear and tear.

• Radio Spots (0:59) - five brief radio spots that Columbia broadcast in 1976 when Obsession went in general release.

• Still Gallery (6:17, 1080p) - eighty-four images comprised of black-and-white and color still photos, lobby cards, and poster sheets from US and several international ad campaigns.