Welcome back to Dark Corners Physical Media Reviews. In this article, we delve into Imprint's new heavyweight box set release of Michael Mann's epic catastrophe, 'The Keep'. This film is notorious for its production challenges, overshadowing its achievements. The box set includes Ian McKellen's first major Hollywood role, although his performance faced challenges too.
McKellen had prepared a Romanian accent for his character, which he had to switch to a Chicago accent unexpectedly. The box set itself is lavish, with an epic-sized design featuring a heavy metal cross from the film, turning the film’s important symbols into your home decor.
The set includes numerous elements, like the comic book adaptation by F. Paul Wilson, which shows how the film diverged from its original vision. The film's production involved filming in a stunning North Wales location, which contributes to its visual appeal, despite narrative issues due to severe editing.
Initially intended as a 3.5-hour film, Paramount cut it to two hours, then further to 90 minutes, leaving a film marked by continuity gaps and incomplete storytelling. While visually rich, the film's narrative was compromised.
Despite these issues, the package offers comprehensive behind-the-scenes insights and a feature-length documentary on the making of 'The Keep'. Interviews and expert commentary provide context into the chaotic production, though director Michael Mann, who disowned the film, is notably absent from the extras.
The box set, filled with archival materials and historical context, is a collector's piece for anyone intrigued by the film's potential and tumultuous development. Even without a full director's cut, it’s a definitive collection for fans and film historians alike.