The Hitcher has been on many collectors’ hit lists for some time, and Second Sight Films has answered our prayers.
This deluxe package is easily the definitive version of Robert Harmon’s iconic chiller, starring in the incomparable Rutger Hauer. I myself hadn’t seen the film until a couple of years ago, but it absolutely blew my socks off, so when I heard it was getting the diamond treatment, my heart sang.
The Hitcher has never looked better, with a meticulous upgrade to 4K, but this is coupled with a package bursting with special features.
There are 3 audio commentaries, including a new one by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, who has previously written an excellent short book on The Hitcher.
The highlights of the special features are the interviews with director Harmon and writer Eric Red, as they detail of the journey from script to screen, with one of the most interesting anecdotes being the near casting of Sam Elliott, as the titular Hitcher. Given the performance of Hauer, this is fascinating but you feel that the film would have become something very different.
Given Hauer is no longer with us, Harmon talks about him with such poignancy, as does C. Thomas Howell (in another segment), which only enhances his performance more; arguably the best of his career.
Harmon doesn’t shy away from the queer reading of the film either, and we find out if this was just happenstance or planned all along.
Any previous fans of The Hitcher will already have this on pre-order, but for anyone who is curious about its legacy, I reiterate that this is the version of the film you should invest in.
The Hitcher is available on Blu-Ray and 4K from Second Sight Films from 30 September 2024.
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