Under the Volcano (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

Product Description ------------------- A boozing ex-British consulate, his estranged wife and his half-brother suffer in a private hell in Cuernavaca, Mexico, 1939, on "El Dia de los Muertos" (The Day of the Dead). from Malcolm Lowry's 1947 novel. Academy Award Nominations: 2, including Best Actor-Albert Finney. Director John Huston Star Albert Finney, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Andrews, Katy Jurado Special Features: Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital Mono - English Additional Release Materials: Audio Commentary - Michael Fitzgerald, Wieland Schulz-Keil, Moritz Berman - Producers Featurettes - 1. "Notes from UNDER THE VOLCANO" 2. "Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry" Interviews - 1. Jacqueline Bisset - Star 2. Guy Gallo - Screenplay 3. John Huston - Director (1984, Audio) Trailers - Theatrical Trailer Runtime: 112 minutes Year of Release: 1984. .com ---- The Criterion Collection release of Under The Volcano reaffirms director John Huston's affinity for tragedies starring outcasts and wayward souls (see also The Misfits and Night of the Iguana). Adapted from Malcolm Lowry's novel set in Cuernavaca, Mexico, 1938, on the eve of WW II, Under The Volcano recounts the tragic life of British Consul Geoffrey Firmin's (Albert Finney) final struggles with alcoholism during Day of the Dead, as his estranged wife, Yvonne (Jaqueline Bisset) returns from New York to patch up their marriage and to encourage his sobering up. From the opening scene, Firmin is relentlessly drunk, mumbling Shakespearean-like rants with a dark sense of humor about the horrors of war and the perils of love. Finney's stunning performance recalls the best of Richard Burton (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), who was originally offered the role. Fortunately for the viewer, Finney was cast, as his compellingly dour portrayal of Firmin is undeniably masterful. Set in bars, restaurants, and amongst the plaza's Dia de los Muertos festivities featuring devils and skeletons alongside garlands and balloons, Under The Volcano's visual splendor underscores the decadence of Finney's drinking habit. There is not a single missing a bottle of liquor, and as Finney's deteriorates the weather in the film subtly mimics his psychological state. The film is as wondrous as it is devastating. Included as extras on this DVD are the Richard Burton-narrated "Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life of Malcolm Lowry," a captivating documentary about the author's life, and an hour-long documentary about the making of the film. --Trinie Dalton

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