You’ll definitely want to pick up The Hitcher (1986) as the classic thriller slasher gets the full Limited Edition overhaul from experts in the field Second Sight Films. They present a brand-new restored 4K version from the original camera negative supervised and approved by director Robert Harmon, that’s is out now.

Lets first focus on the film, a huge hit on VHS in the 80s The Hitcher quickly became a go to film for film fans like me. A gritty action thriller (which often people class as a horror film) that has one of the best Rutger Hauer performances on screen (and that’s a great list that also includes Blade Runner, Wedlock, Split Second, and many more) and such a simple premise ‘driver picks up a hitch hiker who turns out to be crazy’ but far from just a simple film. Over the years I have seen The Hitcher dozens of times, whether its on a TV broadcast, VHS rental, or DVD its a film I never tire of watching and so I was very excited not only to be able to check The Hitcher out on a restored bluray, but also at the thought of a ton of special features that are on the disc. In total there are around 4 and a half hours of extras, and that’s not even taking into account the three commentaries that will take you through pretty much every aspect of the films production. After spending a near full weekend of going through these special features I then rewatched the film through very different eyes and noticed a lot of things that I hadn’t really noticed over the years when watching the film. The extras on this bluray set are truly a masterclass in the world of The Hitcher. Whilst I dont want to give myself the painful task of coming up with a ‘Best Second Sight Films Release’ list (as they are all pretty amazing to be honest) I think that IF I did come up with a Top List. The Hitcher would definitely be on that list. For a film i’ve seen a lot over the years and on many formats. The Second Sight Films release is easily the best I have ever seen The Hitcher look.

The Limited set is presented in a stunning collector’s package with new artwork by Adam Stothard and a 200-page hardback book. All three versions come complete with a truckload of special features including new interviews and a new commentary plus tons of archive material, two short films and much more.

Special Features

A new 4K restoration by Second Sight Films from the original camera negative supervised and
approved by director Robert Harmon.

UHD presented in HDR with Dolby Vision and also features Dolby Atmos and also the original stereo audio mixes

There’s a new audio commentary by Australian film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas who will take you deep into the world of The Hitcher.

The Audio commentary with Robert Harmon and writer Eric Red is perhaps my favourite chat track on the disc and takes you through the genesis of the story, and of course with Director Robert Harmon on the track, you learn about the films production and completion.

There’s also a scene-specific audio commentary with Robert Harmon, Eric Red, Executive Producer Edward S
Feldman, Composer Mark Isham, Director of Photography John Seale and Actors Rutger Hauer and C
Thomas Howell. This was an interesting chat track that understandably jumps around a bit, due to it being scene specific and so its not the full film this is played over but still- its great to listen to these cast and crew members sharing their memories about the film. Its also worth notice that this full commentary runs for around 52 minutes.

Whilst this isn’t a chat track, it does place over the film and runs for around the full movie length Its an episode of The Projection Booth Podcast and features Robert Harmon and Rutger Hauer. Great listen!

Bullseye: a new interview with Robert Harmon (41 minutes)

Penning the Ripper: a new interview with Eric Red (41 minutes)

Doomed to Live: a new interview with C Thomas Howell (28 minutes)

The Man from Oz: a new interview with John Seale (10 minutes)

A Very Formative Score: a new interview with Mark Isham (15 minutes)

Duel Runner: Leigh Singer on the evolution of The Hitcher and Rutger Hauer (20 minutes)

China Lake: a short film by Robert Harmon newly restored (35 minutes) This is a 1983 film (filmed in 1981) starring Charles Napier and William Sanderson and tells the story of a police officer on vacation who travels around on his motorcycle targeting nearby occupants of and travelers through China Lake. Its a good short film and its great that its included in this bluray release.

The Calling Card: Robert Harmon on China Lake (15 minutes)

Telephone: a short film by Eric Red (26 minutes) Stars Laurie Lathem as an emotionally-distraught and suicidal woman who dials a random telephone number and gets a lonely man on the phone (played by Bud Cort) . With pistol in hand, she threatens to kill herself over the phone unless he can talk her out of it within one minute.

The Hitcher: How do these movies get made? (38 minutes)

Trailers

Limited Edition Contents

Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Adam Stothard

200-page hardback book with exclusive Robert Harmon interview by Lou Thomas, exclusive Eric Red
interview by Matt Thrift, new essays by Heather Drain, David Kittredge, Craig Ian Mann, Rebecca
McCallum, Meagan Navarro and Jon Towlson

Eric Red’s original screenplay book

Six collectors’ art cards

All in all, The Hitcher is one of the best releases that ive seen this year and whilst the sheer amount of special features and commentary information on the disc means its not exactly a single nights viewing. Trust Me! By the time you work your way through all the features- youll be a Hitcher expert!