The Stuntman is a decidedly distinctive and original early 80’s film, which blends elements of dark comedy, film-making satire, psychological thriller, drama and action film. It regards a on-the-run fugitive, who literally stumbles onto the set of a film, a seasoned director who may/ may not be mad. The movie is a wonderfully tonal shifting affair, which is constantly batting back and forth between the real ‘n’ unreal and serious drama ‘n’ comedy, making for a head-spinning, unpredictable yet entertaining ride.  Here from Radiance Films TX sublabel is a dual Blu Ray & UHD release of the film- featuring a 4k scan, new and archive commentary tracks/ extras.

The Stuntman is a US production from the year 1980- it was filmed in several locations across California and Canada. It was directed/ co-written by New York-born Richard Rush. It was based on the 1970’s novel of the same name by Paul Brodeur.

Between the early  60’s and mid  90’s, Mr Rush had twelve features to his name. These took in psychedelic rock band drama Psych-Out (1968), dark comedy/ buddy cop cross blend Freebie and the Bean ( 1974), and erotic crime thriller Colour Of Night (1994).

From the off, the two-hour and eleven-minute film really pulls you in, with its cleverly shifting camera work. As we follow the plight of bearded/raggy-haired fugitive Cameron(Steve Railsback) as he moves from playing a pinball machine in a diner, being handcuffed, running through the woods/ losing his handcuffs, nearly being ploughed down by a vintage car on a wooden bridge, before looking over a very real-looking beach shot massacre.

Before the cops can catch up with Cameron, he bumps into the film's director Eli Cross( Peter O’Toole) a seasoned/ respected director, who has a vision/ likes taking risks, and may well be totally bonkers. Fairly soon, local police chief Dave( Alex Rocco) appears on the set of Eli’s WWI action film, and we find out the vintage car that dodged Cameron/ careered into the river had a stunt driver in, who’s believed dead, and they're going to open an investigation. Thinking on his feet Eli, says the stuntman is very much alive, pointing towards Cameon.

As the film unfolds, Charles  Eli becomes quite taken by Cameron, first changing his look/identity by shaving off his beard/ dying his hair, then getting initially put-out stunt coordinator Chuck(Charles Bail) to train him to be a real stunt man.

Also added into the mix, we have the film within the film leading lady Nina( Barbara Hershey), and always moaning that his script has been changed writer Sam( Allen Garfield). 

As Cameron's skills/ fearless manner grows he undertakes more elaborate/ dangerous/ plain mad stunts. Going from a lengthy bullets fly by roof side chases, onto doing a Charleston while drinking champagne on the wing of a by plane, etc.

All the time, what Cameron has really done is hidden, as roadblocks are set up to capture him, police chief Dave sniffs around, and the crew/ cast get nervous about the criminal on set. And   Cameron himself starts to get twitchy, wondering if the director has lost his marbles & want’s to kill him.

The film wonderfully darts in and out of the reality of the WWI film, and the 1980’s set, with the two often becoming blurred in wonderful and surprising manners.

Both Railsback and O’Toole give great cards-against-their-chests performances, as you truly don’t know what each character is capable of, really right up until the end of the film. The supporting cast is very good too- nicely supporting the wonderful sense of unpredictability.

The Stuntman is a nicely unbalancing romp of a film, which constantly keeps you on your toes.

The release takes in a new 4k scan- this is nicely bright and bold in its presentation, as well as having a good mix between dialogue and music.  On the extras side, we get a decent selection of things, though mostly on the archive end.

New extras take in a commentary track from critics Christina Newland and Monica Castillo. They begin by declaring that the film is both amazing, weird, and thoughtful- and that director  Richard Rush was an unconventional story teller, with us getting a brief bio of his output. They touch on a few differences between the novel and the film, and say that the film doesn’t feel its length, as there’s always something keeping you hooked. We find out the footage around the hotel in the film was shot in San Deigo, and that Charles Bail was a real stunt coordinator. They talk about how O’Toole is debolically charming, and that he got a acdemdy award for his role. Later on they talk about how  O’Toole  and Railsback worked well together. How it got mixed reviews when it was released, and more. The track was entertaining enough for one play, though I’m not sure I learnt much.

Otherwise, on the new side of things, we get an interview with Chuck Bail, stuntman and actor(10.06).  

On the archive side, we have the following: The Sinister Saga of The Stuntman ( 1 hour 54 min). Cast and crew commentary with writer/director Richard Rush and actors Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback, Barbara Hershey, Alex Rocco, Sharon Farrell and Chuck Bail. The manic career of  Richard Rush( 34.18). Peter O’Toole interview (18.46). The Devils Squadron- interview with Steve Railsback and Alex Rocco(18.56). interview with Barbara Hershey(14.23). Q+A with Richard Rush, Steve Railsback and Barbara Hershey from a screening at The New Beverly Cinema(17.18). Deleted scenes( 5.55), and trailer.

The finished release comes with a forty-page perfect-bound book featuring new writing from Adam Nayman and Brandon Streussnig, and an archival interview between Kenneth Turan and Richard Rush.

I was thoroughly taken by The Stuntman as it manages the not-so-easy balancing of different genres- like dark comedy, film-making satire, psychological thriller, drama and action.  This new Radiance Films TX release features a lovely 4k scan and good selection of extras- both new and archival.