Willard [Blu-ray]

Director: Glen Morgan Glen Morgan

Overview

A young man uses his vermin pals to exact revenge upon the people who've domineered his life in this remake of the 1971 cult classic. Starring Crispin Glover in the role originated by Bruce Davison, Willard concerns the mundane, repressed existence of the twentysomething title character, who lives at home with his nagging mother (Jackie Burroughs) and works at a shipping company for a stern, authoritarian supervisor (R. Lee Ermey). When Willard becomes fascinated with a gaggle of rats living in his decrepit home, they become both his friends and his aggressors, as he sics them upon anyone who crosses his path. But one rat, Ben, isn't so amenable to Willard's orders, and a horrifying test of wills begins. Willard was brought to the screen for the second time by writer/director Glen Morgan and producer James Wong, who previously worked together on episodes of The X-Files as well as the features Final Destination and The One.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/26/2019
UPC:	0826663195644
Original Release:	2003
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	17,380

Special Features

NEW 2K scan from the original film elements; NEW audio commentary with director Glen Morgan and cinematographer Robert McLachlan; NEW audio commentary with Mark Harden and David Allsberry from Boone's Animals for Hollywood; Audio commentary with Glen Morgan, producer James Wong and actors Crispin Glover and R. Lee Ermey; "The Year of the Rat" - 73-minute documentary on the production; "Rat People: Friends or Foes?"; Music video - "Ben" sung by Crispin Glover, with optional commentary; 12 deleted/alternate scenes with optional commentary; Theatrical trailer; TV spots

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Crispin Glover	Willard
R. Lee Ermey	Mr. Martin
Laura Elena Harring	Cathryn
Jackie Burroughs	Henriette Stiles
Kimberly Patton	Ms. Leach
William S. Taylor	Mr. Garter
Edward Horn	Colquitt
Gus Lynch	George Foxx
Laara Sadiq	Janice Mantis
David Parker	Detective Boxer
Ty Olsson	Officer Salmon
Laura Harrington	Actor
Ashlyn Gere	Actor
Kim McKamy	Actor
Kristen Cloke	Dr. Bludworth
Shirley Walker	Composer

Technical Credits

Glen Morgan

Glen Morgan	Director,Producer,Screenwriter
James Wong	Producer
Richard Brener	Executive Producer
Bill Carraro	Executive Producer
Toby Emmerich	Executive Producer
Bob Comer	Special Effects
Stuart Robertson	Special Effects
John Papsidera	Casting
Coreen Mayrs	Casting
Lou Bollo	Stunts
Heike Brandstatter	Casting
Patrick Ramsey	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

It may not be the breakout hit that earns lead Crispin Glover the recognition he so deserves after toiling away for more than two decades in supporting roles, but director Glen Morgan's updating of the 1971 cult classic nevertheless remains an entertaining effort and an ideal vehicle for Glover's quirky nervous intensity. Stylishly shot by Morgan and cinematographer Robert McLachlan, Willard successfully plays up the lush gothic surroundings in which the eponymous character slowly fades under the watchful eye of his overbearing mother. Encapsulating the essence of a true outsider as few could, audiences are able to sympathize with Glover's character as the hapless loner suffers both at home and at work under the wrath of his barking pit bull of a boss. An interesting choice to play a shrewd businessman given his universally accepted drill-instructor persona, R. Lee Ermey offers an effective performance as a ruthless and greed-driven office tyrant who slowly pushes Willard over the edge in his conniving bid to overpower the family business. As Glover's decent into madness accelerates and his intensity begins to boil over, viewers are offered one of the actor's most memorable and satisfying voyages into unhinged psychosis thus far. His portrayal of his character's relationship with his rats shows a man well versed in the basic politics of business but unable to transfer that keen understanding into a social-based reality. Gradually becoming an animal trapped in his own maze of mental decay, Willard's relationship with the rats offers an interesting and effective parallel to his work environment. Although viewers expecting to be frightened are likely to walk away disappointed, those seeking a dark and quirky study in mental erosion liberally peppered with black humor are in for a neglected treat.

All Movie Guide - Jason Buchanan

In a culture clogged with appropriated effluvia and remake cop-outs, Willard is wittier and nastier than we deserve.

Village Voice - Michael Atkinson

Glover, as usual, is phenomenal. Joel Stein

Time Magazine

It's one of many references to the movie-wise, but a resonant one, for Glover's performance turns out to be shockingly emotional, drawn as daringly close to the bone -- within this story's limited thematic range -- as Anthony Perkins' work in Hitchcock's seminal film.

L.A. Weekly - Chuck Wilson