Christine: Limited Edition Blu-ray review

New UK label Indicator races into pole position with a deluxe release of this '80s auto-terror

Forget Herbie. When it comes to autonomous automobiles they don't come any better than Christine. This demon-fuelled, blood-red 1958 Plymouth Fury is the star of John Carpenter's slick 1983 movie adaptation of the Stephen King novel about a high school nerd (Keith Gordon) whose life is turned around when he becomes her latest owner. Trouble is, Christine has a mind of her own and is a very jealous lady…

Picture: This UK release of Christine is based on the same 2K restoration that has already served as the basis of Blu-ray editions in several other territories. Without having all of the different versions to hand, it's impossible to say that this release outpaces them all, but compared to Sony's own German disc, Indicator's AVC 2.40:1 1080p encode shows a slight uptick in grain structure and contrast.
Picture rating: 4.5/5

Audio: The disc includes both an LPCM 2.0 version of the film's original stereo track, plus a DTS-HD MA 5.1 upgrade. While we'd typically recommend the former in these instances, the surround remix works rather well, with some improved atmospheric effects and extra bass rumble from Christine's engine.
Audio rating: 4.5/5

Extras: The commentary by Carpenter and star Keith Gordon, three-part Making of… (48 minutes) and 20 deleted scenes from the old DVD are all present and correct. Joining them on Indicator's Blu-ray are an isolated LPCM 2.0 presentation of Carpenter's score, two trailers, two TV spots and a gallery of 33 photos.

Limited to 5,000 copies, the release comes bundled with a 24-page booklet featuring a new essay on the film and an archival 1996 article in which Carpenter picks his cinematic guilty pleasures.
Extras rating: 3.5/5

We say: Top-notch visuals and audio make this UK debut for Carpenter's chiller well worth a drive

Christine: Limited Edition, Indicator, All-region BD & R0 DVD, £23
HCC VERDICT: 4/5

X