I TIVOed this last weekend and watched it last night. I liked the original but I think I actually liked the remake better. Crispin is wonderfully creepy and the supporting characters are really great, not to mention the rats.
Your thoughts?
TEAR 'EM UP!!
I haven't seen it but "killer snakes", the hong kong version of "williard" from the 70's, is a brutal late night classic.
Although I haven't seen the original, I enjoyed the remake, if not for the fact that Crispin Glover is one incredibly creepy man.
On the dvd i have it also has a video clip which I think Glover directed, of the song 'my friend Ben,' equally nutty stuff there.
I saw this film and liked it better than most Academy Award nominated stuff of the same year... which isnt exactly a ringing endorsement. Though the cat's death and Crispin's final battle were cool, you must admit, punturing your boss' car tires is just a lame stunt.
I love Crispin -- Eugene & Ed is a fabulous film -- and love the Bruce Davison original of this sooo much -- but no, never have seen this remake. Guess I have to now . . .
peter johnson/denny crane
This movie is awesome! Crispen's performance in this movie is one of the best I've ever scene. That whole seige scene at the end was great. Such a shame this wasn't a bigger hit.
The original Willard is unavailable anywhere on DVD that I can tell, which is a shame. I understand the actors had peanut butter smeared on them to keep the rat "actors" interested in them. Imagine a 2nd disc with extras, interviews with Borgnine, Davidson, Sondra Locke.
Post Edited (03-01-05 02:29)
I thought this was one of the better remakes--Glover was a perfect choice and R. Lee Ermey was great as the evil boss. I love when Willard tells him "The rats do anything I tell them to do," and he says "Well tell them to get the f**k out of my office!"
Funny little note on that movie... I'm told one of the biggest problems they had with the "actors" is that the rats were constantly having sex. Not sure of the exact numbers, but I think during the weeks of product like 30 new rats were born. Everytime they'd start up, they'd always have to turn the camera away because they weren't sure how the MPAA would rate a film with animal sex in it....
Hehehe...
I still haven't seen the original, but I loved the remake; Glover's performance is flat-out amazing (plus, any movie that can get Crispin Glover's face plastered all over subway stations is OK in my book).
Speaking of Willard, I recently found a great pin at my local record store: It says "WWWD?" with a picture of a rat. It now resides poudly on my lapel. :)
Okay, no, the original is NOT available on DVD -- It IS, however, available pretty widely on plain ol' VHS -- It really is worth seeking out in that format.
I'm sure that Crispin must be marvelous in this, but Bruce Davison, Elsa (Bride of Frankenstein!!) and Ernest Borgnine togther in one film? The acting in the original is a beauty to behold. The underlighting with Davison when he gives the "Tear him up!!" line has to be experienced in any format.
Don't miss a Big Screen showing anywhere if one occurs!
Still have to see the remake -- I'm way behind on everything -- I only just recently saw Return of the Living Dead for the first time. This gives you an idea . . . so much to view . . . so much . . .
braaainnnsss . . .
peter johnson/denny crane
I had forgotten about the peanut butter smeared on the actors, so the rats would "attack" them. Both films were also not orignial screenplays, but based on the novel "The Ratman's Notebook" by Stephen Gilbert.