This Blu-ray Steelbook from Lionsgate is now available exclusively at Walmart.
I’ll be honest right off the bat in that I have a bit of a soft spot for The Gate. Released in 1987, this PG-13 chiller is one of those horror titles designed with tweens and teens in mind and, for some, served as an introduction to the genre. What’s special about this particular feature is that it actually features some very creepy elements and worked so efficiently that it developed a cult following over the years. The movie’s fanbase includes those, like myself, who were the target demographic when it came out, as well as newer generations of youngsters who have caught up with the picture on cable and streaming platforms (or, naturally, through their parents).
Some years ago, Lionsgate released the movie on Blu-ray as part of their “Vestron Video Collector’s Series” line. In fact, it was the 8th title in the series. The disc quickly went out-of-print and has been hard to come by for years now. Thankfully, Lionsgate is rereleasing the disc (it’s exactly the same one that was put out in 2017) and presenting it in new “Steelbook” packaging. Anyone who remembers the picture will certainly enjoy this disc, as well as the impressively rendered casing that has been added.
In case you haven’t seen it, the movie is set almost entirely within a suburban house. The story involves 12-year-old Glen (Stephen Dorff, in his debut feature) and his 15-year-old sister, Alexandra (Christa Denton). Glen spends most of his time playing in the yard with neighborhood pal and heavy metal enthusiast Terry (Louis Tripp), who is struggling with his mom’s and dad’s divorce. One night, a tree out back is struck by lightning and a strange hole opens beneath. After listening to an LP in which heavy metal band “Sacrifyx” describe the return of demons and minions to our world, Terry warns his disbelieving friend about what may be occurring. When the siblings’ parents (Scott Denton and Deborah Grover) head out of town for the weekend, Alexandra throws a big party and Glen invites Terry over.Surprisingly for them (but not the audience), the very creatures described in the record begin attacking the kids and their friends.
One of the great benefits of the picture is its young cast. Everyone starring in the picture actually looks and acts like a real kid. Stephen Dorff would eventually become a very well-known performer with major roles in Judgment Night, Backbeat, City of Industry, Blade, World Trade Center, Botched, Public Enemies and more, but all of the cast are solid and deliver believable performances. The themes are also subtle and well-handled. Much of the film is devoted to the shy young Glen finding his inner courage, he and Alexandra finding support in each other during a crisis, and to some extent friend Terry’s way of dealing with the separation of his parents. Thankfully, none of it is blunt and is merely hinted at within the framework of the story.
As mentioned, this picture was made for a younger audience and was initially criticized by some reviewers for not being scary enough. Yet it is actually far more intense than it was given credit for. It’s a perfect introductory horror picture with plenty of memorable shocks. The single setting helps create some sense of claustrophobia. Forced perspective, practical make-up effects and old-fashioned filmmaking techniques are used in a surprisingly effective manner. The tiny minions and the main demon that appear in the film look remarkably and, in many respects, more appealing than today’s CGI. Another highlight comes in a great zombie-like figure who breaks out of the house’s walls and hunts the kids.
But arguably the most memorable scene in the film involves Glen and Alexandra’s parents unexpectedly appearing at the door. Of course, they aren’t who they appear to be, with the father memorably shouting “You’ve been bad!” and attempting to strangle the son. When Glen pushes his arms into his dad’s face, the visage apart in a gooey mess, falling on the ground with a splat. No youngster in the world who seems that bit is likely to forget that scene and you would never see something like it today in a kid-friendly horror picture.
Overall, the movie has a nightmare-like quality (don’t expect too much logical reasoning for some of the craziness, the demons and minions are simply using their supernatural gifts to shock and manipulate the kids), the young cast are decent in it, and the picture possesses plenty of old-school horror charm.
The picture quality on this release is the best that is currently available. Due to the frequent use of optical effects and camera tricks, the movie’s image quality has always been a little grainy. Overall, the appearance is perfectly acceptable and I’m not even sure that a 4K restoration would sharpen or improve things dramatically (although I would be happy to be proven wrong at some point in the future).
I think that the extras on the disc are the main selling point on the disc. They are absolutely incredible and worth the purchase. There is an informative commentary track with director Tibor Takacs (I, Madman), writer Michael Nankin and the Special effects designer and supervisor Randall Willaim Cook, who go over all of the challenges of making the movie. Takacs is a Central European-born Canadian who grew up watching foreign and arthouse pictures, which explains how the kid’s flick ended up with an, at times, very surprisingly surreal tone.
Additionally, there is a second track with Cook, the effects artists and matte photographer that go into even more detail on putting all of the elaborate effects work together. They are just as if not more interesting to listen to. Viewers learn about Cook building oversized sets and putting humans in rubber minion suits, shooting their plates and then inserting these images into the rest of the frame with the kids (shot separately), all in order to make the monsters look small. The amount of work done on such a small budget is staggering.
As if that wasn’t enough of a bonus, there is a third track with the effective score and an interview with the composers between each cue.
The numerous featurettes are also lengthy and great to listen to. You’ll get more details on the various technical aspects of the production and how things came together. One of the best is the “Made in Canada” spot which, in about 30 minutes, offers a general overview of the production through the memories of various cast and crew members, as well as a producer. This was an overly ambitious Canadian project that was budgeted at $5 million CDN (roughly a bit less than $4 million US) and, after being shocked that their proposal was accepted, everyone quickly realized that they were in over their heads.
Many stories are relayed about working absurdly long hours and barely being able to stay awake. Apparently, the young cast (who were kids) were difficult to wrangle, adding more stress for the crew. Another interviewee notes that Terry’s jean jacket was actually their own. She simply gave it to the actor to wear in the film. This coat has a large patch for the “Killer Dwarfs”, a Canadian metal band whose music wasn’t used in the picture (but if you’re curious about their music, check out “Keep the Spirit Alive” on Youtube). It seems everyone on set was young and learning the business as they dealt with each daily problem.
They also note that this little low-budget film was actually a box-office hit at the North American box office. They all seem honored that the picture is well-remembered and something of a cult item. It’s a very amusing series of stories and a great memorial to the picture.
Additionally, the disc includes a storyboard gallery, behind-the-scenes still gallery, an original teaser, theatrical trailer and TV spot. There are literally hours of bonuses included and anyone who enjoys the film will be thoroughly entertained by them.
The Gate is an ambitious and ultimately effective little B-movie that made its mark in the minds of young horror fans and still does today. This Blu-ray is full of great extras and comes with wonderful new “Steelbook” packaging that will look great on any collector’s shelf. Be sure to pick the release up if you get the opportunity.