Synopsis:

Invisibility! Just think of the power! A scientist intent on pushing the limits of science develops an element that when applied renders the object or person…invisible! The problem is that prolonged exposure to this invisible agent drives the wearer insane. Realizing his predicament, he seeks solace in a remote town currently besieged by a blizzard. He needs time to develop the reverse of what he's created. There must be a way back, but time is something he is in very short supply of. The Invisible Man is probably the best horror classic ever made as it employs not only the needed pulse for a film of this genre but, it also utilizes the elements of comedy and drama to weave the perfect tale. It doesn't hurt that Claude Raines as the Invisible Man is exceptionally well cast and plays the role perfectly! In any event, The Invisible Man while trying to find a cure for his invisibility, is drawn into the madness, his condition creates. So instead of a sane man seeking a cure, he becomes a madman seeking to control the world! Awesome stuff!

Audio/Video:

The audio platform used for all of these features is mono. However, you'll not miss a beat. It still conveys the same tone and thrill the film has done for almost 70 years! The Video for The Invisible Man has a great deal more scratches and flecking than I have noticed in the balance of the entire Classic Monsters Collection. And as par for the course the film is presented in it's original full frame format. Even with the scratches and other transfer errors (hairs, specks of black and white…etc.) it's still a tremendous presentation. For a film that's 67 years old and still viable, I'm just glad to have it on disc. Really, the nicks and scratches in the print do not at all take away from the film in any way.

Extras:

An hour long documentary entitled "Now you see him: the Invisible Man revealed", looks into the making of this cinematic classic. It has all the information you could ever need about this incredible piece of filmmaking. There are interviews with just about everybody associated in any sense to the film or it's cast members. As with all the Universal Classic Monsters in this collections. A Commentary track is provided for the feature. This time with historian Rudy Behlmer. I must confess, I've not been a fan of the commentary tracks for these films. Largely because of the rehash of info available in the documentary that's also provided. But mainly because, the commentary track IMHO detracts from the overall feel of the film and quite frankly, I'm not all that interested in anecdotal humor as told to a friend of a friend of a friend of the actor's cousin! Of course I am exaggerating to a degree but you get my meaning. That's not too say that the tracks are without any merit whatsoever. They do enlighten you as to cast changes, script revisions, shooting changes and the like. For that information they are invaluable. I think though that, you will have to be in the mood to listen to the track as they are almost always scripted and "read" by the historian throughout the whole of the picture. It can get a bit tedious. Production stills, notes and the cast and crew bios round out the extras for the Invisible Man.

Overall:

The invisible Man is definitely a hallmark of achievement in the horror genre. It encompasses so many different film elements and still manages to thrill 70 years later. Several sequels were spawned by the success of this picture featuring some of the greatest talent to ever hit the screen. Namely, Vincent Price & Sir Cedric Hardwick. Both well acquainted with horror/Sci-Fi. I cannot recommend this film enough! It has everything a great film needs to succeed and then some! Collector's edition.