I suspect that this release will be (for those eager to see it at least) welcomed. Its been a long and hard road for TARGETS and the BFI. Announced, cancelled, announced, delayed. Its a testament to those behind the scenes for their perseverance and persuasion, to get it delivered finally. This being said, for some they will ask a simple question, ‘Do I really need to update my previous Criterion release from the US?’. I say this because that Blu Ray appeared at the start of the year and now as the year grinds to an end, we have the BFI finally releasing theirs to us. My simple answer is, sadly no.

First the necessary bit. Byron Orlok (Boris Karloff) is a aging and hoping to retire star. His latest film is another dud and he wants to bid farewell to the limelight. A youthful director (Peter Bogdanovich) hoped he would do one more film, or at the very least a guest appearance at a screening. In the same town, Bobby Thompson (Tim O’Kelly) is an average guy, who went to Vietnam and became disturbed. As he quietly percolates into psychosis, he embarks on a murderous shooting rampage. Killing indiscriminately and maybe finishing with the death of Byron as he makes his  final public appearance.

TARGETS is a potent film. Even now it delivers a punch for its realistic exploration of how many young men came back from a futile war and faced the psychotic decline which their society told them to overcome simply. Bogdanovich, a film lexicon who died recently, worked with the brilliant Polly Platt, with the restraint of Corman. He told them they had two days with Karloff, who owed him and had to use his work. They did just this to craft a commentary on America, its war, psychological state. They also melded in a homage to cinema. Horror, crime, thriller and drama. Turning some of the components on their head. Aided by a performance of empathy and pathos from Karloff, as aged star Orlok (who yes is a name that is an homage to NOSFERATU). TARGETS is exemplary.

The set new 2K is not a match for Criterions 4K. It is simple enough to say this. Visually, the clarity, tone and texture is still great. Its in that interior lit scenes, that feel a little harsher and the end scene still loses something in the visual field. Peter Tonguette commentary is a marvel. He digs deep, looking at Karloff, Bogdanovitch and Platt. There are some details mention I cared little for, like the location stuff but its very good. Peter Bogdanovich commentary and intro are on Criterion and are the same. Sara Karloff interview felt short and a little bitter sweet. While Stephen Jacobs interview is the best extra on the set. He literally wrote the book on Karloff and understands his feeling toward his art, this film and Karloff’s dilemma as he grew more ill at the making. He doubles up in the booklet, which I would recommend reading, if not just because it is a great piece that is a condensed part of his book in many ways.  

• New 2K digital restoration from a 4K scan, supervised by director Peter Bogdanovich and presented in High Definition
• New audio commentary by author and film critic Peter Tonguette
• Audio commentary by Peter Bogdanovich (2003)
• Introduction to the film by Peter Bogdanovich (2003)
• Newly recorded interview with Sara Karloff (2022)
• Newly recorded interview with Stephen Jacobs, author of Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster (2023)
• Video essay by Vic Pratt on Karloff, Targets and the changing face of horror (2023)
• The Guardian Interview: Peter Bogdanovich (2005, c60 mins): the Oscar-nominated writer and director is interviewed on stage by Clive James
• Trailers From Hell: Joe Dante on Targets (3 mins)
• Gallery
• **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring an introduction by Sara Karloff, new writing on the film by Stephen Jacobs and an essay on Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette