Like most novels penned by horror maestro Stephen King, his killer car novel Christine was turned into a feature film by another horror maestro  John Carpenter.
In 1983, Christine hit the streets....err I mean screen and did for automobiles, what Jaws did for swimming.  It certainly makes you think twice before getting onto any automobile, and probably wouldn't be a bad movie to use for the next stranger danger lesson at primary school.

Arty Cunningham (Keith Gordon) is the biggest geek at school and is frequently picked on by the school bullies.
One day after school, Arty and his best friend Dennis(John Stockwell) stumble across a crappy old beaten up 1958 Plymouth
Arty is instantly seduced by the car and without hesitation, buys it from the old man whose brother once owned it. 
Against his parents wishes, Arty has Christine cleaned up into tip top shape in no time.
As his obsession with Christine develops his personally changed drastically and he soon rebels against his parents more so, alienates himself from his best friend and more and more turns on his new girlfriend Leigh(baywatch's Alexandra Paul)
With the new Arty making quite an impression, the school bullies take to Christine one night and return her close to the state arty found her in. 
Soon after Christine is "rebuilt" the school bullies are picked off one by one at the wheels of Christine.
But is this the doing of the Car itself, or that of Arty??

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??
Before seeing this DVD I really wasn't expecting all that much from the video department.  But boy was I wrong.  Given this movie was shot over 15 years ago, the transfer is fantastic.  Presented in it's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, this 16:9 Enhanced picture is near perfect.  On occasions there was evidence of aliasing, (generally on car grills and such), but that's about the only place you could see it.   The print this DVD was sourced from must have been immaculate as there is very little sign of grain and dirt flecks.  To look at Christine on DVD you'd be heard pressed to think this was made over 15 years ago.  Thought the style is the only give away.  Columbia should be commended for delivering such a fine picture

On the audio side of things, it's pretty unimpressive.   no 5.1 audio mix here I'm afraid, just the original stereo sound delivered in a Dolby Digital 2.1 (surround) track.  Most of the sound is centre channel focused, with some use of the left and right channels, but it sounded a little out of place, as the steering of the sound didn't quite match the on screen action, though it's not that frequent and only shows up now and then.  The simple yet effective music works well for the movie, and the "golden oldies" are worked in very well to the onscreen action, but having recently heard what happens when another JC classic is remixed into 5.1, it's a pity we're not treated to the same thing with this DVD.

While I may have been blown away by the great picture quality, and only just content with the audio, the extras department really let me down.  
If you're the sort of person who is impressed with the inclusion of subtitles and Filmographies only, then this is the DVD for you.  I was quite surprised that even a theatrical trailer was omitted.

Any fan of JC's or King's work will most likely jump at this DVD, and given the fantastic picture quality alone, it won't disappoint...just don't expect much else, expect the most frequent use of the "c" word ever used in a single film i'd say.

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717  (using RGB outputs)
Receiver: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
     Fronts: B&W 602
     Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
     Rears: Jamo Magic 14
     Subby: M&K V125 

- reviewed 7th November 1999