A time capsule of 1970’s New York City, Night of the Juggler is unapologetically sleazy, featuring a car chase that takes up nearly twenty minutes of the film, gangland violence, and a lengthy sequence in a porno joint. A troubled production, John Frankenheimer, was originally slated to direct, but Sidney J. Furie had taken over by the time filming began. After star James Brolin broke several toes during production, Furie left, to be replaced by Robert Butler, known for his work on episodic television. The result was a film heavy on sleaze and light on character development.
Demented psycho Gus Soltic (Cliff Gorman) has a plan to kidnap the teenage daughter of a wealthy real estate developer whom he blames for the deterioration of his apartment building. Things go sideways when he accidentally kidnaps the wrong girl. She’s Kathy Boyd (Abby Bluestone) the much-loved child of ex-cop Sean Boyd (Brolin) who witnesses the kidnapping, He vows to do whatever it takes to get his daughter back. Hindering his one one-man crusade is bad cop Sgt, Barnes (Dan Hedaya) who has a serious bone to pick with Sean.
Brolin wears a fixed snarl as he traverses the city, getting into fist fights when necessary, and seeking out a prostitute who may have important information. Cliff Gorman is the perfect villain, always sweating, eyes bulging. The action takes place on the grimy city streets that no longer exist. Anyone who fondly remembers 1970’s New York should give Night of the Juggler a look. James Brolin does a good job being full on pissed, God bless anyone who crosses him. While any real character development is absent, there’s lots of scene chewing by supporting actors that are flat out fun. Amid all this grimy disrepute is Richard S. Castellano as Lt. Tonelli, an honest cop trying to do the right thing.
Kino Lorber’s 4K release is as being from “a brand new Dolby Vision master, from a 35mm Original Camera Negative.” The result is a fine transfer that provides an authentic look of New York City in the late 1970’s.the grindhouse look of everything is excellent. A nice level of film grain and inky blacks add to the authentic feel. Primaries are vivid throughout. Clarity and depth are strong throughout. There are no scratches or other anomalies, the image is crisp. HDR adds to the realistic look of the proceedings.
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The 5.1 track offers a restored listening experience. Well spread out, the urban sounds are realistic. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise. There are no notable anomalies.
English SDH subtitles are available.
The following extras are included:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- NEW!! Audio Commentary by Film Historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson
- Summer of ‘78: NEW Interview with Actor James Brolin
- The Sweet Maria: NEW Interview with Actress Julie Carmen
- Pandemonium Reflex: An Inquest into Sidney J. Furie’s Night of the Juggler
- Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)