Eraserhead [DVD]

I remember watching this surreal head trip of a film for the first time when I was a child when it was shown on channel 4 sometime in the eighties and the experience never left me. It is one of those films that whenever I revisit it, I always respond to it in a different way. Sometimes I will be able to interpret the meaning of the story and the imagery so that it makes sense, other times I find it really funny or deeply unsettling, or both at the same time. Whatever it’s true meaning, it remains a fascinating and truly original work of art, and it was a no brainier obtaining it on Blu ray.On watching for the umpteenth time, it struck me as being about a man, Henry, who is internally resisting the pull of commitment, with a child in tow, whilst being in conflict with his repressed sexual inclinations. When it all reaches a head (no pun intended), he ultimately chooses to erase the parts of his life which are leading him to the brink of quiet despair. Others may interpret it differently, but that is one of the many commendable qualities of it. Other notable elements are the direction, the industrial soundtrack and sound design overall, the production design and art direction, and all the actors involved; in particular, Jack Nance as the beleaguered Henry.Over 40 years later, Eraserhead still packs a twisted and bizarre punch to the brain, in spite of it’s low budget. Everything about it marks it out as one of the most distinctive films of the seventies, and is arguably one of David Lynch’s best films as well as being one of the best directorial debuts ever made. The Blu ray is all the more worth acquiring because of the inclusion of some of Lynch’s early works, as well as a great transfer of the film itself.A Midnight Movie Classic and a must watch. Highly recommended.

There is simply nothing else quite like this film.I love Tod Browning, Dwain Esper, Ed Wood jr, John Walters.Jan Svankmajer etcThis is of that realm in my mind.I've watched it 4 times in 30 years and I think it's meant to be an exercise into making the viewer never wanting to have children EVER!I never want to hear what Lynchs thoughts or motives were when making this and nor would I ever want to hear what 'experts' make of it.I have a friend that took a first date to see this at the pictures.This is, possibly, the ballsiest thing that anyone I know has ever done.Anyway this is an absolute unique Cinema classic.

This was the most disturbing but thought provoking at the same time. I think that if you see this and automatically think its weird for the sake of being weird then you didn't understand it all that well. I think there are many different things this could be about.these are my theories1: Henry is actually having a nightmare about his soon to be born child.2: it is set in some sort of future nuclear apocalypse that would explain the depressing broken down industrial setting.3:Henry is a just a very depressed man with insomnia that hallucinates the strange visions.4: !!!SPOILER!!! at the end of the film when Henry meets the lady in the radiator and she sings in heaven she is persuading henry it is alright to put his suffering child's life to an end.5: !!!SPOILER!!! at the end when henry meet the lady in the radiator and you see his head fall out of the sky that could be henry as he committed suicide out of grief of killing his deformed baby.overall you can see how interesting and I have left out how the constant sounds of the factories making huge noises and his radiator hissing it will get in your head and it makes you understand Henrys situation it also adds so much more atmosphere.The film is so depressing that when his baby finally eats and him and his wife smile it fills you with a good feeling.I cannot wait to see other films by David lynch if they are this brilliant I may have a new favourite director.the blu ray picture quality is amazing as always.

I watched Eraserhead for the very first time about a week ago. When I briefly left my flat immediately afterwards, I felt distant and sedated. I ran a few errands in a shuffling daze and felt strangely uneasy about everything and everyone around me.Such is the state that this kind of film can induce. As other reviewers have already remarked, Eraserhead has a disturbing dreamlike quality that taps into many subconscious themes. I almost feel now as though I didn't in fact watch the film, but actually dreamt about it. Those horrible images of the premature lizard-baby...the way it breathed and its eye followed Henry around the room. All of these images keep coming back to me, either in sudden flashes at my desk at work or when I'm in bed at night. The puff-cheeked lady in the radiator, in her transfixed elation, came across as truly evil. I was very interested to read that another viewer interprets her presence as a representation of suicide.Just as a side note - did anyone notice that the zig-zag carpet in the foyer of Henry's flat complex is the same design as the Red Room that Cooper dreams about in Twin Peaks? I thought that was a really interesting insight into recurring Lynchian motifs.

Like some other reviewers, I first saw this film in the early 70s as part of a degree course. Dark, disturbing, nightmare –but what is it all about? Do not try to analyse, rather take it in as an assault on the mind. Strong visual images with great camera shots, bizarre and unexpected behaviour. Not so much horror as challenging.

You've got to see this film at least once in your life. OK, it will probably only be once, but you won't forget it! I'd seen part of it on TV many years ago and had always be curious about the whole film. Now my curiosity is sated.