The Invisible Man (1933) [Blu-ray] Rated:  PG  Starring: Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, William Harrigan, Henry Travers, Una O'Connor, Forrester Harvey, Holmes Herbert, E.E. Clive, Dudley Digges, Harry Stubbs, Donald Stuart, Merle Tottenham. Director: James Whale Genre: Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller DVD Release Date: 10/02/2012 Part of (Universal) Classic Monsters: Essential Collection 9-Movie Blu-ray Boxed Set   Storyline: A scientist turns himself invisible. However, the formula slowly drives him insane, causing him to terrorize the countryside as an invisible killer. Written by Jeremy Lunt Editor's Note: Of all the classics featured in The Essentials Collection, director James Whale's The Invisible Man is the one I've returned to more than any other. Between its innovative, cutting-edge special effects (most of which continue to impress, even some eighty-years after their inception and ambitious execution), Claude Rains' frenetic performance as the oft-unseen, oft-unhinged Dr. Jack Griffin, and Whale's grasp on Griffin's descent into self-destruction and utter insanity, it's the one I can't resist whenever the classic movie monster urge hits. Griffin is a creature's creature; a volatile hybrid of deranged man, scientific monstrosity, otherworldly beast and seemingly unstoppable force. He not only believes everything he says, he's willing to do it, and he'll cackle, shift violently, kill and maim as he sees fit. The mere fact that the good doctor is so unstable makes everyone in his vicinity a potential victim, and with so many would-be corpses in view, tension mounts almost from the start. Whale and screenwriter R.C. Sherriff don't feel the need to open with Griffin's experiment-gone-awry, beginning where other filmmakers of the day would reach by the end of their second act. The film, it turns out, is as unpredictable as its mad monster of a man, and Whale is more than willing to do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Cackle, shift violently, kill, maim. The allure of The Invisible Man is it operates on its monster's rules, not its own. The story serves the beast, and the beast does what it pleases. Cast Notes: Claude Rains (The Invisible Man), Gloria Stuart (Flora Cranley), William Harrigan (Dr. Arthur Kemp), Henry Travers (Dr. Cranley), Una O'Connor (Jenny Hall), Forrester Harvey (Herbert Hall), Holmes Herbert (Chief of Police), E.E. Clive (Const. Jaffers), Dudley Digges (Chief Detective), Harry Stubbs (Inspector Bird), Donald Stuart (Inspector Lane), Merle Tottenham (Millie). IMDb Rating (01/16/13): 7.7/10 from 12,746 users Additional information Copyright:  1933,  Universal Studios Features:  Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed (SD, 35 minutes): The Invisible Man is put under the microscope in this Rudy Behlmer-hosted documentary pulled from the previously released DVD. Behlmer and other film historians and guests (actor Ian McKellen among them) weigh in on the movie and its production (tidbits include H.G. Wells' insistence that Universal stick to his book more than the studio had with Island of Lost Souls), as well as its themes, characters, performances, frights, practical effects and, of course, the monster of a man at the heart of the tale. Audio Commentary: Another Behlmer commentary, another undeniable thorough but unmistakably stocky reading of a pre-written, 71-minute film essay. With so much information to share, it's no wonder Behlmer jotted it all down ahead of time. It's just a shame he reads verbatim rather than referring to notes. Some freedom would make for a more passionate, personable commentary. 100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters (HD, 8 minutes): A who's who of Universal's most recognizable, in some cases immortal characters. And not just classic horror characters either. Production Photographs (SD, 5 minutes): Movie posters, campaign art, production stills and other images. Trailer Gallery (SD, 4 minutes): The Invisible Man Returns and Invisible Agent. Subtitles:  English SDH, Spanish Video:  Widescreen 1.35:1 B&W Screen Resolution: 1080p Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1 Audio:  ENGLISH: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono FRENCH: DTS Mono Time:  1:11 DVD:  # Discs: 1 -- # Shows: 1 UPC:  025192152269 Coding:  [V3.5-A4.0] MPEG-4 AVC D-Box:  No Other:  Producers: Carl Laemmle, Jr; Directors: James Whale; Writers: R.C. Sherriff; running time of 71 minutes; Packaging: Custom Case.