Rat [DVD] [2000]

The ten-minute ""Behind the Rat"" documentary appended to the DVD of Rat goes into detail about how the rat effects were accomplished, thanks to a pair of unkempt but talented toymakers at the U.K. unit of Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The different cameras built for the project -- including one rigged to a remote-controlled toy car -- are also examined during the production of the film, and Imelda Staunton, a stranger in the U.S. but a significant actress in Britain, is a charming hostess. A second rough-hewn and more brief segment called ""Casting the Rat"" shows how the animal wrangler used a pair of rats to star as Hubert the rodent. Director Steve Barron and Staunton provide running commentary during the film, and they illuminate the production with their insights. The digital transfer from film to disc is nicely rendered and Sir Bob Geldof's score sounds terrific in Dolby Digital 5.1.
: Language:English
: Program Type:Movie
: Screen Format:Enhanced Widescreen for 16x9 TV
: Studio:Universal Studios
: Region Code:1
: Sound Features:Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel
: Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
: Format:DVD
: Product Name:Rat [DVD] [2000]
: Product Tags:DVD
: Subtitles:English
In this Irish fable, a man named Hubert Flynn (Pete Postlethwaite) lives in Dublin and takes pride in his indulgence in beer, gambling, and ignoring his patient wife Conchita (Imelda Staunton). One night, after having a few at the local pub, he slowly begins to evolve into a rat, which has an oddly unenchanting effect on his family. His loving daughter Marietta (Kerry Condon) is all for his new transformation, wanting to shower it with love and care, but she is also in the midst of an impending wedding and wonders if his diminutive appearance might not be acceptable. His son Pius (Andrew Lovern) is headed for the religious order and would rather see him dead. Phelim Spratt (David Wilmot), a greedy, ambitious type, moves into Hubert's bedroom and begins to write an novel of the transformation which he hopes will become a major motion picture. Conchita regards it as yet another of her husband's tricks designed to humiliate her, while Uncle Matt (Frank Kelly) has various theories on why the whole occurrence has taken place. Rat was created with the help of the late Jim Henson's animation company and directed by music video pioneer Steve Barron.~Jason Clark
Name : Imelda Staunton: Role : Conchita
Name : Frank Kelly: Role : Uncle Matt
Name : David Wilmot: Role : Phelim Spratt
Name : Kerry Condon: Role : Marietta
Name : Veronica Duffy: Role : Daisy
Name : Ed Byrne: Role : Rudolph
Name : Niall Toibin: Role : Father Geraldo
Name : Peter Caffrey: Role : Mick the Barman
Name : Geoffrey Palmer: Role : The Doctor
Name : Steven Barron: Role : Director
Name : Alison Owen: Role : Producer
Name : Steven Barron: Role : Producer
Name : Brendan Galvin: Role : Cinematographer
Name : Bob Geldof: Role : Composer (Music Score)
Name : David Yardley: Role : Editor
Name : Mark Geraghty: Role : Production Designer
Name : Brian Henson: Role : Executive Producer
Name : Stephanie Allain: Role : Executive Producer