Rating: 
Summary: Underrated and refreshing vampire flick
Review: Director Tony Scott's (in his directorial debut) unique visual flair is the highlight of this early 80's film which takes a different look at vampires. David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve play John and Miriam; a luxurious vampire couple who prey upon young club-goers for blood, but when John begins to age rapidly (yes, vampires can age as well as walk in the sunlight in this film), Miriam finds a new mate in a scientist John had met who is studying the aging process (Susan Sarandon). The Hunger isn't your usual vampire flick, but that is quite a good thing here and is part of what makes The Hunger so unique. The film is horrifying, erotic, tragic, and darkly humerous sometimes all at once, and those looking for a different kind of horror or vampire film should definitely check this film out.
Rating: 
Summary: A bloody failure of a film
Review: I approached this movie with astronomically high expectations. (The mere thought of a vampire movie starring David Bowie was enough to warm the cockles of my black little gothic-glam heart.) I was not disappointed ... at first."The Hunger" boasts one of the most stylish, sexy opening sequences I have ever seen. Peter Murphy sings "Bela Lugosi's Dead" ... stereotypical, tarty wannabe goths sway in a smoky '80s bar. ... and a duo of vampires slice their naked victims to ribbons with razor sharp ankhs. One would be hard-pressed to find a cooler five minutes of film. Sadly, everything plummets downhill shortly after the opening credits. The concept of an immortal whose lovers rapidly age after three hundred years of youth is intriguing, but the movie moves at a pace that is not just slow -- it is IMPERCEPTIBLE. Much of "The Hunger" is dialogue-free ... action-free ... plot-free ... it's torturous. The film may shot with artistry, but man can not live by cinematography alone. The movie's only virture is David Bowie's captivating performance as the androgynous, elegant John -- proof positive that the man CAN act. Unfortunately, Bowie's time on the screen is short -- far too short. (I spent the second half of the movie longing for his return.) After his departure, Catherine Deneuve -- who infuses her character with so little emotion that she is incapable of holding the viewer's sympathy or interest -- can't prevent the film from capsizing under the weight of a weak plot and an abysmal script. An uninspired dose of garden-variety soft-porn in the form of a blurry lesbian encounter with Susan Sarandon brings nothing to the film. To put it bluntly, this is a BAD, thoroughly unenjoyable movie. Avoid it ... or fast forward through every frame that doesn't feature Bowie.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally
Review: I have not actually watched the DVD yet but I have the widescreen VHS tape, and have been waiting for a long time for the DVD....this has been a favorite of mine for many years. This review is for those who have seen the movie and already know they like it...I was very pleased to finally see it in widescreen again, after watching the 'pan and scan' version from TV or VHS for so long. I was amazed at how much the widescreen version opened up the scenes, showed more of the interiors, etc...and how butchered the edited for TV version really is. If you like this movie, widescreen is a must! I am looking forward to the commentary.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting art concept with terrific lighting.....
Review: Its been over 20 years since I last seen this film. It still
retains its strangeness, quite a different style of film making
but it came out in the earlier 80's and the video craze was taken off so I can understand where it was coming from. It has
many great shots thanks to the wonderful lighting and music through out. Catherine Deneuve is an underated beauty and steals
any scene shes in. This is one of Bowies best, the two night
prowl for victims and give another twist on the vampire legend with the Egyptian mini daggers that takes the place of fangs??
Susan Sarandon took some chances on this movie, but I've always liked her
style, she doesn't give a crap about the hollywood lifestyle,
she just likes to act and this was a brave great earlier vehicle for her talents. The movie makes its way slowly but
its interesting all the same, moody, sensual, highly erotic scenes, pretty wild stuff for 83' but you can't even show
a boob anymore without people flippin out?? Full of great angle shots from above this movie was a groundbreaker even though the critcs pretty much hated it, I thought it was well
worth checking out for the whole arty stuff going on.
I wonder how Alfred Hitchcock would have improved this one?
Rating:
Summary: What the FCUK took so long to get thie on DVD?
Review: Now I can finally see this as clearly as it should be seen and I can also see what all of the music is that was not included on the soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: A True Dark delight!!!!!
Review: Oh this is one sweet DVD. It's great this movie came out on DVD. You will love this movie even more on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: A bloody good movie!
Review: Recently purchased my own copy of one my favourite films of the 80's.Thought at first it might have lost some of its'edge but soon realized "The Hunger" gets better every time I watch it.Tony Scotts directing debut was panned by critics and a box office bomb,which I could never really understand.To me the direction,cinematography and score are all truly sumptous.The film now quite deservedly is recieveing the recognition and semi-cult status that it deserves.Don't get me wrong 'The Hunger' is not for everyone.Slasher fans will be dissappointed,there's really not that much blood,perverts and voyers will be too as the sex scenes are tastefull,erotic and too essential to the story to be exploitive.After 18 years the pace of the film again may have many switching off or fast fowarding.This would be a great mistake,you have to 'watch'The Hunger,it is a mini masterpiece.Possibly ahead of its time'I have yet to see an equal within the genre.Bowie is great,Deneuve and Sarandon are the sexiest couple of bloodsuckers you'll ever see,From Pete Murphy's opening scene to the shocking close,The Hunger needs and deserves your full and undivided attention.It gets better with age,a modern classic
Rating:
Summary: Cult classic vampire flick
Review: Sink your teeth into this cult classic that should have made it to DVD a long time ago....still stylish 20 years after its release. May seem dated today, especially after films such as the adaptations of Anne Rice's classics, but the vampiric lovemaking and lesbian/vampire relationships were shocking at the time of its release. An attractive cast, especially the timelessly beautiful Catherine Deneuve, make this a must-have for fang fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Did I miss something? This is a vampire story, right?
Review: The editorial review was spot on about the beuaty of this tale being on the surface. Actresses Sarandon and Deneuve looked fabulous as did Bowie. The settings and scenery were visually appealing as well. The story, however, desired more than just pretty things to look at. Choppy, disconnected, and slighty irritating to follow, I kept getting confused once I thought I had finally caught up. Was this supposed to be a hip, modern take on the vampire mythos? Was it supposed to have a classic, operatic feel to it? Why, exactly, is David Bowie aging so rapidly? How is it Sarandon dies in one scene and then is alive in the next at the end? Nothing seemed linear and nothing was explained. I'm one who doesn't need a lot of exposition when watching a movie, but at least give me something to work with. There were too many things left unexplained (such as the wierd ending) and too many things that were unnecessary (such as the amount of time spent on the subject of progeria and the lab animals when none of that related to the main plot - so Sarandon was a doctor conducting experiments, you don't need 15-30 minutes to get that across). I know this may have been a vampire romance, but it seemed more erotic and lusty than romantic and gothic. I'll take "Interview with the Vampire" over 'The Hunger' anytime. "Interveiw" is linear and it eaxplains the characters past and motives. Perhaps someone could do a remake of "The Hunger" and gives a little more background other than one scene flashbacks...and cut out the surrealist dreamscape of an ending that left me scratching my head. The 3 stars go to the visually appealing settings and to Sarandon.
Rating:
Summary: Vamp It Up
Review: The Hunger is a film that's notable on several fronts. Not the least of which is the fact that it was action director Tony Scott's first film, adding to the mix an eclectic cast, and a production with a very 80's flavor. Based on the novel by Whitley Strieber, who also wrote Wolfen, the end result is a stylized and free spirited film that is a cult classic.
A chic, stylish Manhattan couple teaches music by day and feeds on humans at night. The radiant and beautiful Miriam (Catherine Deneuve) is a 2000 year old vampire who gave John (David Bowie) the gift of eternal life hundreds of years ago, choosing him as her lover and companion. Soon though, Miriam finds herself drawn to Dr. Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon), a specialist in premature aging--helping John as he unexpectingly begins to age very rapidly. Sarah is soon Miriam's new lover, and finds herself faced with making the most difficult choice of a lifetime.
What strikes me most about the film is the way Scott uses the vampire mythos to tell his story. It's not as though he runs away from the legend, but, he doesn't exactly hit you over the head with it either. It's a vampire tale that relies on the strength of the unique relationship of the between Miriam, John, and Sarah, rather than blood guts or gore. While I am a fan of that kind of stuff--it's nice to see someone go another route for a change. At times, the film shows us, that Scott is new at this, but Bowie's unique presence makes that not as big of an issue. And may I say, Deneuve and Sarandon make quite a pair in their own right...
The DVD has a solid audio commentary track with Scott and Sarandon--giving listeners nice tidbits about the production and technical stuff about how it came together. A still gallery and the theatrical trailer tops off the disc's bonus material.
The Hunger showcases a first time director getting his feet wet in the waters of feature films and the glitz of a decade... All of which makes for a recommended cult classic.
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