Theatrical Release Date: USA, 2011
Directors: Tom Mattera, David Mazzoni
Writer: Harrison Smith
Cast: Tara Reid, Cloris Leachman, Tommy Lee Wallace, Brian Anthony Wilson, Joshua Ormond, Karen Ludwig, Faust Checho

DVD released: August 27th, 2012
Approximate running time: 95 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English, Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Arrow Films
Region Coding: Region 2 PAL (UK)
Retail Price: £12.99

Synopsis: After witnessing his father pull a shotgun on his mother. A young boy is sent to live with his grandparents, who live on a remote farm with vast corn field. What starts out as an idyllic getaway with his grandparents. Quickly turns deadly, when a hostile unseen force in the corn fields wreaks havoc on his grandparents home.

Content wise, The Fields is a retro vibe 1970′s horror film. That throws one of America’s most notorious killers Charles Manson in the mix for good measure. And while such mixing of real life persona’s within a fictional story is a very difficult to pull off. The way in which these two elements are blended actually works very well in the story at hand.

Also is should be pointed out that while this film leans heavily towards the horror film genre. The first two thirds of the film often fall into the melodrama category and it is not until this films final act that it fully realizes its horror roots. With that being said, anyone expecting a bloody horror should look elsewhere. Since the horror that occurs in this film relies more atmosphere and not gruesome imagery.

Performance wise, the cast are all merely adequate in their respective roles. With no performance standing out more than any other. The cast does a trio of familiar faces, Tara Reid (American Pie) in the role of the young boys alcoholic mother, Cloris Leachman (Young Frankenstein) in the role of his nitpicking grandmother and filmmaker Tommy Lee Wallace (Halloween III: Season of the Witch) in a minor role as a bar patron.

Overall though the premise for this film is ripe with possibilities. The end result is a middle of the road horror film that at times feels to timid to go in for the kill.

The DVD:

Arrow Video presents The Fields in an anamorphic widescreen that retains the film’s intended aspect ratio. Colors and flesh tones look accurate, details look crisp and there are no problems with compression.

This release comes with two audio options, a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in English and a Dolby Digital Stereo mix in English. Both audio mixes sound clear and balanced throughout. Also the more ambient aspects of the soundtrack are well represented in both audio mixes.

Extras are limited to a trailer for The Shrine. Overall The Fields gets a strong audio / video presentation from Arrow Video.