Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #598 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-11-02
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Dimensions: 1.20 pounds
• Running time: 108 minutes

From Amazon.com
A mixed bag that received mixed reviews when released in 1994, this lavish film works overtime to honor the spirit and style of the vintage pulp novels and radio shows that made The Shadow a household name in the 1930s and '40s. Alec Baldwin plays the Shadow, a.k.a. Lamont Cranston, who arrives in New York from his decadent life in Tibet, fully reformed and disciplined in his ability "to cloud men's minds." A crime fighter who lurks in the dark recesses of the city, the Shadow faces his most deadly challenge when Shiwan Khan (John Lone), the last surviving descendant of Genghis Khan, hatches a plot to conquer the world. The scheme involves a madman (Tim Curry), a hapless scientist (Ian McKellen), and various traps designed to catch and kill the Shadow, who must also contend with his blossoming romance with Margo Lane (Penelope Ann Miller), a slender beauty capable of a little mind play of her own. The movie's art deco production design turns out to be a scene-stealer when the plot drags, and in the title role Baldwin is never given enough good material to create a compelling character. Still, The Shadow is true to the legacy that inspired it, admirably avoiding any conspicuous compromise of its 1930s style and setting. If you can't get into the story, you're sure to be hooked by the look of the production, which is never less than dazzling. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
A crime fighter created in the 1930s and popularized in movies, pulp novels, and a radio show starring a young Orson Welles, The Shadow came back to life in 1994 in this slick, well-cast production. Alec Baldwin stars as Lamont Cranston, a murderous opium dealer reformed by a Tibetan mystic, who teaches him how to use his keen mental powers to manipulate others. As penance for his past misdeeds, Cranston masquerades as a degenerate New York City playboy by day and secretly plays the heroic Shadow by night, staving off evildoers with a network of agents and a cab-driving sidekick (Peter Boyle). A greater challenge arrives when Cranston must fight Shiwan Khan (John Lone), the final descendent of Genghis Khan, who has received training from the same Tibetan master who instructed Cranston. Shiwan plans to use atomic weapons to take over New York and then the world. At the same time, Cranston meets socialite Margo Lane (Penelope Ann Miller), and, although he's instantly enamored of her, he discovers that her psychic abilities render his secret identity vulnerable. The Shadow was directed by former music video creator Russell Mulcahy, whose feature film debut Highlander (1986) was a cult classic. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

DVD Menu

• Language Selection
  • Spoken Language
    • English
    • French
  • Captions and Subtitles
    • Captioned for the Hearing Impaired
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Subtitles
      • Spanish
• Play

Customer Reviews

For the Widescreen fans.
While I am a widescreen lover. It should be noted that The Shadow was originally filmed in FULL FRAME. The intended Aspect ratio for theater was 1:85.1 the full image was matted for theaterical release. So your not really losing any image like you normally would. This was also done with the Batman films.
While widescreen will always rule wether you lose picture or not ( Due to the fact that theaterical/Directors presentation is what matters more) it's important to let people know who would like to own this film on DVD that the issue is not that bad.
1. It's Full Frame not Pan Scaned ( Your not missing any image)
If you must have the widescreen image make your own 1:85.1 mats.
2. It probably won't be re-released by Universal any time soon.
Poor Box office and Vhs/Dvd sales are to blame. Although it would be nice to see an Universal ULTIMIT EDITION 2 disc set featuring box Matted and Full Frame versions with extras.
3. This edition is almost out of print.

fun from the get go
i thought his was a great movie all around.Alec Baldwin was a great
choice to play the The Shadow/Lamont Cranston.Penelope Ann Miller is
also good as his sometimes sidekick Margo Lane.and Peter Boyle is
hilarious as Moe Shrevnitz,the Shadow's personal taxi driver. the movie
moves along at a good pace and i never found it boring.i'm not sure,but
i think it sticks pretty close to its source material.Russel
Mulcahy(Resident Evil:Extinction)directed the movie.for me,this movie
is just all around fun from start to finish.but i also liked the look
of the film.i think they put a lot of effort into recreating the 1930's
look and atmosphere,and for the life of me,i can't figure out why it
wasn't very well received.anyway,for me The Shadow is a strong 4/5.

What Evil Lurks in the Heart of Men...The Shadow Knows!
"The Shadow" was a popular radio program (before television sets were made for the home). It began on the Dectective Story Hour on July 31, 1930 as a character in the story. James La Curto was the voice 1930-31 and then Frank Readick Jr (1931-37), Orson Welles (1937-38), Bill Johnstone (1938-43), Bret Morrison in 1943, John Archer in 1944 and Bret Morrison again in 1945-54. The last radio program of "The Shadow" was broadcast December 26, 1954.
Two motion picutres were made with Rod La Rocque as "Lamont Cranston"/"The Shadow", THE SHADOW STRIKES (1937), INTERNATIONAL CRIME (1938). They also made a movie serial in 1940. In 1958, Richard Derr played the role in INVISIBLE AVENGER (1958).
In 1994, they tried to resurrect the character of "Lamont Cranston" with Alec Baldwin in "THE SHADOW" (1994). Imagine the Invisible Man and Kung Fu in the land of film noir. And oh yes, the rainy mist and full moon. While on a case searching for the chinese and there taste for opium, Lamont is captured by the "emperor". He is spared and taught mystical powers. he is now able to continue finding and fighting the crooks and keeping his own identity a secret.
Also in the cast: Johnathan Winters, John Lone, Penelope Ann Miller, Ian McKellen and Tim Curry.
No extras, no bonuses on this DVD.