When a baby alligator is flushed down a toilet and grows into a 20ft beast in the sewers, you know you've got the recipe for movie magic. Not only does this cult classic offer suspense, it's witty with it too. Partnered with the sequel as a two-disc Special Edition release, this is a DVD creature feature delight.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Picture Given the age and low budget of the feature, it transfers to DVD with a rather impressive picture. The colour depth and detail are both good, although there's some minor grain and print damage, but that really only adds to the charm.

Sound You get the luxury of choosing between a Dolby 5.1 mix, or DTS ES track, with additional information for the rear centre speaker (if you have one). Both mixes are quite effective, with dialogue kept firmly to the front, although you may want to turn down the rear speakers a little as some of the ambient effects are a little unnatural.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Audio Commentary This commentary track is worth the price of the DVD alone, as you get director Lewis Teague and star Robert Forster. Both get on very well and their conversation will prove a delight to US B-movie buffs.

The development and special effects of the film are discussed in detail, and some of the tricks of the trade are revealed. Most interesting is that baby alligators are in perfect proportion, even as babies. That makes them ideal for use in horror films as you can let them loose on model effects, like rampaging through a town, for very little money.

Additional Extra Features Also on disc one are well-written film notes, cast and crew biographies, and trailers for both the "Alligator" films.

Disc Two On disc two you'll find "Alligator II".

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: 2
Chapters: 18
Ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 and DTS 5.1 ES
Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles: None
Captions: None
Menus: Animated, with music
Special Features Subtitles: None of the special features come with subtitles.

This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.