Evil Dead (Book of the Dead Edition)

Anchor Bay : Horror : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : AC3 5.1, DTS 5.1, AC3 2.0 : Rated R : DVD-9 : PAL : 1983 : 82 mins

The Film
The auteur horror film of the 80's (although started in '79), Evil Dead still stands out for it's energy and bravado. Shot on a shoestring over a number of years, this wild and often humorous film set a benchmark that few managed to meet for the rest of the decade (for one who did rise to the challenge, the my Re-Animator review). A group of college kids head into the woods to spend the weekend at an old cabin. They find a tape recorder, and upon playing back it's contents release an ancient demon. Possession, axes, chainsaws, wierd voices and oversexed trees all play their part in this 82 minute rollercoaster of a film. It has so far spawned two sequels (Evil Dead 2 - Dead by Dawn, a virtual remake of the original, and Army of Darkness). Bruce Campbell attained cult status through his portrayal of Ash in this and the subsequent films, and has turned up in some role on all of Sam's films since.

The DVD
OK. This is a special one. Yes, the disk is the same as the special edition released to locals stores. Two commentaries (one from director Sam Raimi and producer Bob Tappert, one from Bruce Campbell), an informative making of which tells the story of how it got sold and became a cult hit, a Bruce Campbell documentary of the wierd life of fans, trailer etc. The print has been THX'd, and while soft and grainy in parts, is the best it has ever looked. Certainly better than any of the numerous VHS versions I have owned over the years. The audio has also be remixed, and comes as a DTS, AC3 5.1 or Pro-logic mix. While the surround is nice, and punches up the volume, it's not the most immersive mix ever laid down. So what makes this special ? This edition is the Book of the Dead edition. Instead of the standard amray case, you get a latex bound book of the dead from the film. Inside are copies of the original Tom Sullivan art work from the film version of the book, a blurb from Tom, a mini book on the history of the film, and the DVD itself. Very cool. Thsi can be found in a few import and mainstream stores, to shop around or put it on order. If you are a fan, you gotta have it. (Note : there is no region 4 release of this edition. The import edition is region 2, so make sure you can play it)

Film : 5 / 5 (this is perfect horror) DVD 4.5 / 5

Re-Animator (Millennium Edition)

DVD Australia : Horror : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : AC3 5.1, DTS 5.1, AC3 2.0 mono : Rated R : DVD-9 : NTSC : 1985 : 86 mins

The Film
This is a seminal horror film from the 80's. To date the best adaption of a H. P. Lovecraft story, this is a wild and adventurous little film. Shot on a low budget with mostly unknown actors, and a first time director and producer, Re-Animator gets by on smart writing, clever special effects, and sheer audacity. This ranks along side the original Evil Dead for guts and glory film making - what the best 80's horror was all about. Herbert West brings the dead back to life, but they aren't always as grateful as you'd expect.

The DVD
This is how it's meant to be done. A 2 disk set exploding with goodies. First, disk one has a new print, spit-shined by the THX process. You have never seen it look so good. This is accompanied by a DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix, as well as the original 2 channel mono track. Then you get two commentaries, the first with Brian Yuzna (Producer), the second with Stuart Gordon (co-writer/director) and the main cast. To top it all off, an isolated 5.1 mix of the music track. And this is just disk one. Disk two kicks of with a deleted scene and 16 extended scenes. These add a little more character, as well as an entire sub-plot regarding Dr. Hill's power of mind control (which explains some of the strange shots left in the film). There are a series of extended interviews and discussions with the producer and director, the writer, and the composer. These are low key affairs, shot over a coffee, but have respectable running times and divulge a lot of behind the scenes information. Patience is a virtue in this case. Finally it rounds off with the usual trailer, photo gallery and bios. This is what DVD is meant to be.

Note to Australian distributors - this was out in the states for over 12 months before anyone picked it up here, and then it was released at an outrageous price. I got mine for less than half on import long before the local release.

Film : 4.5 / 5 DVD : 4.5 / 5

A follow up. This year (2008), Starz Home Entertainment pickup the local distribution rights to Re-Animator for the Anchor Bay edition. While it contains effectively the same package as the Millennium Edition, including the same basic print (although PAL this time), audio tracks, commentaries and extras, it also bundles a new, 70 minute documentary "Re-Animator Resurrectus". Every living member of the cast and many of the crew participate to recall the making of this landmark horror film.

Even if you have the Millennium Edition, it is worth digging this one out of the budget bin, just for the new doco.

Film : 4.5 / 5 DVD : 5 / 5

Gorky Park

MGM : Thriller : 1.78 (Anamorphic) : 1.0 mono : Rated M : DVD-9 : PAL : 1983 : 123 mins

The Film
Directed by Michael Apted from a Dennis Potter script from a Martin Cruz Smith novel, this is a solid thriller. Lee Marvin, in one of his last roles, plays it tough in his scenes, but for the most part it is William Hurt and a predominantly British cast that carry the film. While there is nothing particularly memorable about the film, there is little to fault it either. It is what it is.

The DVD
Like the US release, this disk is bereft of extras. Even a director's commentary would have been nice. The Australian release is also given a single channel mono audio track, whereas the US got a 2 channel stereo track. Why ? The case say that the disk is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85, however it is resolutely 1.78. Is this the next level of appeasment to the anti-widescreen luddites ? I hope this does not become a trend. Aside from that, we do have a good, solid transfer. Minimal grain, nice colours, a little noise in some of the snow scenes, but it looks good for a 20+ year-old film. The audio, while single channel, is clear and serviceable.

Film : 3 / 5 Disk : 3 / 5

Hammer Horror Collection (MRA Entertainment)

MRA / Hammer Films : Horror : 1.85 (Anamorphic) : 2.0 mono : Rated R : DVD-5 : PAL : 1971 : 84 mins, 85 mins, 83 mins

The Film
This is the second box set of Hammer films. The first being the Warner release of the original Frankenstein, Dracula and Mummy films. The Warner release showed Hammer at the beginning of it's reign as horror king. This new boxset, from budget outfit MRA, finds Hammer at the end of it's reign. The three films, Vampire Circus, Hands of the Ripper and Twins of Evil, show that Hammer was not going to go down without a fight. Vampire Circus breathes new life into the vampire myth, while also including some of the more gory violence that Hammer's competiters were using. A strong entry into a dying cycle. Hands of the Ripper is one of the top three Ripper based films, the others being Bob Clarke's Murder by Decree, and Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde. Intelligent, and carefully directed by Peter Sasdy. The last in the box is Twins of Evil, the last of the so-called Karnstein Trilogy. While Peter Cushing is as strong as ever, this is the weakest of the trilogy, and the weakest in the box. All-in-all, a great collection, especially as it is a snap-shot of Hammer at a point in time (all three films were made is 1971).

The DVD
All three disks have been sourced from pretty clean material. The audio is functional, and allows Hammer's usual bombastic soundtrack enough room to move. Given the originals were mono, who is to complain. The colour is good and even throughout. Hands of the ripper is perhaps a little soft, but this is preferable to it being over sharpened. Grain is reasonable for the time. Each disk has a trailer for the film included.

This release shows that a budget outfit can deliver the goods. MRA Entertainment should be proud of what they have done here, and Force Entertainment should sit up and take notice.

Film : 4 / 5 DVD : 4 / 5

Andy Warhol Presents Flesh for Frankenstein

Force Entertainment : Horror : 2.35 (Letterbox) : Mono : Rated R : DVD-5 : PAL : 1973 : 95 mins

The Film
Flesh for Frankenstein was the first of two very camp horror movies to come out of the Warhol stable. The second, Blood for Dracula (naturally) was a more polished affair, but this one is not without it's charms. In FFF, the Baron is now a mad Serbian, attempting to start a new Serbian super race by mating hiw two perfect creations. Incest, sex, violence and really poor acting all play a part in the insanity of the proceedings. Originally filmed using a 3D process, so endless shots of entrails being thrust oddly toward the camera add to the charm.

The DVD
Unfortunately, Force Entertainment have produced one of the poorest DVDs I have ever viewed. Aside from the 1.0 mono audio, and the blatant lie on the cover (this is not a 16:9 release), the visual quality looks like the disk was sourced from a 16mm print, compressed with Xvid by a monkey, then decompressed and resized for DVD release. Force Entertainment have so far managed one good release (the 2 disk edition of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and one middling release (the uncut version of the under-rated American Gothic, Dead and Buried). This release shows that TCM was the exception that proves the rule - Force Entertainment are crap. There are no extras on the disk..

That this is the first time the un-cut version has been released in Australia making the very poor quality of this release even more unforgiveable.

Film : 3.5 / 5 DVD : 0 / 5