Unhinged (1982)

[drownsoda]

Any fans of this slasher flick? Bad acting aside, I love the synth score and the moody atmosphere. It was basically filmed in my backyard—I grew up visiting the mansion where it was filmed, which is a museum now. Code Red released a double-feature DVD with Murder Run that I managed to nab some years ago, and I have the 88 Films DVD as well, but I wish someone would restore this and do an HD release. It seems like something that would fit in with Vinegar Syndrome's oeuvre. The only hurdle is that I recall reading that the original negatives are lost, so I believe the DVD editions originate from a tape master.

[Scoot79]

I'd love to own this film, but the 2014 UK DVD from 88 Films is long out of print (no listings on eBay currently) and that was the best release as far as video (16x9 enhanced anamorphic widescreen) and extras (director's commentary track). There is a 2005 US DVD from Brentwood, but it's 1.33:1 open-matte (and looks a lot worse) and is missing the director's commentary track, but supposedly has another commentary track. I wish I could find that 88 Films DVD.

[levcore]

I really like this movie too. It actually got a UK remake a few years ago, seems like a weird one to get remade but there you go.

I'd love a blu ray of this movie, fed up with still rocking the DVD.

[jmb1381]

Add me to the list of people who would love an upgrade! Just recently ordered the 88 Films release used from Orbitdvd.

[fuzzymctiger]

Severin has the blu-ray rights to this but has said despite all their efforts searching they haven't been able to come up with any film materials at all.

They've said they'll still keep trying if leads arise but right now it's not looking good for this title.

[Killer Meteor]

I had no idea 88 released this!

[Scoot79]

Originally Posted by fuzzymctiger

Severin has the blu-ray rights to this but has said despite all their efforts searching they haven't been able to come up with any film materials at all.

They've said they'll still keep trying if leads arise but right now it's not looking good for this title.

If nothing comes with a Blu-ray release, I wish they would at least release a DVD that looks as good as the 88 Films DVD because I can't find it anywhere.

[drownsoda]

Wow, I wasn't aware Severin was ever in talks to release this. I found this interview for Rue Morgue where David Gregory says there is a tape master in London, but it's worse than the DVD print. The film did get a theatrical release in the UK, so there had to have been some film prints floating around at one point (I am assuming?)

I am still holding out hope—there have been some occasional surprises over the years with titles like this; Severin managed to do a stellar job on Night of the Demon, the negatives of which were allegedly lost (though this was not actually the case, apparently—I think Bill from Code Red might have invented that rumor, but I don't know).

I really do love Unhinged, but it took repeat viewings for me to appreciate it. The atmosphere, synth score, and shock ending really elevate it above its lesser working parts. I rewatch it about once a year, and just gave my 88 Films DVD a spin tonight. It appears to be the same master used on the Code Red double feature disc I have, though the 88 Films has the advantage of offering both widescreen and fullscreen presentations.

There is apparently a second remake in the works, which is completely bizarre to me. I have yet to see the first one, which by all appearances seemed to have very little, if anything, to do with the original.