Death Screams (1982) from Arrow - Blu-ray Forum

drownsoda · 09-29-2021, 03:38 AM

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In one of the most unlikely cinematic pairings of all time, David Nelson (who rose to fame as a child star playing alongside his real-life family in the wholesome TV show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet) directs Playboy playmate and adult star Susan Kiger in this bodycount-heavy, long overlooked slice of southern fried hack-and-slash - 1982’s Death Screams!

Late one night, a young couple are brutally murdered at a make-out spot by an unseen assailant, their bodies tossed into the nearby river. As the lifeless lovers drift slowly downstream, the residents of the town excitedly prepare themselves for their annual carnival, unaware that a machete-wielding maniac with a twisted grudge is lurking in their midst. When a group of teen revellers plan a late-night after party down in the local cemetery, they unwittingly set the stage for a bloodbath.

Death Screams, which was released on us vhs as house of death (and on UK dvd with the reels in the wrong order!) oozes early ’80s regional slasher charm from its every pore, boasting an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink final reel featuring slashed throats, bisected bodies and exploding heads. At long last arriving on blu-ray and lovingly restored from the only-known existing 35mm print, this little-seen slasher classic is ready to carve its way into the bleeding hearts of horror fans everywhere!

Didn't see a thread for this, so I figured I'd start one. Anyone gotten their copy? Mine arrived from Amazon today—this one has been long on my "must watch" slasher list, so I was excited to get to experience it for the first time in HD. I watched it tonight, and it's certainly weird, at times choppy, but it's well-shot and has its moments. The carousel sequence is very creepy, and I must admit I was never bored. The ending is a bit too quick for its own good, but overall I found this very atmospheric and, in a weird way, charming.

hallowdrew · 10-02-2021, 03:12 PM

Watched the Arrow bluray last night for Night 1 of my annual October 31 horror movies in 31 days ritual. An HD transfer from an old print with a lot of edge fading, most noticeable during the night scenes, doesn't result in the best picture but you do the best with what you have. It's a keeper!

Mister B Gone · 10-04-2021, 02:39 PM

I enjoyed this one a lot - Thank you Arrow this was a gem! If you loved Arrow's release of The Mutilator and/or collect Golden Age slashers or regional Exploitation films then this release is exactly for you (and me). This awesome release is everything I love about this hobby.

Luke Dodge748 · 10-04-2021, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister B Gone

I enjoyed this one a lot - Thank you Arrow this was a gem! If you loved Arrow's release of The Mutilator and/or collect Golden Age slashers or regional Exploitation films then this release is exactly for you (and me). This awesome release is everything I love about this hobby.

I'm with you, Arrow's slasher releases have got me seriously into this collecting thing. The Mutilator with that amazing packaging, sent me into Arrow heaven. I've been collecting them since I grabbed that title. Death Screams is beautiful as well, and I hope to watch it tonight or tomorrow night.

Man, I love finding new slashers to blind buy...

TripleHBK · 10-05-2021, 02:17 AM

Best of all, when they release a "slasher", it's actually a "slasher". Not a proto-Slasher, not a quasi-slasher, not a crime drama with slasher elements or an early giallo esque slasher like effort, or whatever else some other companies like to market their releases as... no, it's an actual known slasher.

I've got quite the backlog of titles at the moment and so I doubt I'll get to this before November, but I am so happy to have it in the unwatched pile and am looking forward to checking it out in the next few weeks.

GeorgeAtkinsSaxon · 10-09-2021, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

Best of all, when they release a "slasher", it's actually a "slasher". Not a proto-Slasher, not a quasi-slasher, not a crime drama with slasher elements or an early giallo esque slasher like effort, or whatever else some other companies like to market their releases as... no, it's an actual known slasher.

I've got quite the backlog of titles at the moment and so I doubt I'll get to this before November, but I am so happy to have it in the unwatched pile and am looking forward to checking it out in the next few weeks.

What a grimy, disintegrated little film this was. I do wish the score was less orchestral, and more upbeat and sleazy.

These releases are why I continue to buy expensive boutique titles. Thank you Arrow.

Matt89 · 10-09-2021, 12:44 AM

LOL yeah gotta admit this was some bottom-of-the-barrel '80s slasher cheese, like it's pretty godawful but I'm still glad Arrow is putting out titles like this. While the film does drag a bit, there were some fun kills and a few suspenseful moments. The print they used was also in better shape than I was expecting.

~Matt

GeorgeAtkinsSaxon · 10-09-2021, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt89

LOL yeah gotta admit this was some bottom-of-the-barrel '80s slasher cheese, like it's pretty godawful but I'm still glad Arrow is putting out titles like this. While the film does drag a bit, there were some fun kills and a few suspenseful moments. The print they used was also in better shape than I was expecting.

~Matt

I heard others were bored with this movie, but it kept me interested from the beginning. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the tone. Especially the carnival and that ****in’ carousel. What can I say? Even with slashers, I’m in the minority haha

Matt89 · 10-09-2021, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeAtkinsSaxon

I heard others were bored with this movie, but it kept me interested from the beginning. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the tone. Especially the carnival and that ****in’ carousel. What can I say? Even with slashers, I’m in the minority haha

It...does get a tad boring in places. The carousel scene was pretty cool I will admit. I liked that bit. But as much as I also love '80s slashers, I find this suffers from the same kind of pacing issues that a lot of early '80s slashers do. The movie goes for too long a stretch without a kill and that seriously hinders the pacing of the movie. But it was an interesting watch and I'm certainly grateful that Arrow put it out. I hope they keep putting out obscure slashers like this.

~Matt

sanjuro78 · 10-11-2021, 12:41 PM

Great job by Arrow but wow, what a slog to get through. Even with low expectations in place that was a horribly paced snoozefest.

[Show spoiler]

I thought it was pretty appropriate that when Sheriff Harry Knowles was investigating something suspicious the only thing on the soundtrack was crickets.

JoelGoodsen · 10-11-2021, 02:17 PM

Great work from Arrow on this. Keep 'em coming please.

JupiterMission · 10-11-2021, 03:41 PM

I watched this over the weekend, and while I hear what some are saying about the pacing, story, etc., I personally enjoyed it. I love low-budget, regional stuff that gives me a sense of a time and place I never got to experience. Death Screams probably isn't going on my "hidden gems" slasher list, but I did like the scenery and atmosphere. Plus the babes were top notch.

levcore · 10-11-2021, 03:45 PM

Really enjoyed this one and the long haired brunette in it is absolutely stunning, wow. Jennifer Chase was it? Going by IMDB.

DukeTogo84 · 10-13-2021, 02:11 AM

Watched this today and it was actually better than expected. I had just watched Trick or Treats (1982), so I guess any horror movie will seem better after that crap. Either way, enjoyed this one.

Vincent Dawn · 10-21-2021, 02:43 AM

I'm still on the fence about picking this one up. This one and The Slayer are the 2 slashers films I'm curious to check out. Maybe next Schotober sale.

Member-222782 · 10-21-2021, 12:41 PM

I didn't fall in love with this one off the bat but I suspect it'll grow on me over time. I liked it better than Whodunit/Island of Blood from the same year, though. That jingle - yikes.

levcore · 10-21-2021, 12:52 PM

Whodunit is a pretty good comparison though in terms of overall quality. Of course YMMV but i would imagine if you enjoy one you would enjoy the other. Really those these kinds of movies are only for the absolutely hardcore slasher movie obsessives, and even then they might not enjoy.

GeorgeAtkinsSaxon · 10-30-2021, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent Dawn

I'm still on the fence about picking this one up. This one and The Slayer are the 2 slashers films I'm curious to check out. Maybe next Schotober sale.

I own these titles and I enjoyed them both.

If you had to choose only one to buy…. definitely Death Screams over The Slayer.

My 3 cents. Hope that helps a little.

BluPat · 08-13-2022, 10:33 PM

I've been going to get this and almost did during B&N 50% off Arrow sale but didn't. I decided to watch it on YouTube and while I didn't find it very good, it wasn't that bad.
I'll have to pick it up when I find it cheaper than $30.

russweiss1 · 08-14-2022, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluPat

I've been going to get this and almost did during B&N 50% off Arrow sale but didn't. I decided to watch it on YouTube and while I didn't find it very good, it wasn't that bad.
I'll have to pick it up when I find it cheaper than $30.

Amazon and Ebay both have this available for under $30.00.

10-02-2021, 03:12 PM	#2
hallowdrew Active Member Member since:Jul 2020	Watched the Arrow bluray last night for Night 1 of my annual October 31 horror movies in 31 days ritual. An HD transfer from an old print with a lot of edge fading, most noticeable during the night scenes, doesn't result in the best picture but you do the best with what you have. It's a keeper!

10-04-2021, 02:39 PM	#3
Mister B Gone Power Member Member since:Jun 2016 Location:Chicago 4K collection:306 Blu-ray collection:1310 DVD collection:66 Trading Score:1	I enjoyed this one a lot - Thank you Arrow this was a gem! If you loved Arrow's release of The Mutilator and/or collect Golden Age slashers or regional Exploitation films then this release is exactly for you (and me). This awesome release is everything I love about this hobby.

10-05-2021, 02:17 AM	#5
TripleHBK Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Aug 2012 Location:Lincoln, NE Home Theater Gallery:52 4K collection:249 Blu-ray collection:3653 DVD collection:742 Blu-ray reviews: 17 Trading Score:47	Best of all, when they release a "slasher", it's actually a "slasher". Not a proto-Slasher, not a quasi-slasher, not a crime drama with slasher elements or an early giallo esque slasher like effort, or whatever else some other companies like to market their releases as... no, it's an actual known slasher. I've got quite the backlog of titles at the moment and so I doubt I'll get to this before November, but I am so happy to have it in the unwatched pile and am looking forward to checking it out in the next few weeks.

10-09-2021, 12:44 AM	#7
Matt89 Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Toronto 4K collection:347 Blu-ray collection:372 iTunes collection:48 Trading Score:2	LOL yeah gotta admit this was some bottom-of-the-barrel '80s slasher cheese, like it's pretty godawful but I'm still glad Arrow is putting out titles like this. While the film does drag a bit, there were some fun kills and a few suspenseful moments. The print they used was also in better shape than I was expecting. ~Matt

10-11-2021, 12:41 PM	#10
sanjuro78 Senior Member Member since:Jun 2012 Location:Detroit, Michigan	Great job by Arrow but wow, what a slog to get through. Even with low expectations in place that was a horribly paced snoozefest. [Show spoiler] I thought it was pretty appropriate that when Sheriff Harry Knowles was investigating something suspicious the only thing on the soundtrack was crickets.

10-11-2021, 02:17 PM	#11
JoelGoodsen Blu-ray Knight Member since:Oct 2011	Great work from Arrow on this. Keep 'em coming please.

10-11-2021, 03:41 PM	#12
JupiterMission Power Member Member since:Sep 2016 Trading Score:2	I watched this over the weekend, and while I hear what some are saying about the pacing, story, etc., I personally enjoyed it. I love low-budget, regional stuff that gives me a sense of a time and place I never got to experience. Death Screams probably isn't going on my "hidden gems" slasher list, but I did like the scenery and atmosphere. Plus the babes were top notch.

10-11-2021, 03:45 PM	#13
levcore Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Jun 2011 Location:Dryland 4K collection:306 Blu-ray collection:2617 Trading Score:3	Really enjoyed this one and the long haired brunette in it is absolutely stunning, wow. Jennifer Chase was it? Going by IMDB.

10-13-2021, 02:11 AM	#14
DukeTogo84 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Aug 2012 Location:California 4K collection:155 Blu-ray collection:4952 Blu-ray reviews: 64 Trading Score:139	Watched this today and it was actually better than expected. I had just watched Trick or Treats (1982), so I guess any horror movie will seem better after that crap. Either way, enjoyed this one.

10-21-2021, 02:43 AM	#15
Vincent Dawn Special Member Member since:Feb 2016 4K collection:271 Blu-ray collection:3631 DVD collection:2079	I'm still on the fence about picking this one up. This one and The Slayer are the 2 slashers films I'm curious to check out. Maybe next Schotober sale.

10-21-2021, 12:41 PM	#16
Member-222782 Blu-ray Archduke Member since:Jun 2012 4K collection:645 Blu-ray collection:4556 DVD collection:474 Trading Score:140	I didn't fall in love with this one off the bat but I suspect it'll grow on me over time. I liked it better than Whodunit/Island of Blood from the same year, though. That jingle - yikes.

10-21-2021, 12:52 PM	#17
levcore Blu-ray Grand Duke Member since:Jun 2011 Location:Dryland 4K collection:306 Blu-ray collection:2617 Trading Score:3	Whodunit is a pretty good comparison though in terms of overall quality. Of course YMMV but i would imagine if you enjoy one you would enjoy the other. Really those these kinds of movies are only for the absolutely hardcore slasher movie obsessives, and even then they might not enjoy.

08-13-2022, 10:33 PM	#19
BluPat Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Texas 4K collection:243 Blu-ray collection:1457 Blu-ray reviews: 80 Trading Score:4	I've been going to get this and almost did during B&N 50% off Arrow sale but didn't. I decided to watch it on YouTube and while I didn't find it very good, it wasn't that bad. I'll have to pick it up when I find it cheaper than $30.

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