The Blood Trilogy 1963-1965 (Blood Feast, Two Thousand Maniacs, Color Me Blood Red)

[Kentai]

Originally Posted by bgart13

HG has said that they were meant to be projected at 1.78:1. Although, I did find it odd that the titles for TWO THOUSAND MANIACS are at 1.66.

COLOR ME BLOOD RED's title card wouldn't even be readable at 1.78:1.

I seriously think a lot of old-school independent film makers honestly didn't know any better and just shot using the 1.37:1 viewfinder, only to realize much later that theaters would crop them anyway. But if HG's said that's what he likes, hey, it's his movie...


Edit: A recent interview on Dead Central makes it clear that Lewis had nothing to do with the new Blu-ray...

"I would definitely agree that it seems rather unusual to have a Blu-Ray release for a trio of movies like these but ultimately, the decision wasn't up to me," explained Lewis. "I no longer own the rights and I guess the powers that be decided now was a good time to release these in this kind of format so we'll see how it goes. Honestly, I don't really know what to think about Blu-Ray; I'm still not entirely convinced it's another kind of fad. Will it last? Probably, but it's hard to tell. I was one of the first people who said back in 2008/2009 that 3D was going to be a flash in the pan fad and sure enough, I was right on that one. So who knows about Blu-Ray? But regardless, if this latest disc introduces new fans to the films, then that's great."

He was actually around to do the commentaries and the like for the 4:3 DVD, so I'm calling BS on him "preferring" the 1.78:1 version, unless someone can point me to an interview where he actually says it.

[opterasis]

I couldn't make it past the first sentence of the The Blood Trilogy Blu-ray Review.

[Fulci]

Originally Posted by opterasis

I couldn't make it past the first sentence of the The Blood Trilogy Blu-ray Review.

Seriously. Can the director of the Descent really be lumped in as a torture porn director?


On another note, not sure if it was mentioned by anyone but did anyone notice the odd low pitch of the audio during the barrel roll scene in Two Thousand Maniacs? Was that in the DVD? Still a great blu none the less. The low pitch actually made in seem kinda creepier like demonic voices.

[bgart13]

The sound issue during the barrel scene is actually discussed in the HGL doc, GODFATHER OF GORE. If I recall correctly, it is due to an audio recording mistake and they had to monkey with it to get the sound relatively correct. Just part of the fun of low budget indie horror movies from the 60's!

[staggerlee3769]

There is no annoying SW in the lower right of the screen. Is your copy of Axe the DVDr version that was available in the SW Catalog before the DVD release? Just curious because my copy of "Axe" doesnt have that. I know that my samplers do though.

[Dean L]

This IS THE Blu-ray bargain of the year!
Belongs in every genre fans collection.
Kind of related, lets get Gore Gore Girls on Blu now, click this thread I started!

[The Smell of Brains]

I think the widescreen framing looks weird. A lot of shots look very tight while others show way too much headroom.

[Fulci]

I know what you mean about the framing.

The pessimist in me (no offense intended to Herschell Gordon Lewis/fans) thought it was just one of those old b-movie, no budget things were it was just bad cinematography to begin with.

You're explanation sounds more likely so I'll go with that.

[bgart13]

Lewis has said the movies were meant to be shown theatrically at 1.78:1 (or 1.85:1). Tale it for what it's worth, but I'm more than thrilled about getting these in such good looking transfers. Easily one of the best bds of the year.

[Leterface]

I just watched Blood Feast and was really pleased with the PQ! The aspect ratio looked fine to my eyes that haven't seen this film before. The moments you can see print damage are few and very quick. And I saw no noise reduction. Only a few softer scenes (most likely filmed this way). Nice colors, unbelievable fine details on a 1963 film filled with a fine layer of grain. Very recommended for them who are not afraid of seeing gore.

Actually I was so thrilled with the film that I didn't have time to even make some popcorn..Very nice film for its genre.

[Crimson King]

Watched "Blood Feast" and this had some of the strangest sound probelems I've ever heard, pops (one really big loud one at the 13:57 mark), distortion in some scenes, etc.
Not sure if this is a bad disc or what?

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

Watched "Blood Feast" and this had some of the strangest sound probelems I've ever heard, pops (one really big loud one at the 13:57 mark), distortion in some scenes, etc.
Not sure if this is a bad disc or what?

Have not watched mine yet, but it sounds like the sound was not remastered to remove pops, hiss and what not. So I sure it's not the disc and they just did not do any clean up on the print used for the transfer.

[Aristide Massaccesi]

They used some rough prints for this release, just wait until you see "Two Thousand Maniacs"! I really don't mind the rough look and sound 'cos it just adds to the grindhouse experience.

[Mr. Thomsen]

Well, the question is whether better prints are available at all? For many of these old grindhouse films, the negatives are long gone and only a few battered cinema prints survive.

[Leterface]

Originally Posted by Aristide Massaccesi

They used some rough prints for this release, just wait until you see "Two Thousand Maniacs"! I really don't mind the rough look and sound 'cos it just adds to the grindhouse experience.

I watched Two Thousand Maniacs yesterday and the sound was a lot worse than in Blood Feast. Otherwise the PQ on 2k Maniacs again wasn't as good as in Blood Feast, but I think it's the about best possible. This film is IMO quite entertaining and sick as *uck.

So now just seeing the two first films I deeply recommend this set to all gorehounds. But definitely not for the sensitive/unexperienced because these films really are very sick.

Edit: finally watched the last film in the set - Color Me Blood Red; it have better PQ than 2k Maniacs but is a bit weeker film, still it beats most of this milenniums gore films.

[Blu Titan]

$8.99 @ Amazon .

[The Dark Uniter]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

$8.99 @ Amazon .

I might have to blind buy this. $8.99 for three films is too good not to pass up.

[bgart13]

I honestly would've paid $20 for this set. Of course, a lower price is always nice...

[Kentai]

Originally Posted by Mr. Thomsen

Well, the question is whether better prints are available at all? For many of these old grindhouse films, the negatives are long gone and only a few battered cinema prints survive.

I think the Laserdisc for BLOOD FEAST from about 15 years ago said it was from a new print made from the camera negative, so it's safe to say that it still exists. Not sure about the other two films, but if TWO THOUSAND MANIACS were pulled from an actual print (even an archived print they kept just for reference) that'd explain a few things...

There are certainly a few titles where the DVD was made from an actual 35mm theatrical print - Rock & Rule, Pets, Last House on Dead End Street, the Retrofilm German DVD of 4 Flies on Gray Velvet, and the "extended" French DVD of The Killer - but it's very rare to see a title pulled from anything but the negative or a vaulted interpositive nowadays.

For what it's worth, WTF Film's review says that the cropping (when compared to the 4:3 DVD) selectively switches from cutting off the top or bottom of the print, so it's literally a 16:9 tilt-and-scan affair. A shame SWV didn't leave well enough alone, but yeah, I somehow can't imagine these films ever getting a better Blu-ray release after this.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by Blu Titan

$8.99 @ Amazon .

nice I just placed my order. Been putting it off, now is the time.