Don Dohler's 'Fiend' (1980) - Massacre Video

[redrunner97]

Don Dohler's 'Fiend' (1980)

Originally Posted by massacre video fb

Don Dohler's FIEND, coming to blu-ray/dvd. Special thanks to Cinema Arcana for the still!

https://www.facebook.com/massacrevid...810169/?type=3

an evil spirit enters a graveyard and reanimates the corpse of music teacher eric longfellow (don leifert). However, in order to stay alive, he has to wrap his hands around his victims' throats to absorb their life essences. When he moves to the suburbs of baltimore, maryland, his neighbor gary kender (richard nelson) begins to suspect something just is not right with mr. Longfellow.

[HorrorBlu]

Where's Hack-O-Lantern?

[redrunner97]

I stopped asking about Hack-O-Lantern when I realized it wouldn't be ready by this Halloween. Hopefully it comes out before the end of the year, they say it's almost done. Until then I'll just keep checking their facebook page daily. lol

[JupiterMission]

Did this ever wind up coming out?

[NoirFan]

Nope. Neither did Hack-O-Lantern.

[bruce holecheck]

From my Cinema Arcana FB page:

Recorded a new commentary track tonight with actor George Stover and cinematographer Richard Geiwitz for Don Dohler's FIEND (1980), coming to Blu-Ray next year from Massacre Video. The film tells the tale of a seriously-mustached supernatural boogeyman who terrorizes the suburbs of Baltimore, sucking the life essence out of every man, woman and child unlucky enough to make his acquaintance. It's up to an annoyed, pipe-smoking neighbor to stop him. A purposely intimate, confined film from do-it-yourself legend Dohler, FIEND is a darker, meaner outing than his more high-profile alien epics, and hopefully this upcoming restoration, featuring the first new scan the title's received in 30+ years, will find it a new generation of fans. Expect more details in the coming months.

[Member-222782]

Did Fiend ever receive theatrical distribution? I could swear I saw that title on a Times Square marquee back in the day. Maybe it was another film with 'Fiend' in the title.

[bruce holecheck]

Originally Posted by Cinema74

Did Fiend ever receive theatrical distribution? I could swear I saw that title on a Times Square marquee back in the day. Maybe it was another film with 'Fiend' in the title.

As far as I know it went straight to tape. THE ALIEN FACTOR did make it briefly to a few theaters, though.

[dr. wai]

Just got my copy today and I plan on watching it tonight. Packaging is great with the slip box being very attractive.

[Chris Dorner]

Originally Posted by dr. wai

Just got my copy today and I plan on watching it tonight. Packaging is great with the slip box being very attractive.

Would love to see some pictures of the packaging if you could.

[asmodeux21]

Anyone have an opinion on the transfer? I shared mine on the Massacre Video blu ray thread. I thought the details and grain are fine. The compression is very good. My issue with the transfer is that the contrast seems off. The black levels look bright and that causes the colors to look restrained. I understand that the movie is a low budget effort, but I confess I am a little disappointed with the transfer.

[Damonstein]

Originally Posted by asmodeux21

Anyone have an opinion on the transfer? I shared mine on the Massacre Video blu ray thread. I thought the details and grain are fine. The compression is very good. My issue with the transfer is that the contrast seems off. The black levels look bright and that causes the colors to look restrained. I understand that the movie is a low budget effort, but I confess I am a little disappointed with the transfer.

Yeah i kinda agree. The fact that the day for night is wrong seems like they werent paying close attention.

[Member-222782]

My copy from Amazon says "Originally expected January 3" but now it says Arriving Wednesday, a before. Normally an earlier estimate would be cause for joy but it hasn't even shipped yet so I'm not holding my breath. Hopefully it'll turn up - I'm already feeling January withdrawal lol.

[The Great Owl]

Fiend arrived in the mail today from Amazon. I was not expecting such a nice-looking package.

[LordSummerIsle]

I'm pretty excited. Mine just shipped and I'll have it on Saturday!

[dr. wai]

Originally Posted by Chris Dorner

Would love to see some pictures of the packaging if you could.

Here are some scans:

Front

https://i.imgur.com/HhFqYt2.jpg[/img]"]

Back

https://i.imgur.com/w3isZjN.jpg[/img]"]

Inner Art

https://i.imgur.com/w60Gadz.jpg[/img]"]

Disc

https://i.imgur.com/25jc9ua.jpg[/img]"]

There is also a hidden movie on the disc. I found it while doing screengrabs for an upcoming review. The film is 1991's Blood Massacre. It looks like hot garbage, but you can't really complain when it is free. I can't figure out how to access it from the menu yet, just from my computer.

[dr. wai]

Originally Posted by asmodeux21

Anyone have an opinion on the transfer? I shared mine on the Massacre Video blu ray thread. I thought the details and grain are fine. The compression is very good. My issue with the transfer is that the contrast seems off. The black levels look bright and that causes the colors to look restrained. I understand that the movie is a low budget effort, but I confess I am a little disappointed with the transfer.

I dunno. I thought it looks pretty good, all things considering. The film was not cleaned up at all, but I found everything else to be looking pretty good. Maybe I will play with the picture a little bit to see what is going on.

[Member-222782]

My copy just arrived. "2K scan from the original 16 mm A/B roll"? Aren't those outtakes/second unit material? Nice-looking set, BTW.

[dr. wai]

UPDATE TO THE BLOOD MASSACRE EASTER EGG!!

Someone saw my tweet about the hidden film and went and found it. Here are the instructions:

1. Highlight Special Features on the main menu and click it.
2. Press down on remote until the fiend pops up from the bottom of the screen.
3. Click on him and Blood Massacre will start playing.

I love that there was a hidden feature film on this set as I have been wanting to collect all of Don Dohler's films. Plus it bring set up in personal value in my eyes. You got two films for the price of one.

[Sleazeaddict]

is this the LE ?

https://www.diabolikdvd.com/product/...ay-all-region/

Cover is different, no slip