976-EVIL Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

976-EVIL Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 12, 2020

Robert Englund's "976-EVIL" (1988) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include new video interview with special effects technician Kevin Yagher; new video interview with special make-up effects artist Howard Berger; new video interview with producer Lisa Hansen; and more. Also included with the release is a collector's booklet featuring an essay by Craig Ian Mann as well as technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

In the United States, 976-EVIL was released on Blu-ray by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in 2017. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Marty Liebman's review of this release here.

976-EVIL Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, 976-EVIL arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment.

The release is sourced from the same old master that the folks at Sony Pictures worked with to produce this North American release of 976-EVIL in 2017. It is a serviceable master, but this film can and should look quite a bit better in high-definition.

The good news is that there are no traces of problematic digital corrections, which means that you won't have to worry about sharpening, contrast boosting, smearing -- of the type that frequently appears on older masters that emerge via Universal Pictures -- and other similar anomalies. However, the grain is very weak and often actually becomes disappointingly noisy. This makes quite a difference because very large portions of the film either have restricted light or are naturally dark and as a result delineation and depth suffer a lot. Also, there is a fair amount of crushing, so when all of these limitations come together the darker visuals can look unnaturally flat as well. Density levels are average at best, so if you view your films on a large screen this is one of the first limitations of the existing master that you will notice. The color scheme is good. However, saturation and overall balance can be improved, especially in darker areas where some nuances are collapsed. There are no stability issues, but rather surprisingly from time to time there is some slight movement within the frame. Finally, some darker areas reveal compression artifacts. Flecks, tiny black, spots and blemishes can be spotted as well. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

976-EVIL Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the film with the LPCM 2.0 track. It is very clean and nicely balanced. Its upper register is very healthy as well, though I was not surprised because older masters that emerge from Sony Pictures almost never have audio issues. Dynamic intensity was very good and I doubt that a new remix can improve on what the LPCM 2.0 track offers.

976-EVIL Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Extended VHS Release - this slightly longer version of 976-EVIL is sourced from a standard definition master. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. LPCM 2.0. (105 min).

• Kevin Yagher - in this new video interview, special effects technician Kevin Yagher explains how he became involved with 976-EVIL, how some of the special effects in the film were done, and what it was like to work with Robert Englund and New Line Cinema. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• Howard Berger - in this new video interview, special make-up effects artist Howard Berger discusses his professional relationship with Kevin Yagher and explains it was like to work on 976-EVIL. There are also some interesting observations about Robert Englund's working methods and personality. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Lisa Hansen - in this new video interview, producer Lisa Hansen recalls how CineTel Films came to exist and discusses the production of 976-EVIL, the casting choices, Robert Englund's working methods (and why he "gets horror"), and her long-lasting love for horror cinema. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Stills Gallery - a nice collection of vintage production stills.

• Audio Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Robert Englund and set decorator Nancy Booth Englund. It has appeared on previous home video releases of 976-EVIL.

• Booklet - a collector's booklet featuring new writing by Craig Ian Mann as well as technical credits.

976-EVIL Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you enjoy cheesy low-budget horror films and feel nostalgic for the '80s, maybe you could find something to like in Robert Englund's 976-EVIL. I did not. It was not a struggle to endure it, but I just did not care for any of its characters and genre thrills. Eureka Entertainment's release is sourced from an old and rather shaky master that was supplied by Sony Pictures. However, it has some exclusive new interviews with a few of the people that worked on the film, which might be of interest to its fans. RENT IT.