Amityville: The Evil Escapes Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Amityville: The Evil Escapes Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 9, 2019

After dealing with dwindling theatrical revenues, the saga of “The Amityville Horror” turns to television for “Amityville Horror: The Evil Escapes.” The 1989 production doesn’t have the gory potential of its cinematic predecessors, but writer/director Sandor Stern (who scripted the original 1979 film) supplies an acceptable ride of evil events, electing to transform a haunted house experience into a murderous lamp event, which is as silly as it sounds. Wackiness aside, “The Evil Escapes” is interested in creating some excitement for fans of the franchise, doing relatively well with small-scale frights.

There’s a talented cast assembled for “The Evil Escapes,” with Patty Duke and Jane Wyatt starring in the endeavor, which explores a transfer of dark energy from a cursed house to a bizarre lamp, which becomes a conductor of evil when placed inside a peaceful home. The actors need to be on their game when dealing with featureless antagonist, and Stern keeps them busy with strange acts of possession. There’s also the damned house, which becomes a problem for the family as demonic activity finds its way into electric wires, plumbing pipes, and power tools.

Amityville: The Evil Escapes Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Offering a fresh scan of the 35mm original camera negative, Vinegar Syndrome offers love to "The Evil Escapes," giving it new life decades after its television debut. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is bright and clear, with crisp detail on facial surfaces and design elements, with the killer lamp especially textured. Room decoration is sharp and open for exploration, along with costuming, and gross-outs are protected, with the goopy particulars of the haunting coming through as intended. Colors are alert, leading with lively primaries, enjoying clothing and inviting greenery. Skintones are natural. Delineation is comfortable. Source is in strong shape.

Amityville: The Evil Escapes Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track deals with some age issues, including hiss and some high-end fuzziness at times. Dialogue exchanges are compelling, with reasonably clear voices and defined surges of panic as horror elements begin to arrive. Scoring needs are met, offering clean instrumentation and position, aiding suspense. Sound effects are enjoyable, with louder elements of household threat.

Amityville: The Evil Escapes Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The Return to Amityville" (14:51, HD) is an interview with Sandor Stern, who found himself returning to the "Amityville Horror" series after writing the original 1979 movie. Stern discusses his history with the franchise and his experience piecing together the first installment, working with author Jay Anson. Originally, Stern was involved with medicine in Canada, leaving the medical world behind to make features, eventually offered a shot to put his own stamp on the brand name with "The Evil Escapes," which was made for television. Managing a small budget and limitations on intensity, Stern explores the hunt for the house, eventually settling on two locations to sell one evil dwelling, and casting is examined. Stern doesn't have the strongest memory of the shoot, unsure if he was responsible for the bloodshed in the effort, but he discusses technical challenges and homeowner concerns, and he seems a little bummed that the producers ignored the opening for another sequel he left behind. The interviewee closes with his thoughts on a horror series he helped to create, with special attention paid to the 2005 "Amityville Horror" remake.

• "Televised Terror" (14:28, HD) sits down with cinematographer Tom Richmond, who really has mixed feelings about his experience working on "The Evil Escapes." He offers some background information, tracking his early work (including "Chopping Mall" and "Straight to Hell"), which led him to the television project, only to understand he wouldn't be operating the camera during the shoot, only in charge of lighting. Without control or feedback from his bosses, Richmond admits he was "lost" while making "The Evil Escapes," explaining why the feature is so brightly illuminated, and he criticizes costuming choices, which provided ugly colors to work with. Richmond also dismisses the use of zooms in the picture, and offers a reflection on the movie.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Amityville: The Evil Escapes Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dealing with television limitations, Stern can't take "The Evil Escapes" over the top, but he has some enjoyable ideas when it comes to man vs. furniture conflicts. As modest entertainment, "The Evil Escapes" has something to offer the decidedly uneven series, working to restore some focused hauntings to the brand name. It's not major work, but it connects in minor ways.