5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Blackenstein, also known as Black Frankenstein, is a low budget 1973 blaxploitation horror film loosely based on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It was made in an attempt to cash in on the success of Blacula, released the previous year by American International Pictures. However, Blackenstein fared poorly in comparison to its predecessor, with most reviews agreeing that the movie was "a totally inept mixture of the worst horror and blaxploitation films".
Starring: John Hart (I), Andrea King (I), John Dennis (I), Liz Renay, Ivory StoneHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
It’s probably instructive to note that virtually all of the supplements Severin Films has assembled for this Blu-ray release of Blackenstein deal more generally with writer and producer Frank R. Saletri than with the film itself. Though he’s only dimly remembered now if at all, Saletri entered the annals of famous Hollywood murders when he was found slain in his house in 1982. Saletri had already made his name as an attorney for some frankly B (or further down the alphabet) list stars, and he had become equally well known for his participation in any number of Los Angeles based groups devoted to horror and science fiction films. One of Saletri’s claims to fame is that he ended up buying the former mansion of Bela Lugosi, where he lived for many years (contrary to some online reports, the supplements on this Blu-ray disc state that he was not murdered in the Lugosi home, which had been torn down to make room for the expansion of one of Los Angeles’ many freeways by that time, and that Saletri had moved into another, more modern, home in the Hollywood Hills, which his sister mentions was on Primrose). Saletri’s murder has never been solved, and it seemed especially vexing at the time for reasons that included the fact that Saletri had no known enemies, but that a random robbery didn’t seem to be the motive, given the fact that tons of expensive jewelry and other booty were left at the scene of the crime. The fact that Saletri was a hulking type who was evidently a black belt in karate also made his execution style killing raise some eyebrows. Saletri had a slew of unproduced screenplays to his credit at the time of his death, including the hilariously named Black the Ripper, just one indication that he recognized there was a market for so-called blaxploitation films. Blackenstein is clearly modeled on other films like Blacula (available in this double feature from Shout Factory’s Scream Factory imprint), but it frankly doesn’t have even the baseline savoir faire that that film has.
Blackenstein is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films and Vinegar Syndrome with AVC encoded 1080p transfers in 1.78:1 for both the Theatrical Release and Video Release. The Video Release comes with a disclaimer shown in screenshot 21, and I've provided two screenshots in positions 18 and 19 of what look like moments from the 1" tape master mentioned. Quality for this secondary source is obviously pretty ragged and the segues to the film elements are frequently pretty ragged looking as well, with what amount to dissolves showing clear differences in clarity, color temperature and even frame alignment. With that issue on the Video Release out of the way, the Theatrical Release, while still fairly "dupey" looking at times, at least boasts a more solid palette, as well as relatively decent detail levels in close-ups. There are still some color temperature fluctuations, and occasional milkiness in some of the darker sequences. Probably intentionally, the creature is not really seen clearly much if at all (it was rather difficult to even get the two screenshots of him/it included with this review), and then often with handheld cameras that introduce quick pans which keep detail levels at a seeming minimum. While there's some generic verbiage about this being "now restored", there's still some slight but evident age related wear and tear.
Both versions of Blackenstein sport DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono tracks which have occasional slight distortion, especially with regard to some
of the music. Dialogue and effects make it through the gauntlet relatively clearly, though the Video Release has a few inartful segues where differences in
things like relative amplitude and hiss levels can be heard at times. As mentioned above, the film has a perhaps unexpectedly enjoyable (if admittedly
dated sounding) score, and while the high end has occasional very slight crackling, the mid and lower ranges sound full and appealing.
Note: While there's no Setup Menu indicating these options are available, there is a Dolby Digital 2.0 mono mix as well as English SDH subtitles
(with a few typos) accessible via the appropriate buttons on your remote.
Both the Theatrical Release (1080p; 1:17:46) and the Video Release (1080p; 1:27:05) are included on this release, with submenus for each version offering access to the same following supplementary material:
I doubt even fans of Blackenstein would claim it's any kind of unappreciated masterpiece, but the film has a certain era specific charm, along with a low rent sensibility that may in fact recommend it to those who like their post-modern irony with a touch of blood and guts. This is another niche horror release where the film may be no great shakes, but some of the supplementary material is extremely interesting. Technical merits are decent if imperfect for those considering a purchase.
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