Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Blood Stalkers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov February 22, 2020

Robert W. Morgan's "Blood Stalkers" (1976) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Garagehouse Pictures. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage promotional materials for the film; exclusive introduction and audio commentary by the director; unproduced screenplay; and more. In English, without optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

You're in blood stalker country now, boy!

A couple of drinks and a good company can easily make Robert W. Morgan’s film Blood Stalkers look much more attractive than it really is. In fact, I think that this is the only way you should consider seeing it, which would mean that the experience would be an excuse for you to actually focus on something else entirely.

Morgan’s camera follows two couples, Mike (Jerry Albert, Little Laura & Big John) and Kim (Toni Crabtree, The New Kids) and Daniel (Kenny Miller, Surf Party) and Jeri (Celea Ann Cole, The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood), who are on their way to a special place somewhere in Florida. Mike’s parents own a small house there which he barely remembers but has described to Kim and their mutual friends as a tiny piece of paradise. They have loaded the trunk of their station wagon with booze and stakes but have forgotten to bring bathing suits.

Despite heading in the right direction, Mike is eventually forced to pull over and ask some local characters for directions to the shack, and much to his surprise he gets warned that he is looking for trouble because the area has become a breeding ground for ‘blood stalkers’. As any normal person from the city would do, Mike then promptly brushes off the warning as just another form of silly local eccentricity and jumps back in the station wagon.

Eventually the group reaches the house, which turns out to be just a lousy shack way out in the boonies, and after the girls clean it up a bit, they gather around the table to have a drink. Under the Florida moon the couples then loosen up and proceed to have some fun, but a violent creature from nearby swamp spoils their intimate vacation.

Morgan’s one and only creation is a typical ‘70s drive-in project that at best must have enjoyed some short-lived popularity in his home state of Ohio. It is possible that a few smaller theaters across the country arranged to have screenings of it, but it seems extremely unlikely that a nationwide distributor actually bothered to do any meaningful business with it outside of the Midwest.

The best compliment one can give the film is to say that it oozes very obvious enthusiasm for campy fun. Indeed, there is more campy energy on display than quality acting, which ultimately manages to transform some of the awkward into entertaining. However, it has to be said that even those that usually have a soft spot for this particular type of entertainment will undoubtedly find some of ‘action’ a bit goofy. Blood Stalkers is just that kind of a low-budget horror thriller, big on enthusiasm and not so big on quality.

Something quite peculiar that is worth pointing out is how often times Morgan’s camera makes Ann Cole look like a very young Roseanne Barr. In fact, this might be one of the film’s most effective treats because it makes the two couples’ journey to the boonies and then their troubles with the furry creature that much more surreal.

*Garagehouse Pictures’ release of Blood Stalkers is sourced from a new master that was struck from the only surviving 35mm materials. It also features an exclusive new video introduction by director Morgan.

Blood Stalkers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Blood Stalkers arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Garagehouse Pictures.

The release is sourced from a brand new master that was struck from the only surviving 35mm elements. Predictably, the presentation has a 'vintage print' quality, which is actually quite appropriate for this film. Anyhow, what exactly should you expect from it? Well, detail is actually quite good, though expect a 'thicker' appearance that makes some finer nuances difficult to identify. Obviously, given that you are a few generations away from the OCN this should not be surprising, but again, this is a very fine organic presentation with strong filmic qualities. Depth also varies, with the nighttime footage revealing the biggest fluctuations. The color scheme is impossible to address because the master basically replicates the vintage quality of the 35mm print, but I thought that the film looked just fine as it is. Image stability is very good. Lastly, this is actually a surprisingly clean presentation that is free of major age-related imperfections, such as cuts, large damage marks, and torn frames. All in all, considering what was available to create the new master for this release, I think that the final product has a pretty solid organic appearance. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Blood Stalkers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are not provided for the main feature.

The dialog is very easy to follow. From time to time there are some extremely minor dynamic fluctuations, but I am fairly certain that they are part of the original audio mix which is not done with top-of-the-line audio equipment. Still, the basics -- depth, clarity, and overall stability -- are fine for a film of this type.

Blood Stalkers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Introduction - new video introduction for the remastered presentation of Blood Stalkers by director Robert W. Morgan. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080i).

• Commentary - in this new commentary, director Robert W. Morgan and Jeff Stephan do down memory lane and discuss in great detail how Blood Stalkers came to exist. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Garagehouse Pictures.

• Blood Stalkers Revisited - this short program, featuring director Robert W. Morgan and fans of his film, was made during an outdoor screening of his film in 2017. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080i).

• On Camera Interview with Robert W. Morgan - in this video interview, director Robert W. Morgan recalls how he came up with the idea for Blood Stalkers, the scoring of the film, an old trip to Russia and his impressions of Moscow (and its subway system), etc. In English, not subtitled. (20 min, 1080i).

• The Night Daniel Died Opening Tiles - alternate opening titles for Blood Stalkers. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 1080p).

• Mansion of Terror - unproduced screenplay (1080p).

• Stills Gallery - a large collection of vintage promotional materials for Blood Stalkers.

• Garagehouse Pictures Trailers - a collection of trailers for various titles from Garagehouse PIctures' catalog.

• Essay - Robert's W. Morgan's essay "The Story Behind Blood Stalkers". (See inside of release).

Blood Stalkers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you wish to treat yourself and some of your best friends with a campy '70s drive-in horror thriller, you should not miss Blood Stalkers because it has the right energy and all the thrills and chills these types of low-budget goofy films need to be entertaining. I actually quite liked its enthusiasm. Garagehouse Pictures' release of Blood Stalkers is sourced from a new master that was struck from the only surviving 35mm elements and has a very nice selection of informative and entertaining bonus features. RECOMMENDED. (If you decide to place an order, also consider the label's recent releases of Foes and Supercock, which are terrific indie gems waiting to be rediscovered).