Blue Sunshine 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Blue Sunshine 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 9, 2025

In 1976, writer/director Jeff Lieberman found himself with something of a hit with “Squirm,” his take on a “nature’s revenge” offering, involving the very slow violence of worms coming after people. In a smart career move, Lieberman tries something quite different in his follow-up, 1977’s “Blue Sunshine, which turns away from the horrors of the dirt to play into paranoia cinema of the decade. While still retaining some exploitation extremes and B-movie clunkiness, Lieberman does fairly well with his take on an LSD-fueled mystery, creating an engrossing detective tale that encounters a few enjoyably bizarre turns. There’s filmmaking growth, which is what really matters here, making this endeavor arguably the best picture of Lieberman’s career.

A mild-mannered guy, Jerry (Zalman King) has his life turned upside down after witnessing his friend murder a group of innocent women, only to find himself accused of the crimes. Now on the run, Jerry is searching for an explanation for his pal’s raging behavior, coming across clues of hair loss, Stanford diplomas, and steady psychosis, connected to a demonic dose of acid called “Blue Sunshine.” Gradually comprehending the widespread effect of the drug, Jerry enlists girlfriend Alicia (Deborah Winters) to help investigate, tracing the pattern of murders and freak-outs back to a popular politician (Mark Goddard) on the campaign trail.

For additional analysis and information, please read the 2016 Blu-ray review.

Blue Sunshine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Blue Sunshine" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2016. Synapse Films returns to the title for a new UHD release, listed as an "all new 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision." "Blue Sunshine" was perhaps overpraised a decade ago, but Synapse goes the extra mile with the offering, delivering a colorful viewing experience that does very well with the movie's visual highlights. Primaries are powerful, capturing rich reds and blues, finding costuming sharp, along with makeup additions and political signage. Woodsier hues with period architecture and decoration are also intact. Skin tones handle with bloodlessness for crazed characters, and maintain a natural look for others. Greenery is distinct. Detail is excellent, getting into the textures of skin and fine hairs. Clothing retains ideal fibrousness. Interiors are dimensional and open for inspection, especially around mall activity. Exteriors are clear. Blacks are deep, securing evening activity and shadow play. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

Blue Sunshine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"Blue Sunshine" contains the 5.1 DTS-HD MA track as the previous release, and defaults to a 2.0 DTS-HD MA "original mono" mix, which maintains steady engagement throughout the listening event. Voices are crisp and emotive, never encountering challenges to intelligibility. Scoring delivers clear support with defined instrumentation. Sound effects are appreciable.

Blue Sunshine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet offer an excerpt from Jeff Lieberman's book, "Day of the Living Me: Adventures of the Subversive Cult Filmmaker from the Golden Age."

• CD Soundtrack is included.

• Intro (1:29, HD) features writer/director Jeff Lieberman, who stands near a replica of Rodin's "The Thinker" sculpture and shares a brief story about "Blue Sunshine" and its connection to Stanford University and their MK Ultra experiments.

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Jeff Lieberman and film historian Howard S. Berger.

• Commentary #2 features writer/director Jeff Lieberman and filmmaker Elijah Drenner.

• Interview (40:43, 2003) is a 2003 chat with writer/director Jeff Lieberman, who explores the genesis of "Blue Sunshine" and his growing moviemaking confidence after crafting 1976's "Squirm," examines his favorite scenes from the picture, and reflects on the reaction to the offering. Liberman also investigates the "current" state of horror and lists his own favorite movies, tackling the idea of remakes as well. To close out the conversation, the interviewee pages through the "Blue Sunshine" press kit, sharing stories from the production process along the way.

• "Lieberman on Lieberman" (30:13, SD) is a 2002 conversation with writer/director Jeff Lieberman, who explores his formative years, developing a skill with art, helping to expand his love of the grotesque. After seeing "Blow Up," the helmer was ready to submit to a life of film appreciation, eventually launching his career with 1973's "Blade." 1976's "Squirm" proved to be an education in production management, leading into the making of "Blue Sunshine," which suffered from poor distribution, killing the feature's financial potential. Additional career achievements are examined, including "Just Before Dawn," and Lieberman offers some anecdotes about his time in the trenches, even experiencing a near-miss with George Lucas after voicing a desire to make "Flash Gordon."

• "Fantasia Film Festival Q&A" (36:28, HD) pays a visit to a sparsely attended screening of "Blue Sunshine," where writer/director Jeff Lieberman shares tales from the film's production and his personal life.

• "Fantasy Film Festival" (14:03, SD) is a clip from a 1980 interview program for the Z Channel, hosted by a young Mick Garris. The guest is writer/director Jeff Lieberman, who discusses his first film, the worm-centric horror picture "Squirm," and "Blue Sunshine."

• "LSD Short Films" include 1967's "LSD-25" (26:41, HD) and "LSD: Insight or Insanity?" (18:03, HD).

• "The Ringer: Original Uncut Version" (19:44, SD) is a 1972 short film from writer/director Jeff Liberman, who also offers audio commentary.

• "The Ringer: Final Release Edit" (18:32) is also included.

• Image Gallery (5:37) collects film stills, BTS snaps, marketing art, lobby cards, and home video art.

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (2:31, HD) and Theatrical Trailer #2 (2:32, HD) are included.

Blue Sunshine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Not everything works in "Blue Sunshine." Zalman King's lead performance remains a sore spot, deflating screen tension with his method-y ways and hard stares, easily outclassed by the supporting cast. And a few freakouts carry more of a cartoon quality, fighting the limitations of Lieberman's budget. Occasional silliness is there, but "Blue Sunshine" is a decently suspenseful ride with a pleasingly bizarre plot, landing its sense of confusion and exploration with surprising control from the helmer, who delivers a unique movie. It's an impressive achievement.