Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Corruption Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov August 9, 2021

Robert Hartford-Davis' "Corruption" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary by critics David Miller and Jonathan Rigby; new video interview with actor Phillip Manikum; archival promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

That's it. Freak out, baby!

In the United States, Corruption was released on Blu-ray by Grindhouse Releasing in 2013. For an in-depth analysis of the film, please see Brian Orndorff's review of this release here.

Synopsis: In the 1960s, director Robert Hartford-Davis (The Black Torment, The Fiend) teamed up with producer/cameraman Peter Newbrook (The Asphyx) to make a series of low-budget films capitalising on the cinematic crazes of the day. In 1968, the duo stridently ventured into the surgical horror subgenre with Corruption, a grim update of Eyes Without a Face, transposed into the scenic south-coast seaside town of Seaford, via Swinging Sixties London.

In a surprising performance, Peter Cushing (Captain Clegg, The Revenge of Frankenstein) stars as a high-class plastic surgeon who is driven to murder as part of a demented quest to rebuild the decaying visage of his fashion model wife (Sue Lloyd, The Ipcress File), who has been severely scarred at a party.

Corruption 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, Corruption arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

There are three different versions of the film on this release, two of which initially appeared on Grindhouse Releasing's North American release. Short description of the discrepancies between these versions can be seen in one of the menu shots at the bottom of this review.

I viewed the U.S. version and then did a few quick comparisons with the other two versions. I think that despite some minor fluctuations, which appear to be most obvious around particular editing choices, overall the film looks very nice after it was remastered in 2K. (The 2K restoration of the film was prepared quite a while ago). At times it does look a tad softer than it should, but it has strong organic qualities and this is far more important. Colors look vibrant and healthy as well, though I certainly think that some of the supporting nuances could have been balanced slightly better. Why? Because on darker areas, but sometimes even during well-lit footage, some of the darkest nuances begin to crush. In select areas stability could be improved as well. (You will notice some extremely light pulsations, usually in backgrounds with lighter ranges of supporting nuances). There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. I noticed small white specks and even some blemishes popping up here and there, but there are no distracting large debris, cuts, marks, warped or torn frames to report. (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).

Corruption 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 provided for the main feature.

The audio is clear and stable. There are a few spots where it could sound a bit 'boxy', but this is an inherited limitation. The upper register is clean and stable. Dynamic intensity is good, but keep in mind that the age of the production easily shows, which means that this is another area with inherited limitations. There are no encoding anomalies to report in our review.

Corruption Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailers From Hell - a vintage episode of Trailers From Hell with Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead). In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Laser Killer Opening Titles - sourced from a VHS. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Stephen Laws Introduces Corruption - in this new video piece, Stephen Laws, horror novelist and fan of Peter Cushing, quickly introduces Corruption and addresses some of its controversial qualities. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Trailers, TV Spots, and Radio Spots - in English, not subtitled. (9 min).
  
  1. UK Theatrical Trailer
  2. U.S. Theatrical Trailer
  3. Five TV Spots
  4. Two Radio Spots

• Cast Interviews -
  
  1. Phillip Manikum: The Reluctant Beatnik - in this new video interview, Phillip Manikum recalls how he was offered the part of Georgie in Corruption, what the shooting process was like, and his interactions with Robert Hartford-Davis and other cast members. Corruption was his first film. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).
  
  2. Whatever Happened to Wendy Varnals? - in this archival video interview, Wendy Varnals discusses her short acting career and involvement with Corruption. The interview was conducted in 2013. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).
  
  3. Interview with Billy Murray - in this archival interview, Billy Murray explains why he is glad that he contributed to Corruption and why he hasn't seen it (apparently he is 'scared' of it) and discusses the shooting process. The interview was conducted in 2012. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).
  
  4. Interview with Jan Waters - in this archival interview, Jan Waters vaguely recalls her initial encounter Robert Hartford-Davis and discusses her preparation for her part as well as work with Peter Cushing. The interview was conducted in 2012. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• The BEHP Interview with Peter Newbrook - presented here are audio excerpts from archival interviews with Peter Newbrook conducted by Alan Lawson and Roy Fowler in 1995 for The British Entertainment History Project (BEHP). The actor discusses his background and career. In English, not subtitled. (90 min).

• The Guardian Interview with Peter Cushing - this archival audio interview with Peter Cushing was conducted by David Castell at the National Film Theatre in London on March 25, 1986. The actor discusses his upbringing and the evolution of his enormous career, with an emphasis on his Hammer legacy. The actor also answers different questions from the audience. In English, not subtitled. (69 min).

• Image Gallery -
  
  1. Production Stills
  2. Promotional Materials
  3. Director's Shooting Script

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by David Miller and Jonathan Rigby. It initially appeared on Grindhouse Releasing's Corruption of Corruption.

• Production Stills - exclusive set of five replica production stills.

• Isolated Music & Effects Track - presented as DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0.

• Book - exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Laura Mayne, archival articles and interviews, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and tecnical credits.

Corruption Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In the archival episode of Trailers From Hell that is included on this release, Edgar Wright declares that Corruption is a rip-off of Eyes Without a Face. It is true. It is a pretty mediocre rip-off as well. It could have been an interesting 'swinging shocker' of sorts, but it struggles to produce the right atmosphere and instead ends up rehashing only a bunch of genre cliches. If your take on Corruption is drastically different and want to have a good release of it in your library, you should consider picking up this lavish set from Indicator/Powerhouse Films. RECOMMENDED, but only to the fans.