Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Dead & Buried 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 27, 2021

Gary Sherman's "Dead & Buried" (1981) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground. The supplemental features on the disc include exclusive new audio commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson; additional archival audio commentaries; exclusive new program with Gary Sherman and composer Joe Renzetti; behind the scenes featurette; promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The friendly people

The line “The creators of Alien bring a new terror to Earth” was a key piece of the promotional materials for Gary Sherman’s Dead & Buried. It was on the film’s original theatrical poster and various lobby cards, on different home video releases (from VHS to Blu-ray), and even on a limited run of CDs and some T-shirts. It is easy to understand why. It is a serious attention-grabber. Plus, it instantly makes you anticipate a very particular type of genre film. But you know what? It is also a very clever curve ball. Look at that big head on the poster and everything that surrounds it. What is this place? A desert? An ancient dead sea? Or is this the surface of another planet? It is hard to tell. But if Ron Shusset and Dan O'Bannon delivered the screenplay for Dead & Buried, why wouldn’t you guess that either a large portion or practically the entire film are set somewhere far away from Earth? It seems pretty clear that the poster wants you to do precisely that. And if you did, you would have guessed incorrectly.

It is all by design. It is one of many curve balls from the creators of Dead & Buried.

The ones that the film produces are even better, though more than likely you will begin identifying them when it is already too late. (I will explain why below). Immediately after the opening credits disappear, for instance, a guy with a camera is seduced by a beautiful girl on a desolated beach, but before he can take her in his arms a crowd of mostly middle-aged men and women wrap him up in a fishing net and then set him on fire. While the man is dying, a stranger captures his agony with an even bigger camera. Shortly after, it is revealed that all of the spectators are residents of a sleepy coastal town named Potter's Bluff. All of them seem very friendly, too. But when a family of three that is passing through the area is forced to make a stop and ask for directions, the friendly folks go crazy again. The stranger with the big camera captures their final moments as well. What is going on here? Is Potter’s Bluff full of psychotic killers? Sheriff Dan Gillis (James Farentino) goes to work to figure out precisely that, but he quickly gets lost in a sea of strange stories that contradict the little solid evidence he has been able to gather on his own. On top of this, someone mentions to him that his wife (Melody Anderson) has been spending plenty of time with many of his targets.

The strength of this film isn’t in its ability to shock. It has a couple of quite atmospheric sequences that could put you on the edge of your seat, but they are not the main reason to see it. It is its ability to deceive in some quite original ways while actually being incredibly transparent. What does this mean exactly? It means that everything that you need to figure out precisely what is going on is right in front of you, but a lot is done to downplay its significance and trick you to chase various white rabbits. This is why the finale is so great. Also, because the film was shot with a modest budget, it is awfully easy to misinterpret as yet another one of those conventional horror thrillers that like to rehash the same old genre tricks. The game is different here. It incorporates old genre tricks to pull off a very different trick, which essentially transforms you into a participant without your consent. The entire thing works great, and the inevitable feeling that you have been tricked in multiple, quite intelligent ways is even greater.

It is easy to praise Farentino’s performance because he is right in the middle of the big puzzle and constantly redirecting the film. However, there are fantastic contributions from many other cast members.

Joe Renzetti’s soundtrack is very interesting and in a way yet another curve ball because it feels like it would have been far more appropriate for a classic drama from the late ‘70s.

Dead & Buried 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with HEVC/H.265, Dead & Buried arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground.

The release is sourced from an exclusive new 16-bit 4K master struck from an interpositive that was approved by Director of Photography Steven Poster.

Please note that the screencaptures from the 4K Blu-ray are downscaled to 1080p and are not representative of the actual quality of the 4K content. Color values are different and superior. They appear in the following order:

Screencaptures #1-13 are taken in native 1080p from the Blu-ray.
Screencaptures #16-31 are taken from the 4K Blu-ray.

4K BLU-RAY DISC

I viewed the entire film with Dolby Vision enabled. The first thing that immediately makes an impression is how nicely balanced the visuals are despite the fact that there are all sorts of different density and lighting fluctuations. This makes it very easy to understand where and how specific stylistic choices affect everything that is captured by Steven Poster's camera. Sometimes it can be a subdued background light (see screencapture #1), while elsewhere it can be simply a fine range of earthy colors supported by natural light (see screencapture #5). In darker footage -- of which there is plenty -- you will see excellent ranges of background nuances. Your initial impression could be that this footage is significantly softer than that offered by the previous release of Dead & Buried, but it is vastly superior, with much stronger organic qualities. (By the way, this is very easy to see and appreciate on the Blu-ray release, in 1080p, as well). Grain looks very nicely exposed and resolved (see screencapture #2). Again, it does fluctuate, but these fluctuations are part of the original cinematography. The color grading is very convincing. The primaries look very healthy and remain stable, while the supporting nuances are quite a bit better balanced than they are on the previous release. I projected the film and on a large screen you essentially end up getting a very fine theatrical appearance with lovely nuances. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks spotless as well. (Note: This is a Region-Free release).

BLU-RAY DISC

The film looks really solid in 1080p as well. However, I was not surprised that it does because its creators have done a lot to subdue certain aspects of its visual appearance, so while select nuances are better revealed in native 4K, there is plenty that looks just as good in 1080p. Some of the grain fluctuations are a tad more pronounced here, but this is to be expected because in 1080p grain tends to be slightly more 'loose' than it is in native 4K. (This is one of the reasons I often highlight improvements in fluidity when older films are redone in 2K/4K. On a larger screen, the improvement can make quite a difference). The color palette is very similar, but if you compare it to the one from the 4K Blu-ray release, you will see that there is still a difference in the supporting nuances. Obviously, the entire film looks very healthy again. (Note: This is a Region-Free release).

Dead & Buried 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are four standard audio tracks on the 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases: English Dolby Atmos, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0, and French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I used the Dolby Atmos track to view a large portion of the film and then switched to the Mono track. The main difference that I could hear is what I can best describe as an expanded dynamic field. The new Dolby Atmos track makes the entire soundtrack a lot more 'open'. What does this mean exactly? It means that the improvement isn't noticeable only in superior dynamic contrasts, but in various other areas as well. For example, the dialog could sound fuller. Interestingly, the Dolby Atmos track tends to enhance the chamber quality of Joe Renzetti's soundtrack, so in certain areas you really tell that it was finalized with older recording/mixing equipment.

Dead & Buried 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Audio Commentaries -- there are three archival audio commentaries, plus a brand new one that was recorded by Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson. I am not going to address them in detail because together they essentially cover absolutely everything you might want to know about the production history and lasting appeal of Dead & Buried. I have spent time with all four of them, and the one that I find most interesting is with cinematographer Steven Poster. There is a lot of very specific technical information in it that I found very interesting because it explains how the film was shot and put together.
  
  1. Commentary One - recorded by director Gary Sherman.
  2. Commentary Two - recorded by co-writer/co-producer Ronald Shusett and actress Linda Turley.
  3. Commentary Three - recorded by cinematographer Steven Poster.
  4. Commentary Four - newly recorded by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson.

• Featurettes --
  
  1. Behind the Scenes of Dead & Buried - in this new program, director Gary Sherman introduces raw footage from the shooting of Dead & Buried that was preserved on 8MM film back in 1981. With comments by Gary Sherman, Steven Poster, and first assistant director Brian E. Frankish. In English, not subtitled. (34 min).
  
  2. Dead & Buried Locations: Now & Then - this new program revisits some of the key locations where portions of Dead & Buried were shot. With music. (4 min).
  
  3. Murders, Mystery, and Music - in this new program, Gary Sherman and composer Joe Renzetti recall their collaboration on Dead & Buried and discuss their long professional relationship. There are some very interesting comments about the scoring of particular sequences from the film. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).
  
  4. The Pages of Potter's Bluff - in this new interview, author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro discusses the novelization of Dead & Buried. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).
  
  5. Stan Winston's Dead & Buried EFX - in this archival program, makeup effects designer Stan Winston discusses his career and contribution to Dead & Buried. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).
  
  6. Robert Englund: An Early Work of Horror - in this archival program, Robert Englund recalls how he was offered his part in Dead & Buried and what the film's production process was like. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).
  
  7. Dan O'Bannon: Crafting Fear - in this archival program, screenwriter Dan O'Bannon discusses his love for the horror/fantastic, the nature of fear, and the creation of the screenplay for Dead & Buried. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Trailers --
  
  1. International Trailer
  2. U.S. Trailer
  3. Teaser Trailer

• Promotional Materials --
  
  1. Posters
  2. Advertising Materials
  3. Japanese Souvenir Program
  4. Lobby Cards
  5. Stills
  6. Stan Winston's FX
  7. Video & Book

• Steven Poster's Location Stills --

BLU-RAY DISC

• Audio Commentaries -- there are three archival audio commentaries, plus a brand new one that was recorded by Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson. I am not going to address them in detail because together they essentially cover absolutely everything you might want to know about the production history and lasting appeal of Dead & Buried. I have spent time with all four of them, and the one that I find most interesting is with cinematographer Steven Poster. There is a lot of very specific technical information in it that I found very interesting because it explains how the film was shot and put together.
  
  1. Commentary One - recorded by director Gary Sherman.
  2. Commentary Two - recorded by co-writer/co-producer Ronald Shusett and actress Linda Turley.
  3. Commentary Three - recorded by cinematographer Steven Poster.
  4. Commentary Four - newly recorded by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson.

• Featurettes --
  
  1. Behind the Scenes of Dead & Buried - in this new program, director Gary Sherman introduces raw footage from the shooting of Dead & Buried that was preserved on 8MM film back in 1981. With comments by Gary Sherman, Steven Poster, and first assistant director Brian E. Frankish. In English, not subtitled. (34 min).
  
  2. Dead & Buried Locations: Now & Then - this new program revisits some of the key locations where portions of Dead & Buried were shot. With music. (4 min).
  
  3. Murders, Mystery, and Music - in this new program, Gary Sherman and composer Joe Renzetti recall their collaboration on Dead & Buried and discuss their long professional relationship. There are some very interesting comments about the scoring of particular sequences from the film. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).
  
  4. The Pages of Potter's Bluff - in this new interview, author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro discusses the novelization of Dead & Buried. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).
  
  5. Stan Winston's Dead & Buried EFX - in this archival program, makeup effects designer Stan Winston discusses his career and contribution to Dead & Buried. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).
  
  6. Robert Englund: An Early Work of Horror - in this archival program, Robert Englund recalls how he was offered his part in Dead & Buried and what the film's production process was like. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).
  
  7. Dan O'Bannon: Crafting Fear - in this archival program, screenwriter Dan O'Bannon discusses his love for the horror/fantastic, the nature of fear, and the creation of the screenplay for Dead & Buried. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Trailers --
  
  1. International Trailer
  2. U.S. Trailer
  3. Teaser Trailer

• Promotional Materials --
  
  1. Posters
  2. Advertising Materials
  3. Japanese Souvenir Program
  4. Lobby Cards
  5. Stills
  6. Stan Winston's FX
  7. Video & Book

• Steven Poster's Location Stills --

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Soundtrack - Joe Renzetti's original motion picture soundtrack placed on a separate CD disc. 17 tracks. Total running time: 44.21 minutes.

• Booklet - 18-page illustrated booklet featuring Avco Embassy Pictures: The '80s Home of Horror by Michael Gingold as well as technical credits.

• Cover Art - reversible cover with alternate art.

• Slipcover - moving lenticular slipcover. First pressing only.

Dead & Buried 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I don't think it is fair to profile Dead & Buried only as a horror film because its bag of tricks is almost as deep as the one used by Claude Chabrol's big classic thrillers. Also, it is hard to believe that the coastal town of Mendocino where Gary Sherman and Steven Poster shot the film is actually real because it is absolutely perfect for its story. The folks at Blue Underground have fully restored Dead & Buried under the supervision of its cinematographer and the end result is predictably brilliant. This upcoming 4K Blu-ray release is another huge winner, folks. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.