Deranged 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Deranged 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 6, 2025

What a time to be a horror fan in 1974, with two features using the gruesome story of Ed Gein and his special shut-in nightmare to fuel cinematic endeavors. Of course, there was “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” transforming the Gein tale into an adrenalized survival story, becoming an enduring classic that’s still capable of shocking viewers to this day. And there’s “Deranged,” which is a more direct take on the Gein saga, welcoming viewers to the horrible tale of “The Butcher of Woodside” and his descent into madness and murder. While a polar opposite viewing experience from “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” “Deranged” has a distinctly creepy tone as directors Jeff Gillen and Alan Ormsby try to visit the ruined mind of the main character, moving carefully into extra dangerous and demented behavior. There’s excellent atmosphere in the offering, which successfully delivers a case of the creeps while dramatizing some of Ed Gein’s more heinous activity for drive-in audiences.

An aging farmer in the Midwest, Ezra Cobb (Roberts Blossom) is trying to make sense of his mother's illness, watching Ma Cobb (Cosette Lee) fade away in her bedroom, filling her son's head with crude messages on the evils of women before she passes. Devastated by her loss, Ezra cocoons himself in his home, losing what's left of his sanity as he's influence by Ma months after her death. Looking to reconnect, Ezra digs up her remains and returns Ma home, building a new life of domestic peace that soon requires additional company. Setting out to find young women to kill and skin, Ezra encounters a few victims who put up an unusual fight, while best friend Harlon (Robert Warner) suspects nothing, refusing to believe that someone so mousy and dim could be capable of murder and mutilation.

For additional information an analysis, please read the 2015 Blu-ray review.

Deranged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Deranged" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2015, and now returns to disc via Vinegar Syndrome, who bring the picture to UHD. Listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly scanned and restored from its 35mm original camera negative," the movie looks distinctly cinematic, with heavy, well-resolved grain throughout the viewing experience. Detail is excellent, reaching as far as original cinematography allows as the endeavor explores all kinds of decayed bodies and community members. Skin particulars are clear, retaining '70s oiliness, and gore zone visits are defined. Farmland expanse is dimensional, delivering a true sense of intended isolation. Interiors are open for inspection, maintaining depth and decoration. Color is consistent, with a cooler sense of domestic life and outdoor atmosphere. Signage and some costuming bring out brighter hues, and paint-like blood reds are vivid. Skin tones are natural. Blacks are deep throughout, preserving evening activity. Highlights are tasteful.

Deranged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers clear dialogue exchanges, preserving performances choices and echo-y mental breakdowns. Emotionality remains understood, and scenes of panic push the limits of production technology. Scoring is crisp, delivering distinct organ accompaniment. Sound effects are appreciable, along with atmospherics for the cold weather picture.

Deranged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains an essay by Staci Layne Wilson.

• Commentary #1 features co-director Alan Ormsby.

• Commentary #2 features special effects artist Tom Savini.

• Commentary #3 features film historian Richard Harland Smith.

• "Very Unnatural Deaths" (12:33, HD) is an interview with special makeup effects artist Tom Savini, who was working on his break into the industry in the early 1970s, striking up a conversation with the art director of "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things," impressing him with his portfolio of gruesome creations. Days later, Savini was employed in 1974's "Death Dream," meeting Alan Ormsby on the production. Moving on to the production of "Deranged," Savini was put in charge of makeup effects, recalling creative efforts to make nasty business for the endeavor, which was shot in Canada. The interviewee celebrates actor Roberts Blossom and his interpretation of the main character, learning everything about Ed Gein during filming. Special technical efforts are dissected, including the creation and distribution of blood, and the purchase of weapons. The gig was a "dream come true" for Savini, helping him to move from theatrical productions to movie shoots, gifting him an incredible career.

• "It Was a Fun Time!" (11:48, HD) is an interview with actor Brian Smegal, who recalls his audition story, aiming to move from the theater to film, learning about the process along the way. Experiencing quite an introduction to the ways of Roberts Blossom, Smegal was ready to roll with the unusual production, keeping an eye on the star and his peculiar ways. The interviewee supplies recollections from the shoot, dealing with two directors and a cinematographer who shared leadership positions, also commenting on the violence of the material and its troubling tone. Smegal also offers his memories of watching the feature in a theater for the first time, only to recognize that his last name was misspelled in the end credits.

• "Disturbed, Demented, Deranged" (24:03, HD) is an appreciation piece from film historian Stephen Thrower.

• "The Making of 'Deranged'" (13:00, SD) is a 1998 featurette, offering interviews with producer Tom Karr, co-director Jeff Gillen, and special makeup effects artist Tom Savini. What's amazing here is actual footage from the production of "Deranged," capturing the working atmosphere of the set. Interviews discuss the story origins and plot of the picture, also praising star Roberts Blossoms. Focus is primarily on the creation of the makeup effects, examining how certain gruesome visuals were executed.

• Interview (17:19, SD) with producer Tom Karr is an informative but extremely bizarre conversation, which looks like it dates back to the mid-1990s, yet makes references to Blu-ray and "Django Unchained." Editing is also strange, frequently cutting back to interviewer Nikki Voories, who's busy scribbling notes during a videotaped discussion. The whole thing looks like a Tim & Eric skit, but Karr is prepared, well- rehearsed when it comes time to share anecdotes (some slightly lecherous) about the "Deranged" shoot and its production history. As seems to be the case with all these aged horror producers, he holds out hope for a remake.

• Intro (:15, SD) is a quick greeting (and warning) from special makeup effects artist Tom Savini.

• TV Spot (:39, SD) offers a single commercial for "Deranged."

• Image Gallery (:54) collects poster art, film stills, and publicity shots.

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:35, SD), Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:08, SD), and Theatrical Trailer #3 (1:41, SD) are included.

Deranged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Deranged" is in no hurry, sustaining a slow-burn pace as Ezra loses touch with reality, growing increasingly determined to maintain his "family" of bodies, leading to a few grisly acts of murder and mutilation. There's broadness to the feature, but also a docudrama approach to create a sense of authenticity, which helps the viewing experience. And there's Roberts Blossom, who delivers a mighty performance as Ezra, getting into the stickiness of the character's insanity as matters worsen for the man and his community. It's a wonderfully committed performance for a picture that needs such focus, helping the material keep its distance from pure ridiculousness, finding something more sinister to share instead.