Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

Evil Town Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 24, 2019

Crazy doesn’t even begin to describe the viewing experience of “Evil Town.” The picture began life in the mid-1970s under the creative guidance of Curtis Hanson. The helmer eventually left the project, requiring others to pick up the slack, with the original version of the feature released in 1977. Producer Mardi Rustam wasn’t about to let the project die an unprofitable death, returning in the early 1980s to film new footage, editing fresh storylines into the flow of the earlier production, eventually issuing the movie on VHS in 1987.

The patchwork quilt nature of “Evil Town” is its most interesting element, as Rustam tries to merge footage that was clearly created in entirely different eras. There’s a story about travelers trapped in a small town populated with seemingly helpful people, while wicked Dr. Schaeffer (a post- stroke Dean Jagger, who has trouble with his lines) is secretly mastering a plan that makes use of fresh bodies. For star power, there’s James Keach in the leading role, but the rest of the endeavor introduces all sorts of actors for random parts, as Rustam’s creative goal here is to keep “Evil Town” stuffed with characters, even if they don’t have anything to do with the unfolding narrative.

There’s an element of horror to “Evil Town,” but scares aren’t prioritized. Rustam’s work beefs up chases through a forest, and delivers grotesque body collectors, with local stooges enjoying a chance to sample captured females before taking them to the hospital. The 1970s contributes a slow- burn affair featuring kindly old people trying to push buttermilk donuts on Keach’s hippie and his pals. The 1980s provides sexual content, bantering young women, and plenty of toplessness (Playboy Playmate Lynda Wiesmeier is hired to fulfill all nudity requirements), with Rustam perhaps figuring that storytelling isn’t going to keep viewers glued the screen. How any of this makes sense is beyond me, but there’s a definite charm in watching “Evil Town” pretend that its puzzle pieces fit perfectly.

Evil Town Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented as "Newly scanned and restored in 2K," "Evil Town" supplies a mercifully cohesive viewing experience during its AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. While one can easily spot the differences between shooting dates from the 1970s and '80s, colors remain vivid, with period fashion supplying a nice primary push, while small town greenery is just as bright, contributing to the rural mood. Skintones are natural. Detail captures interior decoration with home and hospital visits, and facial surfaces enjoy the varied ages of the cast. Delineation is satisfactory, preserving frame information. Grain is heavy with the 1975 shoot, but quite film-like. Source is in terrific shape.

Evil Town Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix does very well with the limited sonic scope of "Evil Town." Dialogue exchanges are clear and clean, maintaining performances. Scoring is inherently thin, but the miniature synth push to stir up suspense performs as expected. Sound effects and atmospherics aren't advanced, delivering a modest sense of threat and surroundings.

Evil Town Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Interview (31:46) chats with co-director Larry Spiegel, who discusses his personal history in the film business and details his experience on "Evil Town," helping to hammer the feature into shape when Curtis Hanson left the project.

• "Compare and Contrast" (6:26, SD) is an amusing collection of clips showcasing how much producer Mardi Rustam recycled shots and plot lines between "Evil Town" and 1985's "Evils of the Night."

• A Trailer has not been included.

Evil Town Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are three directors credited on "Evil Town," with Rustam billed separately, and while the endeavor makes a valiant effort to suggest the film is the work of one production team, it's really Rustam's imagination that keeps the feature on the go. He turns to filler often, but his vision for a scary movie using weird science wins out in the end. "Evil Town" isn't thrilling, but it's the rare picture where its construction and history is more fascinating than the final product. One shouldn't watch it to seek chills. It's the sheer moneyman vision for the project that's most compelling.