5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 1.5 | |
Overall | 2.2 |
On a remote South-Sea island a tribal prince is killed by a witch doctor for making friends with the nearby American expedition providing medical care while they research nuclear fallout. Before his death, the prince swears revenge and returns from the grave as a giant tree-like monster bringing death to the prince's enemies (and anyone else who gets in the monster's way).
Starring: Tod Andrews, Tina Carver, Linda Watkins, John McNamara, Gregg PalmerHorror | 100% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 0.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 1.5 |
Anyone who has ever trolled a movie site claiming that some popular hit or certified classic is "the worst movie ever made" should be required to order this new Blu-ray of the walking tree epic, From Hell It Came ("FHIC"), which achieved honored status in Tim Healey's compendium of The World's Worst Movies. The 1957 release from Poverty Row studio Allied Artists spends two thirds of its running time building up to the onslaught of a lumbering monster that's about as scary as a block of wood (which is exactly what it is). But every film has its fans, and the Warner Archive Collection is adding FHIC to the same Blu-ray collection that boasts masterpieces like Bad Day at Black Rock and The Big Sleep, because fans demanded it. They won't be disappointed. WAC has done its usual first-rate work in bringing this prime exemplar of "so bad it's good" cinema to Blu-ray.
From Hell It Came was shot by Brydon Baker, who enjoyed a long and successful career as director of photography for the cut-rate Westerns and monster movies produced by the second string studios collectively known as "Poverty Row". For this 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, a fine-grain master positive was scanned at 2K by Warner's Motion Picture Imaging facility, followed by the usual color-correction and cleanup. The result cannot transcend FHIC's limited budget (or transform it into a good film), but within the limits of the source, the Blu-ray offers a crisply detailed black-and-white image that allows the viewer to revel in the often amusing cheapness of the sets and costumes, many of which look like they were purchased for Halloween. (Even in B&W, it's obvious that every outfit worn by a native was machine-manufactured rather than handmade.) The standout scenes feature the Tabanga itself, whose gnarled and knotty bark is a fascinating study in form battling function, since it has to be both intimidatingly solid, yet flexible enough for an actor to walk while wearing it. Blacks are solid, shades of gray are finely rendered and contrast is strong. WAC has mastered FHIC with it usual high average bitrate, here 34.997 Mbps, and even with that generous allotment of space, the 71-minute film fits comfortably on a BD-25.
FHIC's original mono audio has been taken from the magnetic master and encoded on Blu-ray in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0. The same low-budget origins that are evident in the visuals are apparent here as well, with underwhelming sound effects and limited dynamic range. Still, the dialogue is always clear (and, in a few instances, the ADR is obvious), and the score by Darrell Calker, a ballet composer turned "B" movie staple, provides unintentional comedy, accompanying the ridiculous proceedings onscreen with deadly serious instrumentals.
The sole extra is the film's trailer (1080p, 1.78:1; 1:56), which has been remastered in 1080p. WAC's 2009 DVD of FHIC was similarly bare.
FHIC is a terrible movie and has been rated accordingly, but that hardly matters. Its badness is
what distinguishes it and has inspired and sustained its loyal cult following. In Leonard Maltin's memorable
phrase: "As walking-tree movies go, this is at the top of the list." WAC's new Blu-ray is one for
the fans, and in that respect, it is recommended on its technical merits. Blind buyers beware.
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