Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Halloween III: Season of the Witch 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 4, 2021

In 1982, producers John Carpenter and Debra Hill decided to do the one thing that most people don’t do in Hollywood: they took a creative risk. They delivered a massive hit in 1978’s “Halloween,” and begrudgingly decided to return to duty for 1981’s “Halloween II,” but the pair grew tired of dealing with the murderous ways of Michael Myers, putting The Shape to bed after two commercially triumphant endeavors. The duo wanted to do something different, looking to take the “Halloween” brand name into a different direction, with plans made to generate a new spooky story for the holiday every year, working with the specifics of Halloween to create fresh possibilities for big screen horror. The first and only chapter to make it out alive was “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” which didn’t include Michael Myers, going to a far darker place, exploring the macabre plans of a mask maker and his dream to kill the children of America after they go trick-or-treating.

It’s not the most tasteful plot, but director Tommy Lee Wallace does something compellingly sinister with “Halloween III: Season of the Witch,” offering a slow-burn detective story that occasionally runs into gory acts of bodily harm. There’s black magic, Irish pride, robotic henchmen, and a 24-year age difference between stars Tom Atkin and Stacey Nelkin, who are tasked with selling a sexual subplot that’s slightly more terrifying than kids melting into piles of bugs and snakes on Halloween. Wallace doesn’t blink when it comes to the lunacy of the picture, playing everything straight, which works for the production, giving it the feel of a horror short story presented with widescreen gloss by cinematographer Dean Cundey and electronic stomp from composers Carpenter and Alan Howarth.

For additional analysis and information, please read:

The 2018 Blu-ray review by Stephen Larson.

The 2012 Blu-ray review by Martin Liebman.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray release of "Halloween III: Season of the Witch."

Previously issued on Blu-ray by Shout Factory, the company now brings "Halloween III: Season of the Witch" to 4K, using a new scan of the original camera negative (approved by cinematographer Dean Cundey). Arguably the most colorful installment of the franchise, the movie delivers with nuanced hues throughout, capturing the surprising amount of red hair on characters, and pink and yellow motel/gas station paint. Of course, the Silver Shamrock masks offer real pop here (orange and green are powerful), along with costuming, delivering sharp blues and reds. Skintones are natural. Town tours highlight red brick and green signage, also supplying rich greenery. Delineation is precise, with deep blacks capturing shadowy encounters and evening activity. Whites are crisp, with sharp hospital coats and thinning hair on Cochran. Highlights offer tastefully bright lighting sources and rich orange infernos. Daylight has a natural presence as well. Detail is superb, exploring rougher facial textures on Atkins and doll-like smoothness on Nelkin. Gore zone visits retain their graphic appearance, showcasing shredded skin and goopy robotic elements. Exteriors offer strong dimension, displaying long streets, and interiors offer precise decoration, especially during factory visits. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While the 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix from previous releases is present, a 7.1 Dolby TrueHD track is also offered on the UHD. Scoring holds real power here, delivering a sharp sense of synth intensity and electronic creep, with a circular sense of immersion to help with mood. The Silver Shamrock jingle also throbs with sinister synth repetition, highlighted throughout the film. Low-end does well with stings and heavier scoring cues, but elements such as explosions lack a bit of oomph, registering flatter than expected. Dialogue exchanges are clear, at times reaching the limitations of the original recording. Atmospherics are detailed, with changes in weather and room tone. Sound effects are pronounced throughout, revealing some of the production's Hanna-Barbera-esque choices on punches and the movement of goopy innards.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Tommy Lee Wallace.

• Commentary #2 features actor Tom Atkins.

Blu-ray

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Tommy Lee Wallace.

• Commentary #2 features actor Tom Atkins.

• "Tricks, Treats, and Terrors: The Masks of 'Halloween III'" (7:29, HD) is an interview with art director and lead sculptor Justin Mabry, who grew up obsessed with "Halloween." Learning more about mask making as he matured, Mabry experimented with style and materials before co-founding his own company. The interviewee detail mask history, exploring the origins of the "Halloween III" trio and his efforts to recreate Silver Shamrock seasonal gear. The masks were also used in 2018's "Halloween" and 2021's "Halloween Kills," identifying cult fandom for the once maligned film.

• "Stand Alone: The Making of 'Halloween III'" (33:09, HD) features interviews with writer/director Tommy Lee Wallace, "Halloween" producer Irwin Yablans, stunt coordinator Dick Warlock, costume designer Jane Ruhm, co-composer Alan Howarth, cinematographer Dean Cundey, and actors Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, and Brad Schachter. Wallace opens with a story about his dismay with "Halloween II," dropping out as a director, fearing his relationship with John Carpenter and Debra Hill was lost. The producing pair came to Wallace to do something with "Halloween III," envisioned as a stand-alone horror movie that could spawn sequels and more spin-offs. Screenplay challenges are recalled, with Wallace aiming to update "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Casting is analyzed, with much respect paid to Dan O'Herlihy, who came prepared for his villainous part. Locations are remembered, along with mask making and costume design. Music cues are assessed, as Howarth collaborated with Carpenter to create the synth sound, and the Silver Shamrock theme is celebrated. Release woes are fascinating, with little done to prepare audiences for a Michael Myers-less sequel, but Wallace shares his excitement with cult appreciation, turning a box office bomb into a franchise highlight.

• "Makeup from Scratch with Tom Burman" (6:00, HD) is an interview with the special makeup designer, who details his formative years working with his father in Hollywood. Dealing with a shortage of trained professionals during the 1970s and '80s, Burman became a teacher to many while trying to keep up with assignments. And he shares an anecdote concerning his idea for an ending to "Halloween III," which he shared with John Carpenter, who didn't enjoy the submission.

• "Horror's Hallowed Grounds" (19:44, HD) is hosted by Sean Clark, who bops around the California locations of "Halloween III," eventually joined by writer/director Tommy Lee Wallace.

• T.V. Spots (2:11, SD) provide four commercials for "Halloween III," including a spot for its television premiere.

• Radio Spots (1:43) offer three ads.

• Newsprint Ad Gallery (2:42) gathers advertisements from various cities and dates, also including re-releases and television airings.

• Still Gallery (6:19) collects film stills, publicity photos, and BTS snaps.

• Poster and Lobby Cards Gallery (3:00) collects international art, film stills, and newspaper ads.

• And a Teaser Trailer (:47, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (1:59, HD) are included.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Halloween III: Season of the Witch" has a few moments of unintended silliness, but craftsmanship is present, along with a creeping sense of dread as the main character faces an unwinnable situation of doomsday prevention. It's perhaps the strangest of the "Halloween" movies, but also refreshingly contained to its own story, showing promise as a yearly event before the realities of uninformed audience expectations quickly ended such a tempting dream.