Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.0

Hellraiser: Bloodline 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 3, 2023

Note: This version of this film is available as part of Arrow's Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment 4K collection.

The problem with those pesky portals to other dimensions is that there's evidently no way to keep them permanently closed, which may be why Arrow is revisiting the Hellraiser franchise just a few years after it brought out the rather extravagantly packaged Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box. The good news is, while Arrow can almost always be counted for rather luxe packaging one way or the other, they've seen fit to offer fans new 4K restorations of the first four films (note that the aforementioned Scarlet Box only offered the original triptych), as well as at least some new supplements augmenting previously produced bonus features, though not all of the legacy supplements from The Scarlet Box have made it over to these releases, for those keeping track. Maybe sometimes it's a good thing when a multidimensional portal won't stay closed.

This is the only film in this new collection which wasn't included in The Scarlet Box release, and so I'll point those interested in a plot recap to Martin Liebman's Hellraiser: Bloodline Blu-ray review of Echo Bridge's 1080 release for Region A, which can also provide an opportunity for screenshot comparisons.

Hellraiser: Bloodline 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from Arrow's standalone 1080 release. This set does not include 1080 discs.

Hellraiser: Bloodline is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HVEC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow provides the same hardback book for both its 4K UHD and 1080 releases, and it contains the following information on this latest restoration:

Hellraiser: Bloodline is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with stereo 2.0 and 5.1 sound. The original 35mm camera negative was scanned at Fotokem and restored in 4K resolution at Silver Salt Restoration, London. The film was graded in SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision by Silver Salt Restoration, London.

Marty was understandably less than thrilled with Echo Bridge's 1080 release, but judging from his comments, virtually all of his issues have been at least ameliorated with this version, if not outright eliminated, and I'd go further to state that this 4K UHD version really provides some great new highlights for the many blue and red tinged scenes courtesy of HDR and/or Dolby Vision. The aspect ratio has been corrected, and it actually looks like Echo Bridge didn't just zoom for a 1.78:1 presentation, they kind of "squished", somewhat hilariously. Even apart and aside from the nice highlights HDR adds, the overall color timing is much improved in this version, offering a somewhat darker but still rather lusciously suffused presentation. The ping ponging between blue and red gradings and/or lighting regimens actually doesn't seriously impede fine detail levels, and in the more "normally" lit or graded sequences, fine detail is typically excellent. Marty thought grain mixed with noise in the Echo Bridge release, and while this is very grainy at times, to the point that things can look just slightly pixellated, especially in this 4K UHD version, I wouldn't say this is "noisy" in the traditional sense. My score is 4.25.

Hellraiser: Bloodline 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Marty also wasn't overly enthusiastic about the Echo Bridge's LPCM 2.0 track, stating that a surround track would have been preferable, and in that regard, Arrow offers both a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, both of which sound rather robust. Even the stereo track offers some clear panning and directionality, but the surround track nicely opens up everything from score to sound effects, especially as things become more and more gonzo. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Hellraiser: Bloodline 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Echo Bridge's Region A 1080 release sported no supplements, so all of the following are newly produced or released:

• Audio Commentary by Stephen Jones, Peter Atkins and Kim Newman


• Beautiful Suffering (HD; 27:48) gets into the intersection of goth, BDSM and fetish influences in the films. There are some, um, interesting interview subjects in this one.


• Alternate Workprint (HD; 1:22:11) comes with the following text preamble:

  The following version of Hellraiser: Bloodline is a workprint with temporary music and sound effects. It was assembled sometime after Kevin Yagher's departure from the film; even though his name is still listed as director in the opening credits, it is most emphatically not his director's cut, which remains lost.
  
  This version, which has a different plot structure and some alternate material compared to the final 'Alan Smithee' cut, is presented from a timecoded VHS, the best material available for this release.

• More Alternate Footage (HD; 5:51) can be accessed under the Alternate Workprint menu and provides a few more minutes of footage.


• Hellraiser: Evolutions (HD; 48:15) is an archival documentary with a glut of background information and interviews.


• The Books of Blood and Beyond (HD; 19:23) is an appreciation of Barker's literary efforts by David Gatwalk.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:14)


• Image Gallery (HD)

Hellraiser: Bloodline 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hellraiser: Bloodline may be the Clive Barker version of "in space, no one can hear you scream", except maybe they can. This is another example of the law of diminishing returns for an established franchise, but Arrow has done fans a service by offering a release with generally solid technical merits and some nice supplements.