Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.0

Hellraiser: Bloodline Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 16, 2024

Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of Arrow's Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment set.

Perhaps out of deference to Clive Barker's home country, Arrow released its massive Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment sets in both 1080 and 4K UHD formats almost exactly a year ago as this review is being written. Both formats were covered by me at the time of their UK release, and these Region A sets basically duplicate what was in the previous Region B sets, so I am repeating information and providing links as appropriate.

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. 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 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Hellraiser: Bloodline is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p 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. First off, the aspect ratio is correct, and it actually looks like Echo Bridge didn't just zoom for a 1.78:1 presentation, they kind of "squished", somewhat hilariously. Color timing is also much improved. From the looks of Marty's screenshots, the Echo Bridge version almost looks artificially brightened. While the palette is certainly in the same general vicinity of the Echo Bridge release, and again judging solely by screenshots, it looks better saturated and more "natural", albeit within a context that uses blue and red gradings and/or lighting regimens in an almost nonstop fashion. 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, I wouldn't say this is "noisy" in the traditional sense. Detail levels are often impressive in the non graded material in particular, though I was kind of pleasantly surprised by how well they made it through the heavily blue scenes in particular.

Hellraiser: Bloodline 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 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 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.