6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A British couple on a break on a small Greek Island are spreading terror beyond anything the islanders could have ever imagined. Only stopping every once in a while to shag anything that moves, be it man, woman or animal. But will they go unpunished, or will the inspector from London be able to put an end to their killing spree?
Starring: Robert Behling, Jane Lyle, Jessica Dublin, Gerard Gonalons, Jannice McConnellHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 32% |
Thriller | 4% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 1.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Nico Mastorakis' "Island of Death" (1976) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video//MVD Entertainment Group. The supplemental features on the disc include an original theatrical trailer for the film; video interview with the Greek director; new featurette with film historian Stephen Thrower; alternative opening titles; five original tracks from the film's soundtrack; and more. The release also arrives with a 22-page illustrated booklet featuring: "A Cruel Destination: The History and Legacy of Island of Death" by Johnny Walker and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
The maniac
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Nico Mastorakis' Island of Death arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video//MVD Entertainment Group.
The film has been restored in 2K and the majority of it looks quite good. Early on, in particular, depth and clarity are excellent (see screencaptures #6 and 7 ). Sharpness levels are also managed very well. Grain is retained and well resolved and there are no traces of compromising digital sharpening. This being said, there are numerous tiny specks and scratches that pop up throughout the entire film. More importantly, there is a rather large section during the final third of the film where sizable color shifts and density fluctuations emerge. Some light warping is visible as well. According to the restoration information supplied by Arrow Video, the current fluctuations can be traced back to the badly damaged Reel 5 of the original negative. (These also include the insertion of select frames from a pre-existing SD master). Despite the fluctuations, however, the film has a convincing organic appearance. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your Blu-ray player regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles have been provided for the main feature.
Generally speaking, depth and clarity are rather pleasing. Balance and overall dynamic intensity are also good. However, there are numerous sequences where the high-frequencies are either partially clipped or there are obvious light distortions. Occasionally, some clicks and pops are also easy to hear. The effects are not overly distracting, but their presence cannot be ignored. According to the restoration information supplied by Arrow Video, the mono soundtrack was transferred by Nico Mastorakis before their project was initiated and these issues were retained.
Nico Mastorakis' Island of Death is as bad as advertised. It is a cheap exploitation film that does not even come close to matching the atmosphere of Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (the film that inspired it). If for some strange reason you like it and have been waiting for a good home video release to emerge, then you don't want to miss Arrow Video's new Blu-ray. The film has been exclusively restored in 2K and despite some minor source limitations I am convinced that this will remain its definitive presentation on the home video market. If you don't know anything about Island of Death but want to find out why it appeared on the notorious "video nasty" list in the United Kingdom, my advice is to find a way to rent it first.
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