Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Killing Birds Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 9, 2020

While I’ve covered films before that have multiple titles for worldwide distribution or simple marketplace shenanigans, I’ve never encountered a picture where there’s no real defined choice in a name. 1987’s “Killing Birds” is sometimes called “Talons,” or “Zombie 5.” It’s even titled “Zombie 5: Killing Birds” in some places, risking great confusion for those curious about the endeavor but have no clue which version to watch. The good news is that there’s only one “Killing Birds,” which is the title I’m settling on here, even though the movie only features a few scenes of antagonistic feathered friends. The bad news is that all this work to identify the production is wasted on a mediocre picture from director Claudio Lattanzi, who appears to have some ambition to craft a horror experience with whimpering victims and lumbering zombies, but provides very little style and incident for this type of entertainment.

In the late 1960s, a young Vietnam veteran returns to his Louisiana home after war, only to find his wife sleeping with another man. The soldier murders the lovers and her parents, leaving only his infant son alive before he’s blinded by local hawks. In the late 1980s, Loyola University student Steve (Timothy W. Watts) receives a grant to establish an expedition to find the rare ivory billed woodpecker, joined by a crew of specialists and Anne (Lara Wendel), a reporter. Entering the bayou, the team enjoys their time in the wild, but they soon come across an empty house filled with birdcages. Setting up shop inside the abandoned dwelling, the students realize there’s an evil force in the home, while Steve makes a connection with Dr. Brown (Robert Vaughn), a blind bird researcher who seems aware of the trouble the visitors are in.

There’s an opening rampage in “Killing Birds,” highlighting the Vietnam vet’s massacre of his family with a hunting knife before his own blinding due to angry hawks, who manage to pluck out one eye before the criminal gets away. It’s the last bit of gory violence in the film for quite some time, with attention moved over to Steve and his expedition, gathering buddies to enter the wild and search for a rare bird. The screenplay doesn’t use the time to define personalities, mostly sticking with Steve and Anne, an abrasive reporter who’s trying to get the story of a lifetime with the woodpecker scoop. And, possibly, there’s depth with Brian (Sal Maggiore), a lunkhead security officer whose presence isn’t needed, but he manages to land the feature’s biggest laugh when he whips out a harmonica and enthusiastically plays the instrument for the resting crew.

“Killing Birds” shows off rural Louisiana and enters swampland, giving the effort some breathing room as the team endures hikes and boat rides to acquire clues in the woodpecker case. Fun stops when they discover the abandoned house, reducing “Killing Birds” to a dull sequences where the characters experience the wrath of evil spirits, finding the occasional zombie appearing from the depths to stalk the living. Hallucinations for Steve are present as well, but nothing really happens in “Killing Birds” for long periods of time, and there’s no way the largely amateur cast can save the endeavor, as acting is pretty weak, leaving pro Vaughn to do what he can with limited screentime. As for violence, makeup effects are surprisingly lame, with seams often showing on the magic tricks, ruining their potency. One centerpiece head-tearing visual clearly shows the head is clearly not being torn. The production offers no polish.

Killing Birds Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, offering a new HD appreciation for a feature that built a cult following on VHS and DVD. Clarity is excellent throughout, reaching cinematographic limitations with a crisp look at facial surfaces and makeup effects, exposing the failure of many bloody ideas for bodily harm. Location distances are dimensional, capturing roadside signage and swamp expanse. Interiors examine decrepit rooms. Costuming is fibrous. Colors enjoy real presence with period clothing and greenery, which is especially vivid throughout the viewing experience. A horror palette of blood reds and zombie grays comes through with care. Birds deliver brighter hues. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source is in good shape, with some mild judder, scratches, and brief debris.

Killing Birds Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"Killing Birds" wasn't made with the most attentive care to the nuance of film sound. In fact, the production seems to struggle with aural clarity, dealing with background noise and swampland cacophony. The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track does what it can with the original mix, following dialogue exchanges that are reasonably clear, but periodically deal with wavering levels and mild sibilance issues. Scoring also ranges from faint smooth jazz support to more aggressive drum machine rolls and synth stings. Vinegar Syndrome does what it can with the mix, battling inherent issues to bring out the best of what "Killing Birds" has to offer.

Killing Birds Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Samm Deighan.

• "Birds of a Feather" (15:07, HD) is an interview with sound recordist Larry Revene, who shares his history with Italian productions, initially hired to provide sync sound for 1987's "Warrior Queen," helping the local industry move away from pure dubbing. Revene also details his working relationship with director Joe D'Amato (Aristide Massaccesi), impressed with the filmmaker's speed and capabilities, taking on several roles during production. Title confusion is addressed, as is the casting of Robert Vaughn, who was brought in for two days to help the feature receive attention from potential distributors. The interviewee explores the pains of shooting in the bayous of Louisiana during August, and breaks down relationships among Italian crews, with many in a family moviemaking business. Revene closes with an anecdote about catering, highlighting thinning patience for McDonald's menu items from the Italians and local wildlife.

• "Talons" (49:10, HD) is an interview with director Claudio Lattanzi, who recalls his introduction to moviemaking, joining the crew of the documentary "Dario Argento's World of Horror," where he befriended producer Michele Soavi. A screenplay submission helped Lattanzi acquire a shot at helming "Killing Birds," with the title a source of confusion for the creator, while actual screenwriting duties were awarded to Daniele Stroppa, not Shelia Goldberg as listed on the film. Lattanzi offers his memories of working for Filmirage, and his time with D'Amato, denying the producer was the true helmer of "Killing Birds." He also discusses his early ambition for the picture, soon realizing that he couldn't get what he wanted out of the low-budget shoot. Tales from the location and the haunted house are shared, and casting is explored, discussing Vaughn's presence and the amateur status of the American actors. Lattanzi is candid about disappointing makeup effects, but he reinforces his comfort with the final cut, delighted it's finding a new audience on Blu-ray.

• And an American Trailer (2:42, HD) and an Italian Trailer (2:42, HD) are included.

Killing Birds Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Maybe "Killing Birds" was once envisioned as a study of combat shock. Perhaps it was conceived as the first ornithology horror film. What's actually here is a stiff presentation of haunted house scares from a production more concerned with budgetary expenditure than the creation of cinematic highlights. There's camp value in some of "Killing Birds," but certainly not enough to sustain the viewing experience, which goes for long periods of time before anything of note happens.