Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		5.0

Maniac 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 10, 2020

Bill Lustig's "Maniac" (1980) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground. The supplemental features on the disc include two exclusive featurettes with the director; two vintage audio commentaries; large amount of archival promotional material for the film; documentary about actor Joe Spinell; vintage interview with composer Jay Chattaway; vintage interview with actress Caroline Munro; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Russian, Swedish, and Thai subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

In the United States, the 4K restoration of Bill Lustig's Maniac was first released on Blu-ray in 2018. To see our listing and review of this release, please click here.

Maniac 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with HEVC/H.265 and granted a 2160p transfer, Bill Lustig's Maniac arrives on 4K Bluray courtesy Blue Underground.

The release is sourced from the label's recent 4K 16-bit restoration of the film which was introduced on Blu-ray in 2018. You can see our listing and review of this release here.

First, I think that this release offers a bigger upgrade in quality than the upcoming release of Lucio Fulci's Zombie, but not because the technical presentation is done differently. Rather, the native qualities of the 16mm material are such that the move from 1080p to 2160p actually produces stronger and perhaps easier to appreciate improvements. More importantly, these improvements are not just in darker areas where nuances and shadow definition typically look superior in 2160p -- delineation, sharpness, clarity, and fluidity now appear more convincing throughout the entire film. Viewers with larger screens that pay attention to grain exposure should also easily recognize the more even and 'tighter' appearance of segments that reveal some small density fluctuations in 1080p. (Screencapture #9 is from one such segment). Furthermore, when viewed in Dolby Vision the 4K presentation reveals a superior color scheme. The primaries look more vivid and have wider ranges of supporting nuances, even in segments where the original photography makes some appear slightly muted. This makes quite a difference during nighttime footage where unique lighting routinely impacts the viewer's perception of depth. Also, I would like to specifically mention that the blacks have expanded nuances that undoubtedly contribute to the superior delineation. Stability remains the same. All in all, I think that the move from 1080p to 2160p gives this film the type of solid cinematic organic appearance that usually movie theaters provide. It is quite incredible, really.

Maniac 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 4K Blu-ray release features a Dolby Atmos audio track that was prepared exclusively for it. The Blu-ray release that emerged a few years ago has English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1.

The new Dolby Atmos track introduces new dynamic contrasts, which I think is exactly what folks that like this film will expect from it. The difference is pretty significant and easy to appreciate. However, all of the organic sounds and noises become more prominent as well. Interestingly, I think that the overall dynamic balance is actually managed better, so transitions sounded more even to me. Or, it could very well be that the new mix creates the impression that it is so. The atmospheric score sounds wonderful, so if you can, turn up the volume quite a bit while viewing the film with the Dolby Atmos track.

Maniac 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Theatrical Trailers - a collection of vintage trailers for Maniac.
  
  1. U.S. "Hard" Trailer - fully remastered in 4K. (2 min, 1080p).
  2. U.S. "Soft" Trailer - fully remastered in 4K (2 min, 1080p).
  3. International Trailer - vintage international trailer (4 min, 480/60i).
  4. French Trailer - vintage French trailer. In French, not subtitled. (2 min, 480/60i).
  5. German Teaser - vintage German teaser. In German, not subtitled. (1 min, 480/60i).
  6. German Trailer - vintage German trailer. In German, not subtitled. (3 min, 480/60i).
  7. Italian Trailer - vintage Italian trailer. In Italian, not subtitled. (4 min, 480/60i).

• TV Spots - a collection of vintage American TV spots for Maniac. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 480/60i).
  
  1. TV Spot: "Stalking"
  2. TV Spot: "Models"
  3. TV Spot: "Subway"
  4. TV Spot: "Helicopter"
  5. TV Spot: "Car"
  6. TV Spot: "Cemetery"
  7. TV Spot: "Toy"
  8. TV Spot: "Poster"
  9. TV Spot: "I Warned You"

• Radio Spots - presented here are four vintage American radio spots for Maniac. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p).

• Commentary One - this vintage audio commentary features director Bill Lustig and producer Andrew W. Garroni. The two gentlemen offer a wide variety of factual information about the conception of Maniac. For example, Bill Lustig confirms that the film was partially inspired by Jaws, with the killer shark becoming a dangerous loon on the loose in New York City. (The beach sequence in the beginning of Maniac clearly pays homage to Steven Spielberg's film). There are interesting comments about the color-grading of the film; an investigation of a real murder of a prostitute that apparently took place in the hotel where Joe Spinell kills one of his early targets; some specific lensing choices that were made at particular locations; the fact that Maniac was a learning experience for Bill Lustig; the funding of the film; the rated and unrated versions of the film; the home video history of the film and the cult status that it acquired, etc. The commentary was recorded in July, 2010.

• Commentary Two - this vintage audio commentary features director Bill Lustig, special make-up effects artist Tom Savini, editor Lorenzo Martinelli, and Joe Spinell's assistant, Luke Walter. Once again, there is a wealth of technical information about different aspects of the production of Maniac. Some of the comments that I found quite interesting address the film's sound design and effects and how they presented unexpected challenges to a few theater owners in the early '80s; the decision to shoot on 16mm; Bill Lustig's hilarious cameo in the hotel where the maniac initially goes berserk; the overlapping of the world of the maniac with the real world and the specific sound effects that were used to distinguish the two; etc.

BLU-RAY DISC

• Featurettes -
  
  1. Maniac Outtakes - in this exclusive new featurette, Bill Lustig introduces unique raw footage from the shooting of Maniac that has never been seen before. The director also discusses in great detail where and how different segments from his film were shot. In English, not subtitled. (19 min, 1080p).
  
  2. Returning to the Scene of the Crime - in this exclusive new featurette, Bill Lustig returns to the key locations in New York where he shot Maniac. The director also highlights a few of the notorious serial killers from the '70s and how they inspired different genre films, how the Big Apple changed -- apparently for the worse -- over the years, and Joe Spinell and his contribution to Maniac. In English, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080p).
  
  3. Anna and the Killer - in this archival interview, Caroline Munro remembers her work with Bill Lustig on Maniac and describes her initial impressions of the complete film. The actress also discusses the early stages of her modeling/acting career. In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).
  
  4. The Death Dealer - in this archival interview, special make-up effects artist Tom Savini recalls his involvement with Maniac and explains exactly how he did some of his most shocking effects, including the "bleeding knife". In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).
  
  5. Dark Notes - in this archival interview, composer Jay Chattaway discusses the types of harmonic contrasts that his soundtrack introduced in Maniac, as well as the actual scoring process and Bill Lustig's passion for film music. In English, not subtitled. (13 min, 1080p).
  
  6. Maniac Men - in this archival featurette, songwriters Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky address a fascinating old "controversy" involving the origin of the famous "Maniac" song from Flashdance as well as its connection to Bill Lustig's film. Hilarious featurette. In English, not subtitled. (11 min, 1080p).
  
  7. The Joe Spinell Story - this terrific archival documentary focuses on the colorful life and legacy of actor Joe Spinell. Included in it are clips from old interviews with actor/producer Frank Pesce, actor Luke Walter, actor and good friend Richard Lynch, and writer/director William Kennedy (The Undertaker), amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (50 min, 480/60i).
  
  8. Mr. Robbie - Maniac 2 promo reel. In English, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080p).

• Publicity -
  
  1. "Paul Wunder" Radio Interview - in this archival interview, Bill Lustig, Joe Spinell and Caroline Munro discuss the conception of Maniac and their work together during the shooting process. Audio only. (20 min, 1080p).
  
  2. Bill Lustig on "Movie Madness" - in this archival featurette, Bill Lustig discusses his love for action and exploitation films, his maturation as a director, the production of Maniac, the film's critical reception and specifically what two famous critics from Chicago had to say about it, the type of thrills that exploitation and horror films are meant to deliver, etc. In English, not subtitled. (48 min, 480/60i).
  
  3. Joe Spinell at Cannes - presented here is archival footage from the Cannes Film Festival with Joe Spinell announcing that there will be a Maniac 2. In English, not subtitled. (1 min, 480/60i).
  
  4. Joe Spinell on "The Joe Franklin Show" - in this archival episode of The Joe Franklin Show, Joe Spinell discusses his involvement with Maniac and some other characters parts that he had done before committing to it. In English, not subtitled. (14 min, 480/60i).
  
  5. Caroline Munro TV Interview - in this archival interview, Caroline Munro discusses her decision to join the cast of Maniac. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 480/60i).
  
  6. Barf Bag Review Policy - a real blast from the past featuring Katie Kelly. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 480/60i).
  
  7. Grindhouse Film Festival Q&A - in this archival Q&A session, Bill Lustig and Sharon Mitchell talk about the good old days and their work on Maniac, as well as Joe Spinell's wild lifestyle and colorful personality. In English, not subtitled. (23 min, 480/60i).
  
  8. Still Gallery - a large collection of vintage stills, posters, magazine clips, VHS covers, DVD covers, CD jackets, and photographs. (1080p).

• Controversy -
  
  1. Los Angeles - presented here are three vintage TV reports from Los Angeles area-based networks that address the supposedly scandalous nature of Bill Lustig's film.
  
  
  • Channel 7 News, 3/6/81, 11:00pm (2 min, 480/60i).
  • Channel 11 News, 3/6/81, 10:30pm (2 min, 480/60i).
  • NBC Tomorrow Show, 3/10/81 (4 min, 480/60i).
  
  2. Chicago - another similar TV report from the Chicago area.
  
  
  • Channel 2 News, 2/3/81, 10:00pm (2 min, 480/60i).
  
  3. Philadelphia - and another batch of similar TV reports from the City of Brotherly Love.
  
  
  • Channel 10 News, 3/2/81, 11:00pm (1 min, 480/60i).
  • Channel 3 News, 3/3/81, 6:00pm (1 min, 480/60i).
  • Channel 3 News, 3/6/81, 11:00pm (1 min, 480/60i).
  • Channel 6 News, 3/6/81, 5:30pm (1 min, 480/60i).
  
  3. "Newsbeat" - the two segments below focus on the use of violence in American films its marketing by the studios that produce them. Clips from archival interviews with directors and famous critics are included.
  
  
  • Violent Movies. (13 min, 480/60i)
  • Movie Violence. (9 min, 480/60i)
  
  4. "Midnight Blue" - additional content with pornographic director Al Goldstein.
  
  
  • Al Goldstein rants against violent movies. (4 min, 480/60i)
  • Al Goldstein mutilates his love doll. (3 min, 480/60i)
  
  5. Gallery of Outrage - presented here is a great collection of quotes from "outraged" mainstream critics that produced some quite colorful reviews after Maniac opened in theaters across the United States. There is even an intriguing message that came all the way from the Philippines. (1080p).

Maniac 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Reviewing this upcoming 4K Blu-ray release of Bill Lustig's cult thriller Maniac felt a bit like examining a personal DCP copy of the film. I think that when it is screened in 4K Maniac looks pretty incredible, so if you want a definitive release of it in your collection you can place your order with confidence now. What else can I say here? Well, hopefully the crew at Blue Underground has many more such brilliant projects in the pipeline. I would love to see a lavish 4K restoration of Tinto Brass' Salon Kitty presented on 4K Blu-ray. Oscar-winning production designer Ken Adam, who teamed up with Stanley Kubrick on Barry Lyndon, did some astonishing things to bring Brass' vision of period excess to life, and we have never seen a proper release of this mad film. There are all kinds of other great genre films from the boutique label's catalog that would look terrific on 4K Blu-ray as well. So, if Maniac and Lucio Fulci's Zombie are some of your favorite films, support them on 4K Blu-ray and send a message to Blue Underground that it is always a good idea to have more of its catalog upgraded. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.