My Bloody Banjo Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

My Bloody Banjo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker August 19, 2024

Liam Regan's 'My Bloody Banjo' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Refuse Films. This release, limited to 1000 units, comes with a slipcover signed and numbered by director/writer/producer Liam Regan. The first film of the 'Banjo Saga', which also includes 'Eating Miss Campbell', has two cuts presented here, the Director's Cut (1.33.43) and the Festival Cut (1.26.02). An impressive array of supplemental features are also included. It is available for purchase at refusefilms.com.

Things are not going well for Peltzer Arbuckle (James Hamer-Morton). His girlfriend Deetz (Dani Thompson) is abusive and emascuating. His tyrannical and soul-sucking boss Mr. Sawyer (Vito Trigo) torments him daily at the office of "ReamsForLess" where he takes sadistic glee in torturing the other employees as well. Peltzer is inclined to continue to suffer this nonstop avalanche of indignities until one day when he gets injured in a most tender place and his imaginary friend Ronnie returns to help him exact his revenge.

For those unfamiliar with slang usage of "banjo" as it is employed in the film, it refers to an intimate part of the male anatomy and not the stringed musical instrument famously played by Earl Scruggs of the legendary bluegrass duo Flatt and Scruggs. From the moment the title card appears on the screen viewers should be well aware of the assault on good taste and the senses that is about to unfold. For the duration of the film's approximately 90-minute runtime, a little more in the Director's Cut and a little less in the Festival Cut, My Bloody Banjo seeks as much to entertain as it does to offend in a manner that would no doubt have Lloyd Kaufman (who appears in the film) grinning from ear to ear. The cast is universally game for the insane on-screen action, especially Thompson and Trigo, who embrace their villainous roles with gusto. Violence and gore are frequent, with significant amounts of blood spilled at routine intervals and some very solid effects work that will induce squirms, winces, and laughter as well; in some scenes, all at the same time.

My Bloody Banjo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Director's Cut of My Bloody Banjo's MPEG-4 AVC encoded 1080p transfer is beyond what its low-budget roots would suggest. Fine detail levels are high with many opportunities to appreciate facial and environmental particulars, Deetz's makeup, and the specifics of tattoos. Colors are nicely saturated, with primaries, most often reds, popping nicely - especially Deetz's necklace and Mr. Sawyer's vest. Skin tones look healthy and realistic save for those moments where they are obviously impacted by purposeful lighting or makeup choices. Blacks are deep and inky and only occasionally absorb detail. Banding, however, is noticeable from time to time.

It's a different story with the Festival Cut. Here, detail levels can't consistently reach the heights of what is seen in the Director's Cut. Skin tones aren't as convincing and can fluctuate between natural, reddish and sallow. Blacks are still deep and inky but can and often do absorb detail in mid- and long-shots and noise is an occasional offender as well. Optically, the Director's Cut which was re-editing from the source material, is the superior viewing option.

My Bloody Banjo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

My Bloody Banjo's video presentation is supported by an English DTS 2.0 audio track that is as utilitarian as the ReamsForLess offices. This front-based track keeps dialogue nicely centered, and it is always crisp and understandable. Ronnie's processed voice carries an excellent amount of menace. Violent sound effects like punches can sound a bit thin, though others, like slices and cuts have all of the oompf and realism they need. Larger sets like the gym and the tiled bathroom have a pleasing echo and help create a cavernous sense of space.

My Bloody Banjo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Aside from the Limited Edition signed and numbered slipcover, the this release is outfitted with a wealth of on-disc supplemental material.

• Making of 'Banjo" Documentary (44.30) - Beginning with a history of the project, witness the (sometimes tense) creation of the film with plenty of input from the cast and Lloyd Kaufman.

• Audio Commentary - Viewers can choose from the "Director's Cut Commentary", the "Festival Cut Commentary", and the "Festival Cut Cast & Crew Commentary".

• Outtakes (4.55) - A collection of bloopers and gaffes.

• Gore Reel (3.04) - Behind-the-scenes footage of some of the film's bloodier momeents.

• Deleted Scenes (11.29) - Deleted scenes along with information about which version of the film they were in if applicable.

• Raw B-Roll (8.19) - A short collection of behind-the-scenes footage.

• Red Carpet Interviews (4.03) - The Evil Twins quickly interview Director/Writer/Producer Liam Regan, Serena Chloe Gardner (Melissa), Dani Thompson (Deetz), Dan Palmer (Terrance), and Laurence R. Harvey (Clyde).

• Festival Trailer (2.04)

• Proof of Concept Trailer (2.41) - A pitch trailer for the film.

• Proof of Concept Scene (1.09) - A short scene produced to show the style and nature of the film.

• Short Film (13.52) - Regan's original short film featuring similar scenes and plot points but different actors.

• 'Eating Miss Campbell' Trailer (1.42)

• VFX Reel (1.53) - A progression of selected shots.

My Bloody Banjo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Liam Regan, himself a fan of low-budget horror and the works of Troma and Frank Hennenlotter among others, has crafted his own darkly comedic and twisted tale with My Bloody Banjo, a project elevated by the performances of Dani Thompson, Vito Trigo, and James Hamer-Morton. Not for the squeamish, the easily offended, or those used to slick, big-budget Hollywood horror, this project should delight those with similar tastes. While I found the Director's Cut to be a bit more entertaining, and The Director's Cut looks dramatically better as well, the Festival Cut is worth a look. Viewers can choose between the two cuts and decide for themselves which they prefer before digging into the mountain of extras. Gory and unique, My Bloody Banjo comes recommended to low-budget gorehounds.