Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Night Screams 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 29, 2023

As explored in the supplementary material on this release, 1987’s “Night Screams” had a lot of difficulty in the editing room. The first cut of the film came up short, inspiring some to attempt to add padding to the feature to help bring it to a sellable run time. However, instead of using more footage from the original shoot to do so, outside sources were utilized, including sequences from 1981’s “Graduation Day” and, weirdly enough, adult movies, with John Holmes, Seka, and Honey Wilder suddenly showing up in the endeavor. Delivery of these additions isn’t completely clunky, sold as television and VHS viewing for couples trying to entertain themselves, but it’s an odd creative choice, and would probably be more intrusive in a more exciting picture. “Night Screams” hopes to add some bloodshed to the slasher genre, but there’s little effort to really dig into suspense, with director Allen Plone failing to inspire a more heated understanding of horror with this meandering attempt at violent entertainment.

David (Joe Manno) is a high school football star, primed to carry his talents to college. His parents are supportive but controlling, expecting David to follow their instruction, putting pressure on the young man as he faces his future. David doesn’t do well with stress, with medication helping to cool his burning mind, also handling interest from his girlfriend, Joni (Megan Wyss). A big party is arranged for the teens, with everyone coming out to celebrate, visiting a local club, while evening activity settles into a house, giving relationships a chance to be worked on. Also in town are Runner (Tony Brown) and Snake (John Hines), two criminals on the run, killing anyone who stands in their way. As the festivities roll out, bodies soon pile up, with a mysterious murderer on the loose, targeting the teens.

Death comes early in “Night Screams,” with the movie introducing a couple trying to enjoy an evening broadcast of “Graduation Day” and some late-night grilling. These aren’t characters to follow, merely nameless victims as death comes to interrupt the evening, giving the feature a quick hit of graphic violence before the actual story is introduced. For that, “Night Screams” heads to high school, where David has once again proved himself on the field, helping his school win again, delighting fans and his parents, who have big plans for their son. David’s crisis of individuality is as close to a dramatic arc as it gets here, with the tormented young man struggling to push back on his mom and dad as he contemplates a different direction for his life, helping his behavior with pharmaceutical support.

The rest of “Night Screams” is focused on party happenings, giving the screenplay a chance to introduce new characters and identify future victims. Most of these personalities are bland, adding little to the picture besides teen horndog behavior, with the production looking to play directly to expectations when it comes to the low-budget horror experience of the 1980s. Nudity is a little different, with scenes from pornographic efforts added to bring bare skin to the endeavor, which is strange to see. However, it’s a bit of oddity “Night Screams” needs, as the rest of the picture is a basic understanding of slightly obnoxious characters being stalked and murdered, with kills occurring in a sauna, under a car, and in a pool, with one victim taking an ax to the head.

“Night Screams” is presented in two version: the Theatrical Cut (85:00) and a Reconstructed Version (80:04), which attempts to restore the feature to its original vision, losing all extra footage added to beef up the run time.

Night Screams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray

The Theatrical Cut is "Night Screams" is the only version offered in 4K, which is sourced from a 35mm original camera negative. The results are mighty impressive, delivering a strong sense of detail throughout the viewing experience. Skin particulars are open for examination, and costuming remains fibrous with period outfits. Living spaces offer nice depth and a full look at decorative additions. Exteriors retain appealing dimension. Colors are active, with bold primaries on clothing choices, bringing out brighter reds and blues. Blood is exact. Club lighting runs compellingly hotter. Greenery is distinct. Blacks are deep, preserving evening action and shadow play. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition. Jumps to added footage are perhaps even more noticeable on the UHD, making for an interesting understanding of the editing process on the movie.

Night Screams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a fresh understanding of dialogue exchanges. Emotional activity is easily understood, along with performance choices. Synth support is sharp, bringing a crisp electronic creep to suspense sequences. Soundtrack selections are also defined, with compelling instrumentation. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.

Night Screams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Allen Plone and cinematographer Eric Anderson.

• "Blood and Chopsticks: Echoes of 'Night Screams'" (80:06, HD) is the making-of for the feature, featuring interviews with producer/co-writer Dillis L. Hart II, executive producer Richard Caliendo, cinematographer Eric Anderson, director Allen Plone, makeup artist & special makeup effects artist Diana Lee-Sottler, special effects/costume/art department/props artist Tim McGill, and actors Megan Wyss, Ed Baker, Barbara Schoenhofer, Mike Roark, Susan Lyles, and Dennis Arnold. For Hart II, dreams of film school were dashed by the responsibilities of life, but he managed to find his way into the Universal Studios mailroom, using his job as a way to make connections. The other interviewees also worked their way into the world of filmmaking, handling growing responsibilities in Kansas. The original director of "Night Screams" wasn't working well with the actors, fired after a few days of shooting, triggering a scramble to replace him, ending up with Plone, while Hart II received some critical advice from John Carpenter, helping him to hire the right people. The Wichita casting experience is closely analyzed, with most of the ensemble aiming to get beyond their commercial and theater training, and characterization is highlighted. On-set atmosphere is recalled, with Plone demanding kindness and support during the high-pressure shoot. Special effects and makeup are explored, with cast and crew dealing with a limited budget and some lapses in safety. The saga of the Sweetheart Dancers is recalled, and editing woes are identified, as "Night Screams" struggled with a short run time and missing footage, requiring padding for theatrical distribution, with somebody, somewhere electing to add adult clips to the feature. The interviewees all recall their initial viewings of the movie, enjoying the weirdness of the endeavor. They also value the learning experience the production provided, with many receiving their first professional shot, fondly recalling the adventure.

• And a Trailer (2:03, HD) is included.

Night Screams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Night Screams" has a few weird moments, including a full performance from the Sweetheart Dancers troupe, with the production stopping to watch these bedazzled performers bust a move on a nightclub dance floor. The writing also adds plenty of red herrings and supporting players to increase the mystery of it all, keeping the effort loaded with people to meet and follow. However, actual tension is seldom encountered in "Night Screams," which is run-of-the-mill stuff from uninspired filmmakers trying to make B-movie magic happen in the wilds of Kansas. To highlight the desperate nature of the picture, scenes from the endeavor are repeated during the end credits, really identifying the push to get this feature to something of a run time. Actual screen suspense wasn't as prioritized.