Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Pledge Night Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 30, 2019

Fraternity life doesn’t need much embellishment to become perfect fodder for horror entertainment, and screenwriter Joyce Snyder sets out to be as authentic as possible when exploring the humiliations of a New Jersey university’s Hell Week in 1990’s “Pledge Night.” Snyder has divided the viewing experience into two parts, examining frat house rituals and a supernatural terror, working to blend the different tones into a one scary event, playing into genre expectations while adding enough realistic grotesqueries to unnerve viewers who may be only prepared for a traditional haunt. “Pledge Night” doesn’t strive to upset expectations, but it’s better film when exploring the reality of fraternity terrors, with Snyder’s effort to transform the movie into a sequel-ready production getting in the way of some genuinely disgusting moments.

It’s the big time for college students Bonner (Todd Eastland), Bodine (Dennis Sullivan), Cagle (Craig Derrick), Goodman (David Neal Evans), Silvera (Robert Lentini), and Zahn (James Davies). The gang has elected to pledge the Phi Epsilon Nu house, with brothers J.D. (Lawton Paseks) and Chip (Michael T. Henderson) prepared to deliver the worst hazing rituals to the newcomers, aided by their sorority sister, Wendy (Shannon McMahon). While the guys endure all sorts of humiliation, Bonner senses something off about this Hell Week, warned by his mother that Acid Sid (Will Kempe) might return to life, having been murdered by his frat brothers in the same house 30 years ago.

The big get for “Pledge Night” are music selections from Anthrax, who add some of their early offerings to the soundtrack, though one has to wonder if college kids really would use “Metal Thrashing Mad” as a mood-setting make-out tune. Anthrax singer Joey Belladonna also appears briefly, portraying young Acid Sid, with the hippie in the late 1960s subjected to fatal bath by his brothers during his Hell Week, creating the monster to come in Snyder’s screenplay. Acid Sid isn’t the only antagonist in the movie, finding Dan (Arthur Lindquist) participating in his own troublemaking as a practical joking brother with a Joker-style laugh.

“Pledge Night” eventually swings around to deal with Acid Sid, but the first hour is really where the B-movie shines, exploring all sorts of awfulness as Phi Epsilon Nu puts together days of torment for the pledges during Hell Week, with Snyder coming up with distinct endurance challenges for the gang, while director Paul Ziller captures it all in loving close-up. There’s the Cherry Race, where pledges carry maraschino cherries in their rear-ends as they race between ice blocks (where the squished cherries ultimately go is the frat’s test of loyalty). The pledges are asked to devour raw eggs (shell and all), and dig around toilets for bananas covered in anchovy paste. Worms are served for lunch, and roaches are tossed on faces. There’s even a “Pig Party,” where the young men are sent into the world to seduce ugly women while wearing a rope around their genitals. By the time “Pledge Night” gets around to paddles, it’s almost a quaint event, but Snyder successfully generates repulsion with these antics, creating a nightmare realm for the pledges, who are determined to survive the week.

Pledge Night Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as "Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative," "Pledge Night" makes an impressive leap to Blu-ray. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is very appealing, with sharp detail on display throughout the viewing experience. Granted, some of these visuals are revolting, but clarity is king, picking up on gooey substances and grisly makeup effects. Period costuming is textured in full, along with interior decoration, delivering a feel for the unclean spaces of the frat house. Colors are exact, with defined primaries emerging from signage and clothing. Red is favored, powerful with casual outfits and bloodshed. Skintones are natural. Delineation isn't problematic. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in strong shape, showing no signs of troublesome wear and tear.

Pledge Night Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix does have some trouble containing soundtrack cues, with age and quality delivering tinny thrash cuts from Anthrax, some offering harsher highs with squealing guitars. Dialogue exchanges are more comfortable, clarifying all performance speeds. Some lines are challenged by the intensity of room atmospherics, but this appears to be an inherent issue. Sound effects are explored without concern. Mild hiss and pops are detected.

Pledge Night Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Hell Weeks" (15:21, HD) is a conversation with director Paul Ziller, who initially details his quest to become a filmmaker, developing his interests as a child, soon attending NYU alongside Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch. Employment with Troma Films followed, becoming their head editor, in charge of reworking the random movies purchased by the company to help create a sizable catalog. Charming producer/screenwriter Joyce Snyder, Ziller was hired to direct "Pledge Night," in charge of making something in New Jersey with $200,000, though he was aware the feature was meant to go straight-to-VHS. Casting highlights are shared, including a day spent with Anthrax singer Joey Belladonna, and Ziller reveals many of the tricks and makeup effects employed to give the effort some gross-outs. While structural arguments with Snyder and editing problems are revealed, the production's battle with the MPAA is most interesting, with organization honcho Jack Valenti personally condemning the picture, forcing Ziller to cut scenes to secure a R-rating.

• "Graduating to Horror" (10:44, HD) sits down with producer/writer Joyce Snyder, who tracks her development in the adult film business, achieving success and collecting awards for her work. Demanding authenticity for "Pledge Night," Snyder researched fraternity Hell Week trials, making sure that everything presented in the picture was based on real life tests of endurance, even recommending the feature to those about to enter the collegiate system, to help prepare for future horrors. She also notes how many of these hazing traditions continue to this day. Snyder praises work from Dean Kartalas, director of special effects, presenting him as the production hero for his creations, and singles out Joey Belladonna as the biggest complainer of the cast and crew. Some casting notes are offered, and Snyder shares a curious anecdote about an actor who quit right before the shoot, refusing to participate in homoerotic hazing scenes. Snyder closes with a plug for her book, "Mistress Pussycat."

• "The Bad Man" (27:06, HD) is a lengthy conversation with Arthur Lundquist, who plays frat nutso Dan. Recalling his interest in acting, Lundquist shares memories from his early gigs and his audition for "Pledge Night," winning over Snyder with his maniacal laugh. The interviewee discusses his relationships with Snyder and Ziller, along with his attention to character detail, especially during scenes of intimidation. Makeup achievements are noted, and Lundquist explores his reaction to Snyder's home studio, which was filled with adult cinema props and toys. Lundquist also shares an entry from his diary, detailing his experience on the set during a difficult day.

• "Hazing from Hell" (12:22, HD) is an interview with Robert Lentini, who left his life as a New Jersey farm boy to become an actor in New York City, delighted to secure a part in "Pledge Night." While he's somewhat reluctant to offer an honest assessment of Snyder's script, Lentini is quick to recall his excitement with the whole experience, sharing memories of the hazing challenges, including his first on-screen kiss, pressure to eat live worms, and his interaction with roaches, which were eventually pored all over his face. Asked to assess his own performance, and Lentini carefully declares the shoot a learning experience, also happy that "Pledge Night" is being offered for rediscovery on Blu- ray.

• Locations Featurette (2:59, HD) is a short visit to Rutgers University, with Snyder narrating a tour of frat houses used in the picture, also listing the hazing crimes committed inside these buildings.

• And a Trailer (:57, HD) is included.

Pledge Night Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Pledge Night" eventually turns over to Acid Sid and his reign of terror for the third act, and while makeup achievements are appropriately vivid and the cast is whipped into a fury, there's a noticeable dip in suspense as Ziller starts to organize banal stalking sequences that carry on for far too long. Snyder's trying to manufacture her own horror hero with Acid Sid, but the dangers of a malevolent ghost running around a frat house aren't nearly as gut-churningly enjoyable as the hazing scenes, with the movie unexpectedly more effective as a snapshot of reckless behaviors in the name of ridiculous collegiate honor than a routine fright film.