Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Red Spirit Lake Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 21, 2022

Co-writer/director Charles Pinion attempts to conjure a special sinister mood with 1993’s “Red Spirit Lake.” It’s an offering of underground cinema that’s captured on video, with Pinion striving to create a disturbing viewing experience involving elements of evil in a rural setting. It’s not exactly a fresh take on the same old hellraising, but the helmer hopes to darken the endeavor with grisly acts of violence and focus on torture, sold with surreal touches and defined moments of shock value.

“Red Spirit Lake” follows Marilyn as she takes possession of a home she inherited from her Aunt Abigail, who was mysteriously murdered. Marilyn becomes a target for wicked men who want the dwelling, commencing a psychological and physical battle for control. Pinion hopes to shake up the norm with his “cinema of transgression” approach, creating a battle royal of lunatics united in their hatred of women, which is part of many Pinion fixations that makes one wonder what audience “Red Spirit Lake” is truly for.

Red Spirit Lake Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

A shot-on-video release from Saturn's Core, the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Red Spirit Lake" manages to retain most of its low-res appeal. Listed as a "brand new restoration of the original master tapes," clarity is as good as it gets with this type of moviemaking, offering a very mild degree of detail as makeup additions and displays of skin are provided. Colors also register acceptably, exploring the woodsy interiors of the home, the snowbound whiteness of the exteriors, and various costuming choices. Red blood offers some punch. Delineation goes about as far as it can. Source is in decent condition, with periodic points of damage.

Red Spirit Lake Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix preserves dialogue exchanges, with unintelligibility never an issue during the listening experience. Technical limitations are noted, but conversations and yelling matches are comfortable. Score and soundtrack offerings aren't crisp, but remain acceptable, with passable instrumentation.

Red Spirit Lake Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Charles Pinion.

• "Red Reason to Live" (15:10, HD) is an interview with director Charles Pinion.

• "Dissection of a Shot" (3:30, SD) is raw footage of the "Red Spirit Lake" shoot.

• Deleted Scenes and Outtakes (34:35, SD) for "Red Spirit Lake" are provided.

• "Madball" (3:01, SD) is a 1988 short film from director Charles Pinion.

• "Try Again" (8:41, HD) is a 2015 short film from director Charles Pinion.

• "Ultra Rare Footage" (SD) includes "42nd Street, Fall 1988" (:46), "The Screw Magazine Bathroom" (1:18), "Mechanical Sterility Performing 'Body of Christ'" (2:24), and "COTA Live Performance" (48:33).

• And a Trailer (4:32, SD) is included.

Red Spirit Lake Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pinion has some bold visual ideas, which keep "Red Spirit Lake" somewhat interesting, despite a story that never catches fire and low-budget production inconsistencies that break the feature's mood. Pinion is aiming to craft something provocative and grim, bringing his vision of visceral horror to the world of SOV offerings, which has some trouble communicating his sadistic ideas.