Reefer Madness Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Reefer Madness Blu-ray Movie Review

Drugs on the mind...

Reefer Madness is one of the most talked about “drug culture” films ever produced. Though the film was originally produced as a moral film under the original title of Tell Your Children to discuss the topic of the negative side effects of using the drug marijuana, the film was later re-branded from exploitation market distributors as (in addition to Reefer Madness): Dope Addict, Love Madness, Doped Youth, and The Burning Question. No matter what it is called, the film has a big reputation.

The story revolves around the drug-dealing duo of Mae (Thelma White) and Jack (Carleton Young). Expanding on their business, Jack decides it is time to sell marijuana to teenage youths. Despite the initial objections of Mae, the drug-business picks up with kids like Bill (Kenneth Craig) and Jimmy (Warren McCollum) beginning to take the addictive drugs: smoking marijuana is the start of a slow path towards self-destruction. It isn't long before the youth of the story are attending drugged out parties with vibrant music.

"Any more sugar?"

From a story by Lawrence Meade (The Marines Come Thru, Sunset Murder Case), the screenplay by Arthur Hoerl (Before Morning, Shanghai Rose) is zany and over-the-top. The course of events seems highly unrealistic and melodramatic. The strange nature of the script is noteworthy. Directed by Louis J. Gasnier (Sin Cargo, The Tiger's Trail), Reefer Madness is surprisingly comical (and it should manage to appeal to a broad base regardless of how one feels about drug culture).

There is simply something about Reefer Madness that is fascinating. Viewers on either side of the drug culture fence will notice it: it seems perfectly capable of appealing to those against drugs and to those who find objections to marijuana humorous (hence the “exploitation” market re-branding). The end result is something that might not be too effective as an anti-drug film but that remains an interesting foot note in the canon of cinema history and it is worth a watch. Take note.

Reefer Madness Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Reefer Madness is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio. The presentation appears outdated and is decidedly scratchy and outdated. There are also some blown out details with regards to overall white balance. The end result is an image that looks inconsistent and average at best. While the scan is still serviceable, it looks as though it could have benefited from a more in-depth restoration.

Reefer Madness Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented with an uncompressed PCM 2.0 16 bit audio track. The sound quality on the release is underwhelming and sounds decidedly thin. The average sound quality is not much to write home about and is clearly not the result of any careful restorative work. On the bright side, dialogue remains easy to understand. Though the track can sound a bit muffled and is less refined than is ideal. There is also clear audible hiss and crackle apparent during the audio track.

Reefer Madness Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

For more information on the supplemental features, please refer to the primary review page for the Reefer Madness / Sex Madness double feature.

Reefer Madness Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Reefer Madness isn't some long-lost cinema masterpiece but it is an entertaining example of re-branding in cinema: from a moral guidebook to exploitation fare. The film is so over the top that it makes it fit both brands. The Blu-ray is worth a look for those interested.