Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Screams of a Winter Night Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 21, 2022

1979’s “Screams of a Winter Night” is notable for being one of the few horror films of the era to offer frights to a wider audience, securing a PG-rating for this drive-in release. It’s also a picture that was heavily edited, with the anthology feature dropping one of its segments after a test screening, losing nearly 30 minutes from the run time (the segment has been restored on this Blu-ray). Such severe cutting is usually a problem for most movies, but less time with “Screams of a Winter Night” is actually a good thing, as director James L. Wilson isn’t too familiar with the benefits of pacing, preferring to play the endeavor as slowly as possible, thinking often unbearable stillness somehow equals suspense.

Traveling into the deep woods, a group of college students deal with isolation by telling scary stories, examining strange tales of hauntings and death. The gang also deals with the possible presence of the spirit Shataba, who terrorizes the land, soon coming for the twentysomethings as they sort through their personal problems and relationship challenges.

“Screams of a Winter Night” takes 25 minutes before fireside storytelling begins, with the screenplay spending an extensive amount of time with bland characters brought to life by untested actors. Personalities are limited here, but Wilson is happy to watch them for as long as possible, eventually getting around to the anthology aspect of the picture. Horror is equally flaccid, presenting lukewarm takes on nightmarish situations, failing to build into anything even remotely scary. There’s certainly some atmosphere to the feature, which invests in the intimidation factor of howling winds and backwoods locations, but Wilson doesn’t have timing, at all, preferring to linger on banal interactions and lengthy shots of nothingness.

“Screams of a Winter Night” is presented in two versions: a “Director’s Edition” (118:44) and a Theatrical Cut (91:29). The former includes a fourth segment deleted from the feature before release.

Screams of a Winter Night Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Screams of a Winter Night" offers a "Director's Edition" of the feature, which is simply listed as a "2K scan." The source is fairly roughed up, with lots of wear and tear. Damage is common, with jumpy frames and lengthy scratches. Color is periodically inconsistent but acceptable, with decent primaries from costuming and lighting choices, and the autumnal atmosphere of the location is intact. Skintones are natural. Detail is soft throughout the viewing experience, offering a basic appreciation of skin surfaces and cabin activity. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is chunky.

Screams of a Winter Night Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix also deals with elements of age, offering dialogue exchanges that occasionally run into sibilance issues. Clarity isn't threatened, but crispness isn't present. Scoring registers with limitations as well, but remains appreciable. Atmospherics are prioritized, favoring howling winds.

Screams of a Winter Night Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (:46, HD) features an awkward chat between a man dressed as a banana and actor Gil Glasgow.

• Interview (21:22, HD) is a 2016 chat with actor Gil Glasgow, who shares his casting story, hired for "Screams of a Winter Night" with members of a theater troupe. Louisiana locations are recalled, including interactions with the locals, and Glasgow remarks on his personal look at the time, which was compared to Freddie Prinze. Co-stars are recalled, along with camaraderie. The interviewee offers anecdotes from the shoot, including a head injury sustained from a slammed car door. Glasgow is a bit amazed by the cult longevity of "Screams of a Winter Night," remarking that "something can be so bad that it can start to become interesting," noting that Quentin Tarantino is a fan of the picture.

• T.V. Spot (:32, SD) is included.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Screams of a Winter Night Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Screams of a Winter Night" provides four stories of frightening encounters, and a wraparound tale of a malevolent forest spirit. There's plenty of inspiration to go around, but Wilson doesn't seem to value the concept of screen tension, often going out of his way to play this picture as casually as possible.