Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Shallow Grave Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 14, 2021

1987’s “Shallow Grave” follows marketplace demands by putting a collection of young women in the line of fire, tracking their mad dash for survival as a predatory man is suddenly inspired to end their lives. The premise is nothing new, remaining withing the parameters of slasher cinema, but writer George Fernandez and director Richard Styles aim to add a little sinister business to the material, giving it more of an edge while it manages the deaths of multiple characters. “Shallow Grave” has some issues with pacing, but when it digs into nasty business, it produces decent suspense sequences and a pleasingly dark finale, helping the project to stand out from the competition.

Feeling restless at a catholic college, students Patty (Carol Cadby), Sue Ellen (Lisa Stahl), Cindy (Just Kelly), and Rose (Donna Baltron) are ready to break free and make their way to Ft. Lauderdale for a week of partying. Packing into a car for the long drive, the gang makes their way down to Medley, Georgia, with a blown tire leaving them stranded in the backwoods town. While figuring out their next move, Sue Ellen happens to witness Sheriff Dean (Tony March) murdering his mistress in a forest, killing the woman after she threatens to take their affair to his wife. Running back to her friends, Sue Ellen is hurt, found by Patty, with the pair soon arrested by Deputy Scott (Tom Law) after they try to break into a gas station to call for help. Brought to jail, Sue Ellen and Patty are left to wait, wondering about Cindy and Rose, and they’re soon confronted by Sheriff Dean, who’s looking for a way to get rid of witnesses without calling attention to himself and his crime.

Styles isn’t shy about identifying his cinematic inspiration for “Shallow Grave,” opening the feature with a replication of the shower scene from “Psycho.” It’s a prank organized by the main characters, trying to exact revenge on a scheming classmate, using red dye and a rubber knife to cause panic, allowing the helmer to indulge his fandom before the story begins, also permitting the production to insert some gratuitous nudity into the endeavor to help with B-movie appeal.

The students soon hit the road, driving down to Florida with all the energy in the world, turning the trip into a party as they finally break free from nun authority, ready to indulge themselves with a week of craziness. “Shallow Grave” follows their progress, including a stop in South Carolina, visiting a BBQ joint where the foursome meet Chad (Vincent Tumeo) and Owen (Gregg Todd Davis), two Michigan students looking to meet up with the women the next day. Of course, such an event doesn’t take place, as the ladies are left stranded by a flat tire, forcing them to search for assistance. Instead of solving one problem, Sue Ellen triggers all the problems when she witnesses a murder from a distance, inspiring Dean to take care of any possible connection to his crime.

“Shallow Grave” starts off strong, setting up a defined threat in the cheating lawman, and true fear overwhelms the students, who separate, leaving Sue Ellen and Patty to be arrested by Deputy Scott, who doesn’t trust their witness accounts. Chases are arranged and tensions rise once Sheriff Dean returns to the station, confronting Sue Ellen, who doesn’t recognize him up close. Fernandez and Styles don’t escalate suspense as the story unfolds, taking a few breathers to deal with Sheriff Dean’s efforts to cover his tracks, and time is spent with the prisoners and Deputy Scott, who struggles to believe their story. The picture loses a lot of its agitation at the midway point, but “Shallow Grave” doesn’t fall apart, reviving a decent level of threat in the final act, where scenes of survival are more physical, introducing local hunters to help Sheriff Dean solves his mounting problems.

Shallow Grave Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of "35mm vault elements." Grain is heavier but film-like, and delineation remains satisfactory. Colors are nicely refreshed, dealing with sharp greenery and period costuming, offering bright pinks and blues. Signage is also vivid, and skintones are natural. Detail is a bit softer, but still brings out compelling facial particulars on the cast, and nature survival sequences and town tours remain dimensional. Source is in good condition, with some light scratches and speckling.

Shallow Grave Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers clear dialogue exchanges, working with louder acts of survival panic and quieter acts of intimidation. Scoring cues offer capable support with a distinct synth presence. Sound effects are satisfactory, and atmospherics are present, trying to sell the outdoor hunt aspect of the feature.

Shallow Grave Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director Richard Styles.

• Commentary #2 features The Hysteria Continues.

• "Looking for Magic" (14:42, HD) is an interview with director Richard Styles, who wasn't even supposed to helm "Shallow Grave," arriving for the Miami shoot as an executive producer. When the original director couldn't handle the job, Styles was pushed into position, only to realize how much he hated the screenplay. Changing the feature from an alien invasion picture to a thriller, Styles aimed for something along the lines of Alfred Hitchcock, pushing the writing in that direction. Casting is examined, though the interviewee is more interested in talking about an earlier production, "Ceasefire," which starred Don Johnson. Production challenges are recalled, and Styles goes into his focus on the set, trying to maintain control of storytelling while others deal with technical issues. Warehouse sets are analyzed, story points are recalled, and Styles shares his pride in the work, admitting he received some of his best reviews with "Shallow Grave."

• "A Visual Storyteller" (13:30, HD) is an interview with writer George Fernandez, who shares a different take on what "Shallow Grave" was originally supposed to be, with his version meant to comment on Jim Crow laws of the south, focusing on the plight of an interracial couple. Script changes were in order, along with the loss of a directorial gig, handing responsibilities over to Richard Styles when an unhappy marriage prevented him from committing his life to the project. Fernandez goes into his career path and love of writing, offering tips to viewers looking to maintain inspiration. Not a whole lot is shared about "Shallow Grave" beyond an early confrontation with SAG strikers who worked to prevent dialogue from being recorded. The interviewee closes with an assessment of low-budget production achievements, marveling over the "democratization" of filmmaking with tools such as an iPhone.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Shallow Grave Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Shallow Grave" offers some style for low-budget entertainment, as the helmer puts in a noticeable effort to complete shots. And he does well with actors, acquiring decent performances along the way, which help to boost viewer involvement. "Shallow Grave" is generally well executed, but it wins bonus points for its climatic events, which aim to disturb the audience instead of simply thrill them, offering something slightly different than formula usually provides for this type of movie. It's a touch of tonal bravery that helps the feature to exit on a distressing note, adding some punch to the endeavor, making it memorable.