Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Slaughterhouse Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 14, 2017

Hoping to launch his own horror icon in Buddy, the beefy, snorting, cleaver-wielding, pig-loving madman, writer/director Rick Roessler submits 1987’s “Slaughterhouse,” his take on “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” only with more consumption of Diet Pepsi. The slasher picture lives up to its blunt title, trying to creep out the room with happenings at southern slaughterhouses, pitting a group of fun-loving kids against dear old Buddy, who isn’t about to be stopped by puny youth only interested in sex, dares, and amateur filmmaking. What separates “Slaughterhouse” from the pack is production polish, with Roessler backed by a talented crew who give the horror antics touches of artistry, making what becomes a routine display of killing somewhat memorable. And there’s Buddy, who’s a prototypical backwoods creep with atypical strength, with Roessler finding plenty of awful business for the monster to participate in.

Lester Bacon (Don Barrett) once ran a productive slaughterhouse in the small Texas town, but the times and taxes conspired to shut him down, leaving him with nothing but a rotting property, a small selection of pigs, and the love of his maniac son, Buddy (Joe Barton). When local lawyers and a meat processing rival conspire to take advantage of Lester’s financial situation, it rattles the old man to his core, refusing to cooperate with plans to acquire his land. As the community prepares for its annual radio-sponsored summer party, a group of young people decides to make their own fun on Lester’s derelict property, with Liz (Sherry Bendorf Leigh), Buzz (Jeff Grossi), Annie (Jane Higginson), and Skip (Erich Schwarz) setting out to create their own horror movie. While the kids are oblivious to danger, local law enforcement officials are becoming aware of missing people, trying to avoid panic before the big shindig. However, Buddy can’t be stopped, following Lester’s orders to take lives and defend the slaughterhouse.

“Slaughterhouse” is filled with ghastly events, but it commences with a very real study of meat processing, with the main titles showcasing the journey of pigs as they go from farm to table. It’s unsettling and smartly played by Roessler, launching the picture with enough real-world horror to help beef up the fictional massacre. Despite such a severe introduction, the production keeps the opening two acts relatively lighthearted, observing the younger characters interact with typical mischief, while one of the cops is carrying on in secret affair with a local girl, afraid to expose their relationship as they drive around for places to make out. Lester is also extreme enough of a personality to veer into camp, offering such rage to the powers that be, it’s amazing he makes it through the story without suffering a heart attack. It’s not a comedy, but Roessler maintains some brightness to “Slaughterhouse” before things go dark, peppering routines and high jinks with Buddy attack sequences, which add some punch and squirts of blood to the endeavor, and the father/son combo make use of old killing floor tools to dispatch a few victims, giving editing an amusing workout as darkly comedic transitions are pulled off.

Roessler maintains a steady “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” homage throughout “Slaughterhouse,” with the Bacon property a museum of rotting pig carcasses and bones. Buddy is a Leatherface-type with power instead of brains, using a gigantic cleaver to finish off his victims. The production certainly doesn’t try to hide its fandom, which helps the overall mood of the feature, but eventually Roessler finds his own way with characters, and he brings out a few satisfactory performances to help accentuate suspense. “Slaughterhouse” colors inside the lines, but it does so with skill, including emphasis on Lester’s monetary frustrations. Party time with the kids isn’t unappealing either, keeping focus on camaraderie and foolish behavior, setting up kill scenes that occur with unexpected speed. Roessler doesn’t draw out the inevitable, he finds his beats of brutality and moves on quick.

Slaughterhouse Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a level of clarity that perhaps some viewers may not even want. It's a crisp view of cinematographic achievements, with cameras visiting an actual slaughterhouse in the opening the picture, while various gore zone achievements are displayed with appropriate texture. Facial particulars are defined to satisfaction, and locations sustain depth and decoration. Colors are secure throughout, leading with deep red bloodshed and costuming, and farmland greenery is intact. Skintones, animal and human, are natural. Delineation is communicative, handling well during the effort's extended night sequences. Grain is filmic. Source is in solid shape, lacking any overt points of damage.

Slaughterhouse Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA "Ultra-Stereo" track is impressively loud and crisp, delivering all the human oddities and animal squealing a listener could want. Dialogue exchanges are easy to follow, including grunts, and group activity is defined to satisfaction. Soundtrack cuts retain power, with fresh instrumentation and generous percussive thump. Scoring is equally supportive and deep. Sound effects are clean, handling violence with appropriate volume.

Slaughterhouse Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Rick Roessler, producer Jerry Encoe, and production designer Michael Scaglione.

• Interview (10:40, HD) with Sherry Bendorf Leigh explores the actress's experience on "Slaughterhouse," beginning with a description of her thespian method, calling up powerful emotions during heated scenes. Leigh is a charismatic interviewee, gladly detailing the audition process, her feelings about co-stars, and the tough shoot, which kept her cold and wet for long hours. Leigh also shares her memories of specific scenes.

• "Making a Low Budget Indie" (28:16, HD) is an extended conversation with Rosessler, who walks through the production process, delivering a mini-commentary from the comfort of his backyard. The writer/direction explores his drive to make a horror movie with real plot, production origins, casting, location shooting, crew triumphs, and post-production achievements. Thankfully, there's BTS footage and photos to help set the scene, but Roessler has a real passion for his movie, animatedly discussing his goals.

• "Producing 'Slaughterhouse'" (5:37, SD) returns the spotlight to Encoe, who shares his perspective on the movie business. After sharing his origin tale with Roessler, with the pair meeting while making Naval training films, Encoe shares candid thoughts on "Slaughterhouse" and its financial troubles (requiring a production shutdown) and dispiriting distribution deals.

• Archival Interviews from 1999 with Roessler (15:16, SD) and Encoe (10:45, SD) are presented.

• "Epilogue: 30 Years After the Slaughter" (1:13, HD) isn't explained, but it appears to be some type of teaser for a possible "Slaughterhouse II."

• Radio Interview Featurette (4:50, SD) is a 1987 promotional visit with Roessler and Barton, who remains in character.

• "Slaughterhouse" Premiere (3:59, SD) collects news coverage from the feature's single cast and crew screening at a San Diego theater, confusing parents who showed up with kids to see an afternoon showing of "Snow White."

• "Shooting the Scenes" (20:48, SD) presents videotaped rehearsal footage from principal photography.

• Outtakes (3:08, SD) contain a few deleted scenes.

• "No Smoking" Theatrical Snipe (:28, SD) features Barton and Barrett in-character warning moviegoers not to light up during the film.

• Shooting Script is included.

• Radio Spots (:45) are offered.

• T.V. Spots #1 (:49), #2 (:55), #3 (:53), and #4 (:54) are collected, all in SD.

• And Theatrical Trailers #1 (2:04, HD) and #2 (1:12, HD) are included.

Slaughterhouse Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Slaughterhouse" is all fun and games until the grand finale, where Roessler suddenly decides to take Lester and Buddy's wrath with the utmost seriousness. The body count increases considerably, as does the severity of the effort, completing the Final Girl arc with some disturbing turns of plot and plenty of suffering. There's some whiplash encountered in the last act, but nothing derails the feature. "Slaughterhouse" has personality and a love of the game, and it's a vivid film once it steps away from complete formula. Sure, the ingredients are familiar, but Roessler pulls off a picture with style and pace, and his idea for a movie maniac is actually quite creepy.