Spike of Bensonhurst 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Spike of Bensonhurst 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 22, 2026

After exploring a threatening side of New York City in 1984’s “Mixed Blood,” co-writer/director Paul Morrissey returns to urban attitude in 1988’s “Spike of Bensonhurst.” The helmer aims to find a lighter side to criminal ways and family entanglements, going especially broad with the endeavor, trying to locate a more approachable route for a story about a young man finding his way through several neighborhoods and organized crime complications as he looks to define himself. “Spike of Bensonhurst” has an enormous amount of local color, and Morrissey commits to the hugeness of the picture, but his fondness for untested actors and loose dramatic definition ultimately hurts the feature, confusing the odd tone of the effort.

Spike (Sasha Mitchell) is a young man from Bensonhurst looking to become a big time boxer. His dad’s in prison, putting Spike’s care into the hands of mob boss Baldo (Ernest Borgnine), who’s trying to manage the restless fighter, leading him to more stable jobs in his system. Spike isn’t interested in settling down, and now he’s focused on Baldo’s daughter, Angel (Maria Pitillo), who’s eager to get pregnant and ruin her father’s expectations for her life. Following through on Angel’s seduction, Spike finds himself in trouble with Baldo, who exiles him from Bensonhurst. Instead of going quietly, Spike relocates to Red Hook, finding support from the Puerto Rican community as he starts disrupting the drug trade to get back at Baldo, also staying close to India (Talisa Soto) as he builds a new life while maintaining passion for a future in boxing.

“Spike of Bensonhurst” brings viewers into the restlessness of neighborhood life, with Spike introduced as an obedient young man trying to impress Baldo, who could turn the boxer into a champion, but doesn’t. Morrissey fills the picture with cultural touches and casual racism, as Puerto Ricans are viewed as the enemy in Bensonhurst, leaving Spike to be as close to a voice of reason as the film gets, embracing his competition. “Spike of Bensonhurst” visits the boxer’s household, which is loaded with argumentative people, including his dismissive mother. And there’s the street vibe, turning Spike into something of a prince, confidently pulling Angel away from her boyfriend to become his lover. Morrissey isn’t short on energy in the movie, working with NYC locations and attitude to generate a combustible atmosphere for the offering as a plot begins to form with Spike’s rebellion.

Broadness grows tiresome as “Spike of Bensonhurst” unfolds, and Morrissey is in command of an unwieldy edit, finding the picture jumping all over the place as it tries to turn the tale into an epic of sorts, following Spike as he singlehandedly cleans up Red Hook after his exile. He confronts drug dealers and keeps the peace, and he finds a new lover in India, which is positioned as a major part of the story, but the film barely pays attention to it. Baldo is also limited as a character, dealing with his own professional problems and family management, which isn’t fully developed in the feature. “Spike of Bensonhurst” has a lot of character activity, but focus isn’t high on Morrissey’s list of priorities, clearly having more fun keeping performances cartoonish as Spike fights for a future of his own.

Spike of Bensonhurst 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation for "Spike of Bensonhurst" is listed as "newly restored from its original 35mm camera negative." There's a fresh look at frame elements, keeping detail understood throughout the viewing experience. Skin particulars are defined, examining differences in age, and fine hair are present. Costuming is fibrous, handling heavier crime boss suits and lighter dresses. Neighborhood tours are open for inspection, delivering dimension as the characters roam around New York City locations, and crumbling building remains textured. Interiors secure depth and a good look at decorative additions. Color is lively, working with bright production primaries on paint and costuming. Lighter pinks and yellow are present, and hair color is distinct, including Angel's blondness. Skin tones are natural. Blacks are deep. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition.

Spike of Bensonhurst 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, balancing argumentative behavior and heavier accents. Scoring provides crisp dramatic support, and the Italian pop song soundtrack is defined. Neighborhood atmospherics are appreciable, along with sound effects.

Spike of Bensonhurst 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet supplies an essay by Margaret Barton-Fumo.

• Commentary features William Morris.

• Isolated Music Track is offered.

• Workprint Rough Cut (106:57, SD) is provided.

• "A Very Sophisticated Film" (16:46, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Steven Fierberg, who grew up in Detroit, learning more about Andy Warhol, eventually making the trip to New York City to join The Factory, meeting Paul Morrissey, where they began a series of collaborations. The interviewee celebrates Morrissey's casting decisions, including the hiring of Talisa Soto to help support the film's discussion of race. Issues with Sasha Mitchell and Ernest Borgnine are also inspected, with the latter refusing to speak to Morrissey due to last-minute script changes. Boxing elements are dissected, putting pressure on Fierberg to figure out how to shoot the sport. Locations are highlighted, revealing that very little Bensonhurst is present in "Spike of Bensonhurst."

• "A Personal Milestone" (17:38, HD) is a video conference interview with casting director Leonard Finger, who previously worked with Paul Morrissey on "Forty Deuce" and "Mixed Blood," tracking how the famously independent filmmaker found himself making a semi-"studio" movie in "Spike of Bensonhurst." Casting is analyzed, with Morrissey favoring good-looking people, but not always actors with experience, also identifying the colorful supporting cast of veterans and newcomers, including actual gangsters. The saga of Rodney Harvey and his self-destructive ways is detailed as well. Finger also examines his relationship with Morrissey throughout the 1980s.

• "Something to See" (5:42, HD) is an interview with executive producer Sam Grogg, who explores his relationship with eccentric producer David Weisman, who brought "Kiss of the Spider Woman" to screens before his work on "Spike of Bensonhurst," which was initially titled "Throwback." The interviewee also explores a creative argument with Morrissey over the ending of the film, putting Grogg in a position to talk the director out of making a poor tonal decision for the picture.

• "Paul Morrissey at Home, 1989" (24:28, SD) is an archival interview with the writer/director of "Spike of Bensonhurst."

• Image Gallery (5:49) collects film stills, publicity shots, BTS snaps, marketing art, and premiere pictures.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:28, HD) is included.

Spike of Bensonhurst 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Spike of Bensonhurst" leads to a Big Game finale, trying on some "Rocky" moves to help pump up suspense as Spike is put to the test in the ring. This pass at tension doesn't connect, but little drama carries weight in the picture. Morrissey's fondness for casting pretty people once again limits his storytelling abilities, but he does score with community additions, keeping things busy in the endeavor, including an interest in the development of the crack epidemic. In the end, "Spike of Bensonhurst" doesn't exactly know what it wants to be, often going silly when it hopes to be serious, losing its potential potency as an examination of character and maturation. The helmer ends up with a feature that's messy and unable to reach its emotional potential.