Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Terror Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 9, 2023

Film Masters is revisiting two legendary Roger Corman productions that have had less than stellar previous Blu-ray releases, offering some perhaps surprisingly nice looking video and good supplementary material as well.

HD Cinema Classics released The Terror many years ago in a pretty lackluster edition, video quality wise, and those wanting a plot recap and my reaction to the film can read my The Terror Blu-ray review. Another probably little remembered label, Legend, brought out a similarly uninspiring looking version (actually, versions since the disc offered black and white or color outings) of Little Shop of Horrors, and those inclined are encouraged to read my The Little Shop of Horrors Blu-ray review of that version.

The Terror Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Terror is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Film Masters with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Film Masters typically doesn't provide a bunch of technical information with their releases, and unless I missed it, they provided nothing on the back cover of this release in that regard, but while things like source element, scan resolution and restoration processes may not be described, the results are quite worthwhile, and certainly a huge step up from the old HD Cinema Classics version. Kind of interestingly, at least considering the marked improvement in clarity and especially grain resolution in this version, the palette here is really not that much different from the older version. But this version has a much more enjoyable organic appearance and generally very good to excellent detail levels. There are a few transitory issues affecting densities and suffusion (one notable example is the first scene in the witch's house when Nicholson comes to).

This release also includes a bonus disc offering Little Shop of Horrors, and I've included a couple of screenshots in this review so that those interested can get an idea of what that one looks like. It again is a huge improvement over the old Legend release, with another AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. The black and white photography is rendered very well, and there's a healthy grain layer accompanying the proceedings. Damage is virtually negligible, though there are minor passing issues with things like noticeable wobble during the credits.

My "weighted" score for both films is 4.25.

The Terror Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Both The Terror and Little Shop of Horrors sport DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono tracks. The Terror benefits from Ronald Stein's score (which may have had a little help from Les Baxter), and that, along with the crashing waves and other ambient environmental effects, sounds decently full bodied, if still a bit boxy at times. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Somewhat hilariously Ronald Stein may have aided Fred Katz's score for Little Shop of Horrors, and that film's audio presentation supports what is perhaps a surprisingly talky affair, given the gonzo goings on. Both film offer secure support for all spoken material, and also offer optional English subtitles.

The Terror Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc One The Terror

• Commentary by C. Courtney Joyner and Dr. Steve Haberman


• Ghosts in the Machine: Art & Artifice in Roger Corman's Celluloid Castle (HD; 44:12) is a fun in depth visual essay by Howard S. Berger and Kevin Marr.


• 2023 Re-cut Trailer for The Terror (HD; 2:10)

Disc Two Little Shop of Horrors

• Commentary by Justin Humphreys and Little Shop star Jonathan Haze


• Hollywood Intruders: The Filmgroup Story: Part Two (HD; 17:14) continues Film Masters' dive into this particular sidebar of the Corman Brothers' careers.


• 2023 Re-cut Trailer for The Little Shop of Horrors (HD; 1:28)

Additionally, Film Masters provides a very nicely appointed insert booklet with an interesting essay on Karloff and Poe by C. Courtney Joyner.

The Terror Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Fans of these particular films haven't been particularly well served in the high definition era, and while there's probably still room for improvement, these new versions from Film Masters are marked improvements over the releases that I personally reviewed years ago. The supplemental material is also very enjoyable. Recommended.