7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.6 |
A Shakespearean actor takes poetic revenge on the critics who denied him the Best Actor of the Year award.
Starring: Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews, Coral BrowneHorror | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Douglas Hickox's "Theatre of Blood" (1973) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Video. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; audio commentary with Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, and Reece Shearsmith; video interview with composer Michael J. Lewis; video interview with actress Madeline Smith; video interview with historian David Del Valle; and more. The release also arrives with a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by film critic Cleaver Patterson and a reproduction of original press book material, illustrated with original archive stills. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
"Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile. Filths savour but themselves. Here, filths. Put money in thy purse."
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Douglas Hickox's Theatre of Blood arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Video.
The high-definition transfer has been struck from a dated source and it is quite inconsistent. Select close-ups convey good clarity, but image depth is rarely as pleasing as it should be. In fact, where light is restricted most close-ups actually look notably flat (see screencaptures #1 and 5). Contrast levels remain relatively stable. Light grain is visible, but it is mixed with noise. Additionally, traces of light edge-enhancement can be seen throughout the entire film (see screencapture #8). They never become overly distracting, but more sensitive viewers will easily spot their presence. Colors remain relatively stable, but color saturation isn't satisfying. Overall image stability is good. Lastly, there are numerous tiny specks and small scratches that pop up throughout the entire film. All in all, the high-definition transfer is not plagued by compromising digital corrections, but it is very easy to see that there is plenty of room for important improvements in every single area we typically address in our reviews. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. For the record, Arrow Video have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature.
Generally speaking, clarity and depth are pleasing. Some minor dynamic fluctuations exist, but they are part of the film's original sound design. Michael J. Lewis' wonderful soundtrack has an important role in the film, but occasionally different sound effects overlap the music themes. For example, listen to the flute and oboe solos early into the film where the horse dragging the dead body appears in the garden. There are no audio dropouts or distortions to report, but extremely light hiss occasionally sneaks in.
Douglas Hickox's Theatre of Blood was Vincent Price's favorite film. It isn't difficult to see why -- it has a tremendous cast and the blending of humor and horror is very effective. It is also complimented by one of the very best soundtracks that I have heard created for a film of this caliber. Arrow Video's technical presentation of Theatre of Blood is not up to the high standards set by the company with other releases of cult classics, but the supplemental features are once again very good. RECOMMENDED.
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