Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Trip with the Teacher Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 26, 2017

1975’s “Trip with the Teacher” is an exploitation movie, filled with sleazy material, but it’s actually is more of a horror film when one processes the dire tone and threatening behavior found in the picture. Directed by Earl Barton (his lone helming credit), “Trip with the Teacher” isn’t harmless entertainment, made with a certain edge that’s unusual for material that’s not striving to be the most intelligent offering at the local drive-in. Barton isn’t a craftsman, but there’s menace to the work, which helps to pull the feature out of a few dead spots and endure the habitual overacting of co- star Zalman King.

What begins as a field trip to study desert culture turns into a nightmare for Miss Tenny (Brenda Fogarty), who runs into major trouble when her bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere, exposing her to the interests of Pete (Robert Porter) and Al (Zalman King), two unhinged bikers ready to devour Tenny’s teenage students. As with most movies of this ilk, intimidation escalates and the BFF of 1970s cinema, rape, is encountered, but Barton doesn’t seem obsessed with punishment, using “Trip with the Teacher” to arrange verbal hostilities and chase sequences, more interested in cheap thrills than lewd behavior, though there’s plenty of that.

Trip with the Teacher Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation attempts to take something that was never meant to be pretty and make it shine on Blu- ray. Kudos to Vinegar Syndrome for spiffing up "Trip with the Teacher" for HD, offering fans a viewing experience that's "Newly scanned and restored in 2K from the 16mm original camera negative." Wear and tear is obvious throughout, from periodic chemical spotting, a faint green stripe on the right side of the frame during the movie's opening, and various streches of speckling and scratches. Still, the feature looks as appealing as possible, battling cinematography and aging issues to deliver a reasonable level of detail, which opens up backgrounds and awakens performances. Colors are acceptable, preserving period style and desert hues. Skintones are accurate. Delineation is secure. Grain is heavy and filmic.

Trip with the Teacher Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Granted, "Trip with the Teacher" wasn't made with powerful sonic intentions, barely hanging on with low-budget equipment and difficult locations. The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix does what it can with severe limitations, but it's a slightly muddy listening event, working with obvious age issues. Dialogue exchanges are mostly available, though some passages are little difficult to hear. Scoring doesn't wow either, but musical moods are loud enough to support the action. There are a lot of inherent issues in play, and real definition isn't available, but the BD does what is can to secure the intensity of the effort.

Trip with the Teacher Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Earl Barton, and actresses Cathy Worthington and Dina Ousley.

• "Taking the Trip" (14:29, HD) is a conversation with star Brenda Fogarty, the teacher from the title, and she's surprisingly positive about her experience on the production. Fogarty doesn't have much in the way of anecdotes concerning the film shoot, but she traces her professional history, where an early career as a Las Vegas showgirl took her all over the world. While she's not satisfied with her acting career, blaming a lousy agent, Fogarty seems pleased with the cult appreciation of "Trip with the Teacher," and she discusses the pitfalls of aging, working to keep her mind off the little things in life.

• Still Gallery (2:24) collects publicity snaps and lobby cards.

• T.V. Spot (:30, SD) is offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:42, SD) is included.

Trip with the Teacher Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

King goes nuts in the role of a deranged biker, taking the acting challenge as an opportunity to showcase Joker-style lunacy and wear bitchin' biker eye protection. He's way over the top, but "Trip with the Teacher" needs him to inspire suspense, bringing a slasher-style vibe to the production as bodies pile up. King's not easy to watch for multiple reasons, but, if manipulation is Barton's ultimate goal, he achieves it, as anyone watching the feature is likely going to root for the complete destruction of the bikers in slowest, most painful manner imaginable. Keep those small expectations in mind, and the general lack of technical finesse and timing in "Trip with the Teacher" won't feel as painful.