Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 11, 2023

MVD Visual's MVD Rewind Collection imprint often features somewhat whimsical packaging, in that covers are often intentionally "distressed" to look like old rental discs and/or VHS tapes that have been seen countless times before ending up in some kind of remainder bin. That "been around the track" appearance is probably germane for many of the MVD Rewind Collection releases, since unsurprisingly some at least have had previous outings on various home media formats. In this particular case, Vinegar Syndrome released Witchtrap several years ago on Blu-ray, and as of the writing of this review that version looks like it's still available, and in actually reasonably priced territory (not always the case for "limited edition" outings with a proscribed licensing window).

As mentioned above, Witchtrap was released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome a few years ago, and those interested in a plot summary are encouraged to read Brian Orndorf's Witchtrap Blu-ray review. As I'm evidently incapable of not saying, different reviewers means different opinions, and so score keepers may note that my ratings are a bit different than Brian's.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Witchtrap is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of the MVD Rewind Collection, an imprint of MVD Visual, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. MVD tends not to provide a ton of technical information on its releases, and the back cover of this release offers an incorrect statement that this is in 1.85:1 (which kind of interestingly the Vinegar Syndrome release was in), but which also states that its was scanned and restored in 2K in 2016 from the 35mm interpositive. Since the Vinegar Syndrome release came out in 2017 and the back cover of that release similarly states "newly scanned and restored in 2K from 35mm interpositive", I have to assume this was culled from the same master, but aside from the obvious if minor difference in aspect ratio, there are also some subtle differences in color timing which can be gleaned by doing side by side comparisons of screenshots between this review and Brian's (as always, I've tried to mimic at least a few of the frames that Brian captured for his review). Brian lauded the Vinegar Syndrome release's lack of damage, but this transfer does show occasional minor nicks and scratches, along with occasional blotches like the one seen toward the lower left side of the frame in screenshot 2. Detail levels are generally quite commendable, at least when lighting conditions allow. Grain resolves naturally throughout.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Witchtrap features an LPCM 2.0 Mono track that my hunch tells me is virtually interchangeable with the Vinegar Syndrome's DTS-HD Master Audio Mono option. As Brian mentions in his review, the film seems to have been pretty substantially tweaked in post with a lot of dubbing, and so sync as they say can be loose, but actual fidelity is generally fine, supporting the often patently silly dialogue, along with effects and Dennis Michael Tenney's synth drenched score. Optional English subtitles are available.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This release ports over several, but not all, of the supplements that were included on the Vinegar Syndrome release. Please consult Brian's Witchtrap Blu-ray review for a bit more information on the shared supplements. One potential calling card this release offers that the Vinegar Syndrome release didn't is the original VHS version of the film (in standard definition), which may be a nostalgia boon for some viewers.

• Interview with Director Kevin Tenney (HD; 23:36)


• Interview with Actress Linnea Quigley (HD; 13:40)


• Interview with Tom Jewett (HD; 15:09)


• Interview with Special Effects Supervisor Tassilo Baur (HD; 17:11)


• Witchtrap VHS Version (SD; 1:31:20)


• Photo Gallery (HD; 1:06)


• Trailers includes Witchtrap (SD; 2:30), along with trailers for other releases from MVD.


• Commentary with Kevin Tenney, Dan Duncan, Tom Jewett and Hal Havin can be accessed under the Setup Menu.

Additionally, a folded mini poster is included, and packaging features a reversible cover and slipcover.

Witchtrap Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Back in the halcyon days of emporia like Blockbuster, you kind of knew what you were in for when you rented straight to video fare like Witchtrap, and so for those with their expectations bar set appropriately, this low budget scare-a-thon has a few moments of genuine angst, but it also has the kind of lo-fi ambience that probably keeps it from resonating more spookily. Technical merits are generally solid, though it is frankly kind of strange that this release is just ever so slightly different from the Vinegar Syndrome offering. Supplements are very enjoyable and may add to the allure of this release for those who may be considering making a purchase.