A Bucket of Blood: Special Edition – Film Masters (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: USA, 1959 (A Bucket of Blood), USA/Ireland, 1963 (Dementia 13)
Directors: Roger Corman (A Bucket of Blood), Francis Ford Coppola (Dementia 13)
Cast: Dick Miller, Barboura Morris, Antony Carbone, Julian Burton, Ed Nelson, Bert Convy, John Brinkley, John Herman Shaner, Judy Bamber, Myrtle Vail, Jhean Burton (A Bucket of Blood), William Campbell, Luana Anders, Bart Patton, Mary Mitchel, Patrick Magee, Eithne Dunne, Peter Read, Bairbre Dowling, Karl Schnazer, Ron Perry, Derry O'Donovan (Dementia 13)

Release Date: October 27th, 2026
Approximate Running Times: 65 Minutes 22 Seconds (A Bucket of Blood), 74 Minutes 46 Seconds (Dementia 13)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (A Bucket of Blood, Dementia 13), 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (A Bucket of Blood)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English (Both Films)
Subtitles: English SDH (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $31.95

A Bucket of Blood: "A meek busboy Walter Paisley unexpectedly becomes the darling of a beatnik art community after a gruesome accident launches his artistic career. As his fame grows, Walter discovers that maintaining his newfound success requires increasingly horrifying acts." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Dementia 13: "Set amid a wealthy family plagued by buried secrets, psychological instability, and brutal axe murders, the gothic thriller showcases the emerging filmmaker's command of atmosphere while complementing the satirical horror of A Bucket of Blood." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (A Bucket of Blood), 3.5/5 (Dementia 13)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "new HD restoration."

A Bucket of Blood comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.3 GB

Feature: 16.3 GB (1.85:1 Aspect Ratio), 16.2 GB (1.33:1 Aspect Ratio)

While some very minor white specks remain, the result is on par with this film's best home media releases. Image clarity and contrast are solid, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression or digital noise reduction.

Dementia 13 comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.3 GB

Feature: 19.4 GB

While the source is in great shape, the result is a transfer that is a few notches below the Lionsgate Films 2021 Blu-ray release. Flesh tones look healthy, image clarity is generally strong, black levels fare well, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4.5/5 (A Bucket of Blood), 3.5/5 (Dementia 13)

A Bucket of Blood comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The track sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Dementia 13 comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The track sounds clear and balanced. Range-wise, the track sounds satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for Bucket of Blood include a reimagined theatrical trailer using restored footage for A Bucket of Blood (1 minute 41 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Trailers from Hell for A Bucket of Blood with filmmaker Allan Arkush (1 minute 53 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a music recording of Bucket of Blood performed by Bill Anson (2 minutes 19 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an unrestored 16mm print of Bucket of Blood countersy of Something Weird Video (65 minutes 22 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with film historian Tom Weaver.

Extras for Dementia 13 include a reimagined theatrical trailer for Dementia 13 (2 minutes 2 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Trailers from Hell for Dementia 13 with filmmaker Mick Garris (3 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a featurette titled Jack Hill on FilmGroup (10 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM stereo English with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with film critic Heath Holland.

Other extras include a 16-page booklet with an essay titled A Bucket of Blood written by Tom Weaver and an essay titled Dementia 13 written by Tom Weaver.

Summary:

A Bucket of Blood: A dim-witted busboy becomes a celebrity at a beatnik cafe when their clientele becomes enthralled in his all-too-lifelike sculptures.

A Bucket of Blood was directed by Roger Corman, a maverick filmmaker known for working miracles on very limited budgets. He’s most known for his collaborations with American International Pictures, notably a cycle of Edgar Allan Poe films. Other notable films he directed include Not of This Earth, Machine-Gun Kelly, The Little Shop of Horrors, and X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes.

Despite having directed 21 films prior to A Bucket of Blood, Roger Corman's work on this film represents a pivotal moment in his development as a filmmaker. Roger Corman, who shot the film in just five days for $50,000, maximizes his resources to create a film that appears ten times its budget. A Bucket of Blood also marks the first time that Roger Corman made a comedy/horror hybrid film.

What starts off as an amusing satire of beatnik culture slowly takes a turn into a much darker territory. While the initial setup introduces all the characters effectively, the story doesn't gain true momentum until the protagonist, Walter, reveals his first sculpture: a cat with a knife embedded in its side. From there, each new sculpture is more revolving as the narrative propels to a big reveal finale where Walter’s admirers discover the secret beneath the clay.

All around, the cast are excellent in their roles, as they all dive in with an enthusiasm that is infectious. Anchoring the cast is Dick Miller, a frequent collaborator of Roger Corman, in the role of the dim-witted busboy Walter. He perfectly captures his character's transformation from an introvert who keeps to himself into someone who thrives off of his newfound attention. Other notable cast members include Ed Nelson (The Brain Eaters) and Bert Convy (Semi-Tough).

At 65 minutes in length, the narrative archives a lot for its running time, and it never overstays its welcome. While A Bucket of Blood addresses dark themes, the horror primarily arises from shocking moments rather than traditional scares. When it comes to humor, A Bucket of Blood never misses its mark. Ultimately, A Bucket of Blood is a highly entertaining dark comedy that far exceeds the sum of its parts.

Dementia 13: The greedy heirs of a cursed wealthy family are being knocked off by an axe-wielding maniac who wants to keep the family's darkest secret.

Long before Francis Ford Coppola found acclaim with The Godfather, he directed a handful of low-budget films, the most notable being Dementia 13. Set in Ireland, Dementia 13 is a supernatural horror film that is infused with gothic horror style. The opening setup does an excellent job laying the foundation, while the narrative is very effective at creating tense moments that build upon each other. Another strength of the narrative is how it uses flashbacks to further flesh out the story that’s unfolding.

The most memorable performance is William Campbell’s portrayal of the eldest brother Richard. His character's off-putting demeanor gives him a more sinister appearance than he really is. Another performance of note is Patrick Magee (A Clockwork Orange) in the role of a psychologist. Other cast members of note are Mary Mitchell (Panic in Year Zero!) and Luana Anders (The Killing Kind).

Although Francis Ford Coppola had directed a few films before Dementia 13, his direction shows a notable improvement. Dementia 13 features several visually striking moments, and one area where the visuals stand out is in their ability to create a foreboding atmosphere. Ronald Stein (The Rain People) delivers a solid score that’s anchored by an ominous main theme. Ultimately, while Dementia 13 may never be considered a top 10 film, it is an unfairly maligned work by Francis Ford Coppola that fans of gothic horror should definitely explore.

Films Masters has put together another solid double feature release. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Big Combo: Special Edition – Ignite Films (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Dates: USA, 1955 (The Big Combo), USA, 1949 (The Crooked Way)
Director: Joseph H. Lewis (The Big Combo), Robert Florey (The Crooked Way)
Cast: Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Brian Donlevy, Jean Wallace, Robert Middleton, Lee Van Cleef, Earl Holliman, Helen Walker, Jay Adler, John Hoyt, Ted de Corsia, Helene Stanton (The Big Combo), John Payne, Sonny Tufts, Ellen Drew, Rhys Williams, Percy Helton, John Doucette, Charles Evans, Greta Granstedt (The Crooked Way)

Release Date: December 15th, 2026
Approximate Running Times: 88 Minutes 25 Seconds (The Big Combo), 90 Minutes 32 Seconds (The Crooked Way)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 (The Big Combo), 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 2.0 Mono English, DTS-HD 1.0 Mono English, DTS-HD Mono German, DTS-HD Mono Spanish (The Big Combo), DTS-HD Mono English (The Crooked Way)
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazil), Swedish (The Big Combo)
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD, Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $34.95

"Cornel Wilde plays police lieutenant Leonard Diamond, whose relentless campaign against powerful crime boss Mr. Brown (Richard Conte) has become as personal as it is professional. Diamond's obsession is intensified by his feelings for Brown's troubled mistress Susan Lowell (Jean Wallace), whose desperation to escape the gangster's control may provide the opening he needs to finally bring Brown down.

The Big Combo builds its underworld story around shifting loyalties, buried secrets and an increasingly destructive contest between two determined men. Brian Donlevy plays former syndicate boss Joe McClure, while Robert Middleton appears as Brown's associate Dreyer and Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman portray the inseparable hitmen Fante and Mingo. Helen Walker also figures prominently in Diamond's investigation." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (The Big Combo), 3.75/5 (The Crooked Way)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "This digital restoration of The Big Combo was undertaken by Ignite Films, working from a 35mm Fine Grain Answer Print and a 35mm Optical Sound Negative. The picture was restored in 4K by The Grainery, while the audio was sourced from an UCLA restoration funded by The Film Foundation. The color grading was carried out by Gosia Grzyb under the supervision and approval of Scott MacQueen."

The Big Combo comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 60.7 GB

Feature: 54.2 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance.

The Crooked Way comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 35.7 GB

Feature: 26.5 GB

Although the source of The Crooked Way is not as pristine as that of The Big Combo, it still looks great, aside from some minor blemishes. Flesh tones appear accurate, and both image clarity and black levels are strong. There are no compression issues, and the image maintains an organic quality.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD 2.0 Mono English - The Big Combo, DTS-HD 1.0 Mono English - The Big Combo), 3.75/5 (DTS-HD Mono - The Crooked Way)

The Big Combo comes with four audio options, a DTS-HD 2.0 mono mix in English, a DTS-HD 1.0 mono mix in English, a DTS-HD mono mix in German, and a DTS-HD mono mix in Spanish. For this release I only listened to the English tracks. Both tracks are in excellent shape; dialogue comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented. The removable subtitle options include English, English SDH, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazil), and Swedish.

The Crooked Way comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English. There are no subtitles. The track sounds clear and balanced, and range-wise it is satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a theatrical trailer for The Big Combo (2 minutes 8 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a video essay by Scout Tafoya titled How a Guy Makes a Living—How a Little Combo Made The Big Combo (18 minutes 29 seconds, DTS-HD stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with author and critic Philippe Garnier, who discusses The Big Combo (16 minutes 16 seconds, DTS-HD stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Eddie Muller, the “Czar of Noir” and founder of the Film Noir Foundation, and an audio commentary with film historian and noir expert Imogen Sara Smith.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include an archival interview with film critic and curator Geoff Andrew, who discusses The Bog Combo (19 minutes 20 seconds, DTS-HD stereo English, no subtitles), an archival appreciation titled Wagon Wheel Joe by David Cairns, who discusses director Joseph H. Lewis (19 minutes, DTS-HD stereo English, no subtitles), and a bonus feature film, The Crooked Way (90 minutes 32 seconds, 1.37:1 aspect ratio, DTS-HD mono English, no subtitles). 

Other extras include reversible cover art.

Summary:

The Big Combo: Joseph H. Lewis directed The Big Combo. He’s known for Invisible Ghost, The Mad Doctor on Market Street, My Name Is Julia Ross, So Dark the Night, Gun Crazy, Cry of the Hunted and Terror in a Texas Town.

When a determined police lieutenant is ordered to cease his investigation into the notorious crime boss, Mr. Brown, he decides to take matters into his hands. Each time he gets close to capturing his target, Mr. Brown always seems to be one step ahead, successfully thwarting the lieutenant's efforts. In his one last attempt to bring Mr. Brown to justice, the lieutenant finds an ally in Mr. Brown’s girlfriend who despises him.

Made at what is considered the end of film noir’s original cycle, The Big Combo is one of the few latter cycle film noirs that holds up extremely well. In its opening moments, the narrative grabs with a scene where a woman is frantically running away from two men. From there, the narrative does an excellent job creating tense moments that build upon each other, culminating in an intense finale. When it comes to pacing and creating momentum, The Big Combo delivers in spades.

The Big Combo is a film that strictly deals with good and bad; there are no grey areas—it is always clear where any character stands morally. Obsession is a recurring theme in numerous Film noir, and in The Big Combo, the narrative revolves around the police lieutenant’s fixation on bringing Mr. Brown to justice. Another prevalent theme explored is the way the criminal justice system often safeguards those criminals who know how to manipulate it to their advantage.

All around, the cast are excellent in their roles, especially Richard Conte's (Thieves' Highway) menacing portrayal of Mr. Brown. Another performance of note is Jean Wallace’s (Jigsaw) portrayal of Mr. Brown’s girlfriend. The rest of the cast is filled with recognizable faces, with Cornel Wilde (Leave Her to Heaven) in the role of police lieutenant Leonard Diamond, Brian Donlevy (Impact), and Lee Van Cleef (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) portraying henchmen killers.

The Big Combo is a film where everything perfectly comes together. Besides a well-crafted narrative and excellent performances, the visuals are another area where the film excels. The Big Combo’s striking use of light and shadow greatly enhances the mood. Another area where the visuals excel is how well they work with the sound design. There is a torture scene with a hearing aid and a killing of a deaf gangster where the combination of sight and sound is outstanding. Ultimately, The Big Combo is an exemplary crime film that stands out as one of the high-water marks of film noir, making it a must-see for fans of the genre. 

The Crooked Way: Robert Florey directed The Crooked Way. He’s known for Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932), The Face Behind the Mask, and The Beast with Five Fingers.

A war hero with amnesia returns to a place that holds the key to unlocking his memories. Immediately upon his arrival, he’s met with hostility from the locals who offer him little to go on. From there, he slowly uncovers the truth and is forced to confront his criminal past.

The premise includes all the elements typically associated with a protagonist facing an extraordinary situation where their past resurfaces. Instead of trying to clear his name, the protagonist runs toward danger when an event puts him in the crosshairs of the police. That said, until the protagonist fully confronts his past, he has no future.

While the opening setup effectively establishes the groundwork for the unfolding events, the narrative truly gains momentum in the latter half. From there, the narrative is a tense ride that does an excellent job building momentum to a confrontational finale that ends in a hellfire of bullets. The narrative also excels in how it reveals information about the protagonist's past.

When it comes to the performances, they suit the story that unfolds well. John Payne (Kansas City Confidential) is cast in the role of the protagonist, Eddie Rice, also known as Eddie Riccardi. He delivers a convincing portrayal of a man with no memory of his past. Another performance of note is Ellen Drew’s (Isle of the Dead) portrayal of Nina Martin, Eddie’s ex-girlfriend. Although the bad guy characters are your typical stereotypes, the actors who portray them all deliver highly entertaining performances.

Robert Florey’s direction finds a satisfying balance between arresting visual set pieces and letting the performance be the focal point. The most memorable moment is saved for the shootout final, where Eddie faces off against his former partner who’s now a crime boss. Ultimately, The Crooked Way is a well-crafted crime drama that’s infused with Film noir style.

The Big Combo gets an exceptional release from Ignite Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation, a bonus film, and informative extras. Highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

 

                                            The Crooked Way Blu-ray Screenshots.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Planet of the Vampires: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/Spain, 1965
Director: Mario Bava
Writers: Mario Bava, Alberto Bevilacqua, Callisto Cosulich, Antonio Román, Rafael J. Salvia
Writers English Language Version: Louis M. Heyward, Ib Melchior
Cast: Barry Sullivan, Norma Bengell, Ángel Aranda, Evi Marandi, Stelio Candelli

Release Date: October 19th, 2026 (UK), November 10th, 2026 (USA)
Approximate Running Times: 89 Minutes 30 Seconds (Italian Version), 87 Minutes 32 Seconds (English Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10 Dolby Vision (Both Versions)
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian (Italian Version), LPCM Mono English (English Version)
Subtitles: English (Italian Version), English SDH (English Version)
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region Free (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $49.95 (USA)

"In the outer reaches of deep space, the spaceship Galliott answers a distress signal from Aura, an unexplored planet. As the ship attempts to land, members of the crew inexplicably begin to attack one another. This is the start of a terrifying expedition into the unknown, one plagued by paranoia, possession and violent mayhem wrought upon the unsuspecting explorers by the planet’s mysterious inhabitants." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD, Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “Planet of the Vampires was scanned in 4K resolution at Fotocinema in Rome in collaboration with CSC Cineteca Nazionale, Titanus, and RAICOM. A 4K digital file was supplied to Radiance Films for this UHD release.”

Planet of the Vampires comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 60.2 GB

Feature: 58.3 GB

This release uses seamless branching for the two versions. While Radiance Films' 2024 Blu-ray release looked excellent, this new release somehow improves upon it. Areas of notable improvement are colors and shadow details. That said, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Planet of the Vampires comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 39.1 GB

Feature: 25.5 GB

This release uses seamless branching for the two versions. This Blu-ray's disc size and feature size are exactly the same specs as Radiance Films' 2024 release.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Italian), 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono English - Gino Marinuzzi Jr.’s Original Score), 4/5 (LPCM Mono English - Kendall Schmidt's Alternate Score)

The Italian version comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in Italian with removable English subtitles. This audio track sounds excellent; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

The English version comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. For this version, there is an option to watch with Gino Marinuzzi Jr.’s original score or a Kendall Schmidt alternate score created for the English language version. Both of these audio options sound clear, balanced, and robust when they should. That said, there is a faint background hiss on the audio track with Kendall Schmidt’s alternate score.

Extras:

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include an image gallery (48 images - stills/home video art/posters/other promotional materials), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), Trailers from Hell with filmmaker Josh Olsen (2 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Trailers from Hell with filmmaker Joe Dante (3 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a reconstruction of the German cut-down Super 8 version; Italian version (17 minutes 10 seconds, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono Italian with removable English subtitles) and English version (17 minutes 10 seconds, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Lamberto Bava (13 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a critical appraisal of Mario Bava and Planet of the Vampires titled Transmissions from a Haunted World (41 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an archival audio commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark. 

Other extras include reversible cover art, a collection of six exclusive postcards featuring promotional material, a removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings, a 20-page booklet featuring a new translation of Renato Pestriniero’s original short story, an 80-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Gazing Into the Abyss of Deep Space and the Realms of Horror written by Jerome Reuter, an essay titled A World of Endless Night: The Artistry of Planet of the Vampires written by Martyn Conterio, an essay titled The Birth of Alien: Visiting Planet of the Vampires written by Barry Forshaw, an essay titled Planet of the Vampires: Utopian Possibilities written by George Daniel Lea, an essay titled Terror from Space: Lovecraft and Cosmic Horror in Planet of the Vampires written by Kyle Anderson, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

When it comes to Italian cinema, science fiction is the one genre that far too often misses the mark, or when it does work, as in the case of films like Contamination, Beast in Space, or Alien 2: On Earth, it is for all the wrong reasons. This brings us to Mario Bava’s Planet of the Vampires, one of the few times that he would ever venture into the science fiction genre. With his only other foray into this genre being the film The Day the Sky Exploded, he was the cinematographer on that film. First and foremost, what distinguishes Planet of the Vampires from the majority of Italian science-fiction films is Mario Bava's incorporation of film elements typically associated with the horror genre.

The narrative is well constructed, allowing each new revelation an ample amount of time to fully resonate before moving to the moment of terror. And though the characters are not much more than mere props in the grander scheme of things, this ultimately proves not to be a problem since this film's greatest strength is its atmospheric visuals. Some of the most striking moments are the scenes where the first corpses rise from their tombs and the one where the Captain and crew members are trapped on what appears to be an alien spaceship.

As mentioned before, the performances are one of Planet of the Vampires' strongest assets, and they are best described as adequate. Notable cast members include Stelio Candelli (Nude for Satan), Norma Bengell (Hellbenders), Ivan Rassimov (The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh, Spirits of Death) and Barry Sullivan (Violent Naples) in the role of Captain Mark Markary. Overall, Planet of the Vampires is one of those rare examples where a film exceeds the sum of its parts, and there is no denying this film’s influence on the science fiction genre. Its influence can be traced to films like Alien.

Planet of the Vampires makes its way to 4K UHD via an exceptional release from Radiance Films. Highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer