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Hardware Wars: Collector's Edition – MVD Rewind Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1978
Director: Ernie Fosselius
Writer: Ernie Fosselius
Cast: Frank Robertson, Artie Deco, Scott Mathews, Jeff Hale, Cinthia Freeling, Bob Knickerbocker, Ernie Fosselius, Paul Frees, Sonny Buddy Jr., Walt Kraemer

Release Date: May 7th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 13 Minutes 24 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Stereo English, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $19.95

"Fluke Starbucker (Scott Mathews) must learn to master the power of "The Farce" with help from Artie Deco, 4-Q-2 (Frank Robertson), Princess Anne-Droid (Cindy Furgatch), Ham Salad (Bob Knickerbocker), and the rest of the Red Eye Knights." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 2K HD transfer from the only known surviving element, a 16mm Reversal Release print."

Here is additional information about the transfer, "Hardware Wars was scanned in 2K resolution from the only known surviving element, a 16mm reversal release print.

Due to poor handling of the camera original during the editing process, a large amount of dirt and damage is inherent to the production, especially during the film's frequent optical effect and dupe sequences. As this damage has been present since the film was initially released in 1978, it has been retained here, as removing or even reducing it would not accurately represent how audiences first experienced the film."

Hardware Wars comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 14.4 GB

Feature: 4 GB

Considering the limitations of the source, this transfer looks very good. There is a disclaimer that plays before the film, giving you a clear idea of what to expect. That said, the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4/5 (LPCM Stereo English), 3.5/5 (LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, an LPCM mono mix in English and an LPCM stereo mix in English. The mono track is not as strong as the stereo track, which sounds more robust. Also, the mono track has some minor instances of source damage. Included are removable English SDH.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a trailer for Hardware Wars (1 minute 28 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), awards reel (1 minute 9 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Hardware Wars prequel featurette (5 minutes 23 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Hardware Wars Saves Christmas featurette (6 minutes 10 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), 1978 Creature Features interview with screenwriter/director Ernie Fosselius (6 minutes 4 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Hardware Wars foreign version (11 minutes 15 seconds, in standard definition, LPCM mono ?, no subtitles), Hardware Wars director's cut (10 minutes 16 seconds, in standard definition, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Hardware Wars 2012 HD master (12 minutes 54 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Ernie Fosselius, reversible cover art, a collectible mini-poster, and a slipcover (first pressing only).

Other extras are two short films directed by Ernie Fosselius; Porklips Now a parody of Apocalypse Now (21 minutes 38 seconds, in standard definition, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), and Plan 9.1 From Outer Space a parody remake of Plan 9 From Outer Space (20 minutes 47 seconds, in standard definition, LPCM mono English, no subtitles).

Rounding out the extras are trailers for Ghoulies, Ghoulies 2, Swamp Thing, and The Men From Earth.

Summary:

Released a year after Star Wars, Hardware Wars is a short film spoof of Star Wars. At 13 minutes in length, Hardware Wars is a condensed version of most of the key events from Star Wars. All of the characters names are funny twists on Star Wars characters: 4-Q-2 (R2-D2), Artie Deco (C3PO), Fluke Starbucker (Luke Skywalker), Augie 'Ben' Doggie (Ben ‘Obi-Wan’ Kenobi), Princess Anne-Droid (Princess Leia Organa), Ham Salad (Han Solo), and a cookie monster-like muppet (Chewbacca). Hardware Wars humor extends beyond its characters' names; the spaceships are all household appliances.

The first time I saw Hardware Wars was forty years ago. I went into it as a hardcore Star Wars fan who, even at the age of eight, fully appreciated all of its humor. For many years, I had difficulty finding Hardware Wars at my local video store or library. I started to think that it was a fever dream that I had imagined. Now that I am able to revisit Hardware Wars after all of these years, it still connects with me the same way it did when I was eight years old. Ultimately, Hardware Wars is a perfectly executed satire.

Hardware Wars gets a solid release from MVD Collection that comes with multiple versions of the film and a wealth of extras, highly recommended.