Tunnel Vision – MVD Rewind Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1976
Directors: Neal Israel, Bradley R. Swirnoff
Writers: Michael Mislove, Neal Israel
Cast: Phil Proctor, Howard Hesseman, Ron Silver, Ernie Anderson, James Bacon, Kurt Andon, Lynne Marie Stewart, Gerrit Graham, Rick Hurst, Betty Thomas, Joe Flaherty, Mary McCusker, Pat Proft, Rowby Goren, Roger Bowen, John Candy, Al Franken, Nellie Bellflower, Tom Davis, Laraine Newman, Chevy Chase

Release Date: May 13th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 68 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC, 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"It's the year "1985" and the proprietors of new television channel called "TunnelVision", which is notably free of censorship) are under a government investigation led by a Senator who wishes to shut down the network due to its widespread negative effects on the population. During the hearing, the committee examines a typical day or programming which includes shows, programs, commercials, news, and much more, and what they discover will surely crack you up in this outrageous and irreverent spoof of 1970's movies and television in the tradition of Kentucky Fried Movie and Amazon Women on the Moon!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 4K HD transfer presented in 1080p in both 1.66:1 and 1.33:1 aspect ratios."

Tunnel Vision comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 45.4 GB

Feature: 18.6 GB (1.66:1 Aspect Ratio),  18.4 GB (1.33:1 Aspect Ratio)

Despite being a new 4K source, it is not without its shortcomings. The quality fluctuates throughout; in some moments colors look better than others, and image clarity is generally strong. That said, while there are moments when the source appears film-like, there are times when it resembles something that seems video-sourced.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and range-wise things sound good. That said, I did notice a few times where the subtitles were slightly off.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an archival image gallery with music from the film playing in the background, an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background, radio spots (5 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 56 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), Tunnel Vision Continuity Script, an interview with screenwriter and co-director Neal Israel conducted by Stuart Shapiro (45 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with cult film historian Marc Edward Heuck, reversible cover art, a collectible mini poster (limited to first pressing), and a slipcover (limited to first pressing).

Summary:

Tunnel Vision is more of a collection of comedic vignettes that are loosely connected by the premise that these clips are being watched as part of a congressional hearing. The film takes place in the near future of 1985, and there is a new TV channel, Tunnel Vision, that does not censor its content, like its competitors. The government's angle is that the content on Tunnel Vision contributes to societal moral decay, while those who run Tunnel Vision make their case that it is just escapism and harmless fun.

Over the course of this hearing, the audience is shown a typical 24 hour day of Tunnel Visions programming. Some of the shows include sitcoms about a pregnant man, a gypsy film, a rabbi cop, and a Charles Manson-themed show called Charlie's Girls. The news is also prominent throughout, and it features many stories that are just as relevant in the present. There is also a kid TV show where children ask Henry Kissinger questions, and a game show where participants are forced to acknowledge horrible things from their past. Besides the news, game shows, and sitcoms, there are outrageous commercials, including one featuring a proctologist giving men an exam, a public service announcement about pollution, a laser that renders someone unconscious for five minutes, and a phone service that allows you to speak to the dead.

The humor is broad and leans heavily into the politically incorrect. Though there are a few jokes that don’t land, most of them do. There is a brevity to these vignettes, and pacing-wise things move briskly. The cast has several recognizable faces: Howard Hesseman, Ron Silver, Ernie Anderson, Gerrit Graham, Rick Hurst, John Candy, Al Franken, Laraine Newman, and Chevy Chase. Ultimately, Tunnel Vision is a hilarious sketch comedy film that fans of Groove Tube and The Kentucky Fried Movie should thoroughly enjoy.

MVD Rewind gives Tunnel Vision its best home media release to date.

Written by Michael Den Boer