10kbullets

Frightmare: Tromatic Special Edition – Troma Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1981
Director: Norman Thaddeus Vane
Writer: Norman Thaddeus Vane
Cast: Ferdy Mayne, Luca Bercovici, Nita Talbot, Leon Askin, Jennifer Starrett, Barbara Pilavin, Alan Stock, Jeffrey Combs

Release Date: January 20th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 86 Minutes 36 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $19.95

"Following the death of legendary horror actor Conrad Radzoff (Ferdy Mayne, The Howling II, Conan the Destroyer), a group of overzealous drama students steal his corpse from his crypt and take it to the decrepit haunted house where his finest fright films were made. As the night goes on, the students learn the true meaning of terror, as Conrad's vengeful spirit takes them out one by one." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Frightmare comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 30.2 GB

Feature: 19.5 GB

It appears that Troma Films is using the same 2K master that Vinegar Syndrome used for their 2015 Blu-ray/DVD combo. Here’s the information about that transfer: "Restored in 2k from 35mm camera negative." The source is in excellent shape; the flesh tones look healthy, the colors are nicely saturated, the image clarity and black levels are strong, there are no issues with compression, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English, and removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, balanced, and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 28 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an artwork gallery (posters/stills), the original DVD intro featuring Lloyd Kaufman and Debbie Rechon (2 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with cinematographer Joel King titled Man With A Camera (21 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio interview with director Norman Thaddeus Vane that plays like an audio commentary over the duration of the film, an archival historical audo commentary with David Del Valle and David DeCoteau, and an archival audio commentary with 'The Hysteria Continues' Podcast.

Other extras include a gory lesson from the set of Meat For Satan’s Ice Box (5 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), INNARDS! music video (1 minute 50 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Radiation March (54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and trailers for Shakespeare's Shitstorm, Eating Miss Campbell, Curse of the Weredeer, Sweet Meats, Killy Dolly Kill, The Toxic Avenger, Tromeo & Juliet, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., and Class of Nuke 'Em High.

Summary:

Drama students, who are fans of the recently departed actor, steal his corpse from his crypt. From there they pay tribute to their idol by taking him back to the place where he shot several movies. And what started off as a joyous celebration quickly turns dark when it becomes apparent that their guest of honor has been awoken from the beyond.

Frightmare is a film filled with misdirection and right from the get-go it gets the ball rolling in this regard with its opening sequence. Frightmare begins with a young woman who remains unaware of the vampire lurking behind her. After he bites her neck, a director yells, "Cut." This moment serves as a film-within-a-film scene, highlighting the protagonist, Conrad Radzoff, as he grapples with his latest performance. This moment is crucial in Frightmare, as it clearly defines the protagonist, his motivations, and the lengths he is willing to go to achieve his desires.

Although most of the performances are serviceable, none of them hamper Frightmare in any way. The most memorable performance is Ferdy Mayne (The Fearless Vampire Killers), who portrays an iconic horror actor named Conrad Radzoff. Famed horror actor Christopher Lee was the original choice for Conrad Radzoff, and while he did not take on the role, he does still appear in Frightmare via old film clips. The cast features a few recognizable faces, like Luca Bercovici (Parasite) and Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator).

Without a doubt, Frightmare’s greatest asset is its visuals, which create a remarkable atmosphere and effectively reinforce the film's tone. When discussing these visuals, it's important to acknowledge the contributions of cinematographer Joel King (Just Before Dawn). Also, when it comes to the visuals, one can see the clear influence cinematographer Mario Tosi (Some Call it Loving) had on this film. Joel King had previously worked with Mario Tosi of Brian De Palma's Carrie.

When it comes to the death sequences, they all deliver the goods and then some. A standout moment of carnage features a scene in which one of the drama students is decapitated. Another brutal moment that pushes the boundaries of gore is a scene where one of the drama student’s tongues is ripped out of their mouth.

The narrative executes well; it finds a good balance between its highs and lows. Unfortunately, those seeking character backstory may be disappointed, as the film is populated with typical caricatures that have become overly familiar due to their frequent use in the horror genre. The good news is when it comes to each of these types of characters, it's easier to cheer on their demise. Ultimately, Frightmare is a highly entertaining film that immediately grabs your attention with its devious premise.

Frightmare gets a first-rate release from Troma Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras. Recommended.