Death Walks Twice: Two Films by Luciano Ercoli: Death Walks on High Heels / Deaths Walks at Midnight – Arrow Video (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Dates: Italy/Spain/UK/France, 1971 (Death Walks on High Heels), Italy/Spain, 1972 (Deaths Walks at Midnight)
Director: Luciano Ercoli (Both Films)
Cast: Frank Wolff, Nieves Navarro, Simón Andreu, Carlo Gentili, Jorge Rigaud, José Manuel Martín, Fabrizio Moresco, Luciano Rossi, Claudie Lange (Death Walks on High Heels), Nieves Navarro, Simón Andreu, Peter Martell, Carlo Gentili, Ivano Staccioli, Claudio Pellegrini, Fabrizio Moresco, Luciano Rossi, Roberta Cifarelli, Claudie Lange (Deaths Walks at Midnight)

Release Date: March 28th, 2016 (UK), April 5th, 2016 (USA)
Approximate Running Times: 107 Minutes 48 Seconds (Death Walks on High Heels), 101 Minutes 50 Seconds (Deaths Walks at Midnight)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English (Both Films)
Subtitles: English, English SDH (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region A,B / Region 1,2 NTSC
Retail Price: OOP

"In Death Walks on High Heels, exotic dancer Nicole (Navarro), the daughter of a murdered jewel thief, finds herself terrorized by a black-clad assailant determined on procuring her father s stolen gems. Fleeing Paris and her knife-wielding pursuer, Nicole arrives in London only to discover that death stalks her at every corner.

Returning in Death Walks at Midnight, Navarro stars as Valentina a model who, in the midst of a drug-fueled photoshoot, witnesses a brutal murder in the apartment opposite hers. But when it becomes clear that the savage slaying she describes relates to a crime that took place six months earlier, the police are at a loss - forcing Valentina to solve the mystery alone." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5 (Death Walks on High Heels), 4/5 (Deaths Walks at Midnight)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "All work on this new restoration was carried out at L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna. The original 35mm 2-perf Techniscope negative was scanned in 2K resolution on a pin-registered Arriscan and was graded on Digital Vision's Nucoda Film Master.

Thousands of instances of dirt, debris and light scratches were removed through a combination of digital restoration tools. Overall image stability and instances of density fluctuation were also improved."

Death Walks on High Heels comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.5 GB

Feature: 29.5 GB

Deaths Walks at Midnight comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.3 GB

Feature: 28 GB

The sources are in excellent shape; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look. While the black levels are generally strong, there are instances where they lack the convincing depth one would expect.

Audio: 4.25/5 (All Audio Tracks)

Each film comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian. All audio tracks are in great shape; dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, ambient sounds and the score are well-represented. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track and removable English SDH for the English language track. There is a portion of the Italian language track for Death Walks at Midnight that has been lost, and English audio has been substituted in its place.

Extras:

Extras for Death Walks on High Heels include an introduction with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi (1 minute 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), Italian language theatrical trailer (2 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), English language theatrical trailer (2 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles subtitles), an interview with composer Stelvio Cipriani titled Death Walks to the Beat (26 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with Ernesto Gastaldi titled Master of Giallo (32 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview actress Nieves Navarro and director Luciano Ercoli titled From Spain with Love (24 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with film critic Tim Lucas.

Extras for Death Walks at Midnight include an introduction with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi (1 minute 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a video essay by Michael Mackenzie titled Desperately Seeking Susan, he discusses Nieves Navarro and the three Gialli she made with Luciano Ercoli (27 minutes 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Ernesto Gastaldi that is titled Crime Does Pay (31 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), extended T.V. version of Death Walks at Midnight (106 minutes 4 seconds, 4:3 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles) and an audio commentary with Tim Lucas.

Other extras include reversible cover (both films) and a 60-page perfect bound book with cast & crew information for each film, an essay titled Teetering on High Heels written by Danny Shipka, an essay titled Death Walks the 70’s: Luciano Ercoli and the Gialo written by Troy Howarth, an essay titled The Comedy Stylings of the “Yellow” Genre written by Leonard Jacobs, and information about the restoration.

Included with this release are DVDs that contain the same content as the Blu-Ray included in this combo package.

Summary:

Death Walks on High Heels and Death Walks at Midnight were directed by Luciano Ercoli, whose other notable films are The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion and Killer Cop.

Death Walks on High Heels: A killer is pursuing a nightclub dancer who unknowingly is in possession of stolen diamonds.

The Giallo genre, like all genres, is formulaic, and once you have seen a few of them, many of its tropes start to stick out. That said, Luciano Ercoli follows up The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion with an equally riveting Giallo. The narrative is well-constructed; it does a phenomenal job concealing the killer's identity. There are several well-placed red herrings, and an excellent finale brings everything into focus. Another strength of the narrative is its use of flashbacks, which flesh out the killer's motivation.

The main attraction of Death Walks on High Heels is Nieves Navarro (The Big Gundown) in the role of Nicole Rochard, a nightclub dancer whose father is a diamond thief. She was given the lead role in Death Walks on High Heels after portraying a secondary character in The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion. She is an actress who commands the screen and often steals a scene. With her portrayal of Nicole, she delivers what is arguably her best performance.

When it comes to the performances, the entire cast is excellent, especially Luciano Rossi (The Violent Professionals), who portrays Hallory, a caretaker of the cottage Nicole is staying at. Though he is not given much to do, and for most of his screen time he portrays an atypical character, in a Psycho-like finale he delivers the type of performance he’s known for. The cast features several recognizable faces: Simón Andreu (Death Carries a Cane) plays Nicole’s abusive boyfriend, Frank Wolff (Cold Eyes of Fear) portrays Robert Matthews, Nicole’s lover, and Claudie Lange (The Punishment) takes on the role of Robert’s wife, who bears a striking resemblance to Nicole.

Despite Death Walks on High Heels' lack of carnage, it is a film overflowing with visually arresting moments. Another strength of the visuals is how effectively it exploits locations, notably the cottage by the seaside. Not to be overlooked is composer Stelvio Cipriani (What Have They Done to Your Daughters?), who delivers an exemplary score that perfectly reinforces and heightens the mood. Ultimately, Death Walks on High Heels is a tense thriller that holds your attention, making it a must-see for fans of the Giallo genre.

Death Walks at Midnight: A fashion model named Valentina agrees to try a new hallucinogenic drug at the request of a reporter friend of hers who wants to do a story on the drug's aftereffects. While under the influence, Valentina witnesses a woman being attacked by a man with a metal-spiked glove. From there her identity is exposed when her reporter friend publishes the story, and now the man with the metal spike wants her dead. With no one believing her story, she is now forced to solve the mystery herself. Will Valentina unmask this madman, or will she become his next victim?

A year after directing Death Walks on High Heels, Luciano Ercoli would return to the Giallo genre for the third and final time. Death Walks at Midnight is like a companion piece to Death Walks on High Heels; besides sharing actors, the cinematographer on both films was Fernando Arribas, known for his collaborations with Jorge Grau and Vicente Aranda. For the third film in a row, Luciano Ercoli would have a different composer, this time around Gianni Ferrio (The Bloodstained Butterfly). He delivers a score that perfectly reflects Death Walks at Midnight's hallucinogenic vibe and its protagonist's state of mind.

After two rather bloodless Gialli, Luciano Ercoli, with Death Walks at Midnight, delivers a film that is in line with the visceral carnage that this genre's most celebrated films are known for. One of the killers uses a spiked glove that removes chunks of flesh every time a victim's face is punched. Though these sequences are gory, there are a few other kills that do not match their intensity. That said, as gruesome as the spiked-gloved killings are, it is a scene with a dead cat that is the hardest to watch. 

All around, the cast are excellent, especially Nieves Navarro (All the Colors of the Dark), who portrays Valentina, a fashion model who sees a murder after taking a hallucinogenic drug. Where her character in Death Walks on High Heels relied on men to protect her, Valentina is a woman who can stand on her own, and she uses her wits to get her out of danger.

Another performance of note is Luciano Rossi (Death Smiles on a Murderer), who portrays Hans Krutzer, a psychopathic assassin with a maniacal laugh. The cast features several recognizable faces: Simón Andreu (Hidden Pleasures) portrays the reporter who gave Valentina drugs, Peter Martell (The French Sex Murders) portrays Valentina’s boyfriend, and Claudie Lange (Gatling Gun) portrays Verushka Wuttenberg, a woman whose sister was murdered like the woman from Valentina’s hallucinatory vision.

From a production standpoint, Luciano Ercoli delivers his most accomplished Giallo. The outrageous premise is superbly executed, and the narrative does an excellent job building and maintaining tension. Another strength of the narrative is its use of flashback and hallucinatory sequences. Visually, Death Walks at Midnight is filled with arresting moments that heighten the mood. Ultimately, Death Walks at Midnight is an exemplary Giallo, making it one of this genre's best films.

Death Walks Twice: Two Films by Luciano Ercoli is an exceptional release from Arrow Video that gives both films strong audio/video presentations and insightful extras. Highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/Spain, 1970
Director: Luciano Ercoli
Writers: Ernesto Gastaldi, Mahnahén Velasco
Cast: Dagmar Lassander, Pier Paolo Capponi, Simón Andreu, Osvaldo Genazzani, Salvador Huguet, Nieves Navarro

Release Date: January 14th, 2019 (UK), January 15th, 2019 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 95 Minutes 45 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: OOP

"Minou (Dagmar Lassander, Lucio Fulci's The Black Cat) leads a pampered but dull life with her frequently absent husband, Peter (Pier Paolo Capponi, The Cat O' Nine Tails). One night, while out walking on the beachfront, Minou is accosted by a mysterious blackmailer (Simón Andreu, Death Carries a Cane) who informs her that Peter is a murderer. Driven by misplaced loyalty to her husband, Minou gives in to the blackmailer's every perverted whim in exchange for his silence. But as the blackmailer ups the ante, demanding that she submit to his increasingly obscene demands, can Minou hold on to what little remains of her sanity?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion/Le foto proibite di una signora per bene is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 with Italian and English mono audio. Scanning and restoration work was completed at L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna. The original 2-perf Techniscope 35mm camera negative was scanned in 2K resolution on a pin-registered Arriscan. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, picture instability and other instances of film wear were repaired or removed through a combination of digital restoration tools and techniques.

The film was graded on Digital Vision's Nucoda Film Master at R3Store Studios, London."

The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.3 GB

Feature: 24.5 GB

The source is in excellent shape; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, an LPCM mono mix in Italian and an LPCM mono mix in English. Both audio tracks are in great shape; dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, ambient sounds and the score are well-represented. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track and removable English SDH for the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (9 images - stills/poster), Italian language theatrical trailer (3 minutes 13 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), English language theatrical trailer (3 minutes 13 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles subtitles), a Q&A with actress Dagmar Lassander at the 2016 Festival of Fantastic Films in Manchester titled The Forbidden Lady (44 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with musician and soundtrack collector Lovely Jon titled The Forbidden Soundtrack of the Big Three (47 minutes 5 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actress Nieves Navarro and director Luciano Ercoli titled Private Pictures (44 minutes 15 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with Kat Ellinger, author and editor-in-chief of Diabolique Magazine, reversible cover art and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast and & crew information, an essay titled Every Maniac Has His Price written by Michael Mackenzie, original reviews compiled and translated by Roberto Curti and information about the restoration.

Summary:

The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion was directed by Luciano Ercoli, whose other notable films are Death Walks on High Heels, Death Walks at Midnight, and Killer Cop.

A woman is blackmailed by a man who has incriminating evidence against her husband.

The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion would mark the directorial debut of Luciano Ercoli, and after watching this film, it does not look like it was directed by a first-time director, since everything looks polished and perfectly put into the right place. When discussing the films directed by Luciano Ercoli, he is never mentioned in the same breath as some of his more elevated contemporaries. That said, Luciano Ercoli is an auteur in his own right; his films are every bit as accomplished and beautifully stylized of Dario Argento, Sergio Martino, and Lucio Fulci.

The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion is not your typical Giallo. It is revealed early on who the killer is, there is no black-gloved killer, and there is no excessive bloodshed. Another area where The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion defies this genre's standard conventions is its protagonist, Minou. Instead of seeking help, she believes she must keep the secret to protect her husband from jail by eliminating all the evidence from the blackmailers. Going any further might compromise too much of the mystery. Dagmar Lassander (The Laughing Woman) portrays Minou, and she delivers what is arguably one of her best performances.

The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion’s other lead is actress Nieves Navarro (Naked Violence), who later in her career would play the victim in several Giallos. This time around she plays the most level-headed person in the film, and she is also the one that Minou relies on when she starts to lose her grip on reality. Both Nieves Navarro and Dagmar Lassander are undeniably stunning, and words alone cannot adequately capture their true beauty in this film. The rest of the cast is rounded out with familiar faces like Pier Paolo Capponi (The Cat O’ Nine Tails) in the role of Minou’s husband and Simón Andreu (The Blood Spattered Bride) in the role of the blackmailer.

From a production standpoint, there is not an area where The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion does not excel. The narrative effectively obscures the killer's intentions until the very end, and the pacing is consistently brisk. The combination of stylish visuals and another exemplary score from Ennio Morricone greatly enhances the mood. Ultimately, The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion is an exceptional Giallo that succeeds without having to rely on genre cliches like violent and carnal set pieces.

The Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion gets an excellent release from Arrow Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Visceral: Between the Ropes of Madness – Unearthed Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Chile, 2012
Director: Felipe Eluti
Writer: Felipe Eluti
Cast: Felipe Eluti, Carolina Salles, Felipe Ruiz, José Manuel García, Gabriela Arancibia

Release Date: May 13th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 76 Minutes 37 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Stereo Spanish
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $34.95

"A boxer loses the biggest fight of his life. He slowly finds himself, giving up his dream and finds that life is not worth living. At least, those lives around him are not worthy of life. He steps through and unleashes an entity that torments him and guile's him to do unspeakable acts of torture and murder. As body counts rise and lives are diminished, will he have any hope? Any way to fight back to what he once was?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Visceral: Between the Ropes of Madness comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 20 GB

Feature: 19.3 GB

The source used for this transfer looks great. Colors and flesh tones look correct, image clarity and black levels are solid, and compression is very good.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in Spanish, and removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clear and balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include reversible cover art, a behind the scenes image gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a teaser trailer (53 seconds, LPCM stereo with English text, no subtitles), a featurette titled Cineteca Nacional's Massacre in Xoco 2013 (3 minutes 24 seconds, LPCM stereo Spanish with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with director/screenwriter/actor Felipe Eluti in Spanish with removable English subtitles.

Summary:

A boxer becomes a vessel of pure evil that indiscriminately tortures and kills.

It is clear that the protagonist suffered a psychotic break that connected to his environment. Though there is minimal exposition, there is some time devoted to his backstory, which divulges his tumultuous relationship with his mother. That said, the narrative relies heavily on its visuals, which propel things forward.

The visuals take on an observer role as they let you view the full scope of the carnage inflicted by the protagonists. These moments are brutal, gory, and excessive, and they do a superb job putting you in the protagonist's state of mind. When it comes to the special effects, they are well-executed and extremely effective.

Sound plays a significant role when it comes to creating an environment. Besides ambient sounds, the score does a phenomenal job with its piercing notes that land like body blows. That said, Visceral: Between the Ropes of Madness is a film that fully maximizes its resources. Ultimately, Visceral: Between the Ropes of Madness is an assault on the senses that never lets up.

Visceral: Between the Ropes of Madness gets a first-rate release from Unearthed Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and an informative audio commentary.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

Wan Pipel – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Suriname/Netherlands, 1976
Director: Pim de la Parra
Writers: Rudi F. Kross, Pim de la Parra
Cast: Borger Breeveld, Diana Gangaram Panday, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Emanuel van Gonter, Ro Jackson-Breeveld, Joyce Mungroo-Ooft, Ruud Mungroo, Grace Calor-Ooft, Asha Bharosa

Release Date: May 27th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 111 Minutes 16 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan, DTS-HD Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"A love story between a Suriname man (Borger Breeveld), his Dutch girlfriend (Willeke van Ammelrooy), and an Indian girl (Diana Gangaram Panday), that breaks all color, race, and religious barriers." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Restored 2K Transfer".

Wan Pipel comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.9 GB

Feature: 23.7 GB

Outside a few very minor instances of print debris, the source is in excellent shape. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity is generally strong, compression is very good, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. That said, black levels are not as convincing as they should be.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan, DTS-HD Mono Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan and a DTS-HD mono mix in Dutch/Bhojpuri/Sranan. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, the score and ambient sounds are well-represented. Included are removable English subtitles that translate everything except a few Bhojpuri chants that are left untranslated.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery (23 images), a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), a short film directed by Pim de la Parra titled Aah… Tamara (26 minutes 57 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), an archival documentary from 1976 titled The Making of Wan Pipel (24 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Dutch with removable English subtitles), an interview with actress Willeke van Ammelrooy (38 minutes 4 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Dutch with removable English subtitles), an archival introduction by director Pim de la Parra (9 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Dutch with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with film historian Lex Veerkamp and Bodil de la Parra in English, reversible cover art, and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Other extras include a collection of Scorpio Films trailers: Dakota, Frank & Eva, My Nights with Susan, Olga, Albert, Julie, Piet & Sandra, Obsessions, Blue Movie, and Pastorale 1943.

Summary:

Pim de la Parra directed Wan Pipel. His notable films include Obsessions, Frank & Eva, and My Nights with Susan, Olga, Albert, Julie, Piet & Sandra.

A Suriname man who has been living in Holland with his Dutch girlfriend returns to his homeland and has a spiritual awakening.

Filmmakers are often drawn to films that connect with them on a personal level. Director Pim de la Parra was born in the town of Paramaribo, in Dutch Guiana (which is now Suriname), and 64 years after his birth, he would die in that same town. Although he was Dutch, he undoubtedly felt a strong connection to Suriname, the land of his birth.

The narrative revolves around a man named Roy, who returns to his homeland when he hears his mother is gravely ill. Despite his intention to be with his family, he slowly starts to drift away from them in a moment of grief, and instead of mourning the loss of his mother, he begins a relationship with a Bhojpuri woman. Their relationship is instantly met by hostility by their families, who are opposed to other cultures. That said, Wan Pipel is a film about a man torn between two worlds: the life he’s made in Holland and his homeland.

The most surprising aspect of Wan Pipel is its performances; for most of the cast, this would be the only film they ever worked on. Borger Breeveld (The Obsessed One) is cast in the role of Roy, he delivers a convincing performance of a man at a crossroads. The cast's most notable name is Willeke van Ammelrooy, a frequent collaborator of Pim de la Parra. That said, the lack of experience works in Wan Pipel’s favor, giving the performances a rawness.

Shot entirely on location, there is an in-the-moment quality to the events that unfold. The Suriname locations are picturesque, and the visuals take full advantage of them. The narrative does a superb job drawing you in and holding your attention. Another strength is the score, which does an excellent job reinforcing its introspective tone. Ultimately, Wan Pipel is an exceptional film that explores the journey of self-discovery and the importance of embracing one's identity.

Wan Pipel gets a first-rate release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

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