Cult Horror Classics
8 DVD Box Set
By C. Demetrius Morgan
Overview: This is a preliminary mini review/synopsis of the “Limited Edition” 8 DVD Box Set of “Cult Horror Classics” published by St. Clair; a Canadian company.
Unit # off the box: BX89959-8VD.
Purchased: Off the shelf at a Fye’s.
Price: $24.99 (roughly $3.12 per movie)
Initial Impressions: Overall I’d say that I was pleasantly surprised with this box set. However I was not happy to find that this set contained the exact same utterly craptastic PD version of Fangs of the Living Dead that I already got reamed for, then again The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave proved to be a superior transfer to the version I already have. Yes, I even have a version of Invasion of the Bee Girls on tape somewhere, and yes I know it was also available on DVD but this is not a title I would have gone out of my way to buy. Considering Amazon lists this very title, from a different DVD company, as going for $4.98 that marks this as a bargain bin title. If I saw it in a brick and mortar store I probab ly would have passed, just not that interested in this title. Still it is nice to have a copy on DVD. What’s more the version of The Devil’s Nightmare in this set appears to be from a similarly well-preserved source as that of the Redemption re lease. So
Listed Running Time: 111 minutes
Actual Running Time: Not Yet Checked.
Comments: This forgotten R-rated 1973 flick stars Karen Black and Christopher Plummer.
Listed Running Time: 80 minutes
Actual Running Time: 74 minutes
Comments: This is the EXACT same crappy PD copy that Retromedia pushes for ten bucks. The only difference here is that this time the listed running time isn’t as grossly exaggerated. But that’s still a massive SIX-minute discrepancy. Doesn’t anyone actually bother to check what they are selling, if only to see if it’s even what they claim it to be? No extras. No rating information listed.
Listed Running Time: 85 minutes
Actual Running Time: 86 minutes.
Comments: Believe it or not this is a PG version of the R-rated Invasion of the Bee Girls. A cursory examination reveals that some, if not all, of the nude scenes appear to be more or less intact. Sadly the picture exhibits noticeable interlacing problems when viewed on a PC. To quote Spock, “Fascinating.”
Listed Running Time: 87 minutes
Actual Running Time: Not Yet Checked.
Comments: I also have this title on a “Treasure Box” dollar store edition. Haven’t gotten around to looking at that version yet either but I am sincerely hoping that this version will be superior to that one, even as I fear I will discover that I’ve bought the exact same version as found on that disc. (See entry for Fangs of the Living Dead to see why.)
Listed Running Time: 94 minutes
Actual Running Time: Not Yet Checked.
Listed Running Time: 111 minutes
Actual Running Time: 98 minutes.
Comments: After viewing the Alpha version of this title I have to admit this version came as a total surprise. First, it’s in LETTERBOX format. Second, though the source was obviously taken from a badly scratched print I’d have to say this is slightly more watchable, if only because you get more picture information. Lists itself to be the “R” rated version of the film.
Listed Running Time: 88 minutes
Actual Running Time: Forgot to record.
Comments: I have the widescreen Redemption (Image Entertainment) unrated release of this title, which lists a running time of 93 minutes. While this, much to my surprise is also a widescreen release it lists itself to be the R-rated version. Picture quality isn’t too bad, though the Redemption version wins hands down when picture resolutions and clarity are compared on a PC.
Listed Running Time: 90 minutes
Actual Running Time: Not Yet Checked.
Appraisal: There’s really only one measuring stick for items like this after all is said and done and that’s 1) if you feel your money was well spent and 2) if you‘d recommend the item to someone else. I’d have to say yes. (Especially if you don’t already have any of these titles.) Seriously, for what I paid for the box set that my copy of The Devil’s Nightmare came in you could buy this box set and have enough money left over for a pizza! Heck my copy of Fangs of the Living De ad- which is the EXACT SAME version found herein- cost me 10 bucks. Now do the math: 8 movies for $25 or 1 movie for $10. Which sounds like the better buy? Exactly.
It isn’t bargain bin cheap but then again neither are the transfers. Also, there are more than a couple “Euro-Horror” classics here. For price finding comparable quality releases of titles like The Night Evelyn Came out of the Grave and The Devil’s Nightmare are are going to be virtually impossible. A great box set for that horror fan in your life or, if I may be so bold as to suggest, even as a selfless gift to yourself as a reward for all those little things you do.
Too, if you are a harried GM always looking for new and interesting ideas for your horror game, and have the time to watch movies, then this could be just the box set for you. Certainly the story underpinning Graveyard Tramps (Invasion o f the Bee Girls) is unique, to say the least, and could make for an interesting threat for any spy themed campaign looking for a hint of horror.
Conclusion: The good and the bad more or less balance out. Part of the good is the DVDs are all Region 0 (All). If you were to buy these movies individually it would probably cost you close to, if not well over, $50 depending on where you sh op and what versions you purchased. True, you can find some of these titles in budget priced editions, but with few exceptions the transfers in this set are far superior to anything offered elsewhere. Also, if you care about this sort of thing, the DV Ds each come in a slim case. That means the entire box set occupies roughly the same space that four normal keep case DVDs would. Well worth buying if you don’t already have these titles on DVD.
Copyright © 2004 C. Demetrius Morgan