I’ve always said that slasher movies are like sex, even when they are bad they are still pretty good. That could totally be said for 1986’s Slaughter High. I first came across this movie at one of the most random video stores ever in my hometown, way back around 1991/1992. The movie wasn’t what I’d call great, but it stuck with me. Years later after trying to buy a bunch of the older stuff I could remember from my childhood, I got Slaughter High on DVD from Lionsgate…I think you know where this is going, as we look at a couple different versions of the film on DVD.
SLAUGHTER HIGH (The Lost Collection/Uncut) (Lionsgate)
I picked up the Lionsgate DVD of Slaughter High around its release in April of 2009. While the movie was here in its uncut form, it looks to be about on the same level as a good VHS rip, which can have character regardless of quality. One of the worst things about this one, however, is the it comes to us in the ol’ 1:33 full screen ratio with not a single extra to be found outside of the “Trivia Track”. If you just wanted to movie this was basically it unless you wanted the VHS. I guess if that was all you could get it wasn’t so bad and they’ve went on with no sign of a Blu-ray in sight, all the while tossing this same version with the same 1:33 ratio on various compilation sets, even this infamous (for a time) 8 movie set you can find in many bargain bins
It wasn’t until much later that I realized a much better version out was out and it came to us by way of our friends over in the UK, Arrow Video.
SLAUGHTER HIGH (Arrow Video)
Little did I know that in July of 2011, UK’s Arrow Video, would release the best version of Slaughter High to date. I actually traded online in one of those wacky collector groups for my copy. Released for the first time ever uncut in the UK (Complete with original April Fool’s Day title screen), the DVD would not only be region free, but come in widescreen AND packed with a whole list of extra we never got with the US release. Showing how much Arrow cares about titles. Sure, the movie isn’t anything special per-say, but it looked really good here, as can be seen by the comparison below.
Oh and remember those extras? Well, here we go…
• Introduction by Mark Ezra (16:9; 0:20)
• Audio Commentary by writer/co-director Mark Ezra, moderated by Justin Kerswell
• Audio Commentary by actress Caroline Munro, moderated by Callum Waddell (with Allan Bryce)
• Jesters and Jolts: interview with Mark Ezra (16:9; 11:46)
• Lamb to the Slaughter: the Scream Queen Career of Caroline Munro (16:9; 25:59)
• Theatrical Trailer (4:3; 1:38)
• Easter Egg: Caroline Munro interview blooper (16:9; 0:18)
• Collectors’ Booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by author Troy Howarth, an interview
• with legendary composer Harry Manfredini by Calum Waddell and an interview with star Josephine
• Scandi by Justin Kerswell
• Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
• Double-sided fold-out artwork poster
Here’s a peek at the reversible cover and the poster
I think Arrow Video easily wins this one.
