Curtains (1983) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Jonathan Stryker
Starring: John Vernon, Samantha Eggar, Lesleh Donaldson, Lynne Griffin
Rated: R/Region A/1:77/1080p/Number of Discs 1
Available from Synapse Films
John Vernon (CHAINED HEAT, National Lampoon’s ANIMAL HOUSE) and Samantha Eggar (THE BROOD, THE EXTERMINATOR)star in this horror classic from the golden age of the slasher genre. A group of women gather for a weekend casting call at the secluded mansion of director Jonathan Stryker (Vernon). He’s searching for the perfect woman to play the role of the crazed character Audra, and these women are just dying for the chance to play her! Stryker’s last star, Samantha Sherwood(Eggar), is so determined to get the part, she committed herself to an asylum to prepare for the role. Unfortunately for all, a crazed killer in a disgusting hag mask is viciously murdering everyone, one by one. Who will survive the final curtain call? Lovingly re-mastered in 2K resolution from original vault materials virtually untouched for over 30 years, CURTAINS makes its high-definition world premiere from Synapse Films.
Have you ever seen a movie, then watched it again and it seemed like a whole different movie? That’s how I felt watching the crisp and clean Synapse Blu-ray of Curtains after having just a VHS rip of it on a four pack before. Cleaning the film up does wonders as the thing really does have an even better atmosphere as before. Seeing it so clear and clean shows us the director’s intent and if you are wondering, yes, I’d say the transfer of the films look about as flawless as one could hope for such an obscure film. When I reviewed an older copy of the film I said the film dragged and it was hurt somewhat by not having a very strong true lead. I will still stand by that, but I will admit the randomness of the kills and who is being stalked really does seem to add to the overall eeriness of the film. It is an unpredictable film and I think that might be it’s calling. Not really knowing who’s safe and who isn’t is the charm really.
While it isn’t much of a gore driven film, there is style in the slashing. The stylish ways things are orchestrated makes death memorable even if there isn’t a lot of blood flying around to go along with it. There is a creepy doll, a creepy mask, and unless you have seen it before the ending will certainly shock you in a very good way. As for how twists in slashers go, I’d say you couldn’t get much better than what you end up with in Curtains. Overall, this is a superb release from Synapse and even if you’ve seen Curtains before you’ve not really seen it until you have seen this release. Oh, and if you are wondering, the boom mics that were popping up all over the place in the old versions is thankfully gone.
- The Ultimate Nightmare: The Making Of Curtains – Retrospective
- Audio Commentary With Stars Lesleh Donaldson & Lynne Griffin
- Audio Interviews With Producer Peter R. Simpson And Star Samantha Eggar
- Theatrical Trailer
