StageFright (1987) (Blu-ray Review)
Directed By: Michele Soavi
Starring: David Brandon, Barbara Cupisti
Rated: UR/Region A/1:77/1080p/Number of Discs 1
Available from: Blue Underground
While a group of young actors rehearse a new musical about a mass murderer, a notorious psychopath escapes from a nearby insane asylum. But when the shows director locks his cast in the theater overnight, the madman is accidentally locked inside as well. Now, a killer with acting in his blood has gone berserk for the blood of actors (including several scenes that EuroHorror fans worldwide consider to be the most violent of the decade) and the stage is set for one unforgettable evening of shock! An all-new Special Edition blu-ray!
So it’s theater time, everybody! And the drama on the set might be more intense than the plot of whatever play they are working on. A few cast members just don’t like one another. One couple just found out that they have a baby on the way. And the plays apparently star is sporting a relationship on the breaks with the director AND a bum wheel. That equals, DRAMA! But it also equals us wanting to see people hurry up and get off’d in horrific ways. That does come later on and it’s fun when it starts. I however, do wish it had starting coming at a more rapid pace and a little sooner. Characters tend to get a little clumsy and over dramatic at times (they are theater actors in the story after all), and you do find yourself at times trying to figure out how people could be so dumb. Then again, I’ve never been chased around by some dude wearing a giant owl head, so maybe you can’t always think clear in situations like that. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I don’t think the film packs a good character in the whole cast. Not bad actors, just not any characters that you will care anything about.
In situations like this, it’s the more blood the better. And, the blood does come later on. When this happens it makes the second half of the film far more enjoyable than the firs. When all of this finally comes to a head we are left with an ending that seems fitting. Only that’s not THE ending. We get things dragged out a little more and finally are left with a bit of a “wink wink” ending that will either rub you the wrong way or make you laugh. Not sure you’ll find a middle ground given it’s nature. You won’t have a complaint about the transfer, however. Blue Underground keeps knocking these things out of the park and I’d say this one is another home run. Good color and good details really help bring this one alive.
- Theater Of Delirium – Interview with Director Michele Soavi
- Head Of The Company – Interview with Star David Brandon
- Blood On The Stage Floor – Interview with Star Giovanni Lombardo Radice
- The Sound Of Aquarius – Interview with Composer Simon Boswell
- The Owl Murders – Interview with Make-Up Effects Artist Pietro Tenoglio
- Theatrical Trailer
- Poster & Still Gallery
