Severin Films Releasing The Blood Island Collection

[chriszilla]

Finally got to dip my toe into this set a bit, and I'm fairly pleased. The Image DVDs were such eyesores that this is inevitably a huge improvement. Count me as being in "the aspect ratio is just fine" camp.

It's quite possible that one's enjoyment of this set will be in direct proportion to how long they've been a fan of these films, and how many previous video incarnations they are familiar with. Compared to old TV viewings, and early VHS releases, these Blu-rays are an absolute revelation. And as you noted, they're also huge improvements over the old Image DVDs, which themselves were noticeable improvements over prior presentations.

Someone coming to these films for the first time, without prior experience with how atrocious they've looked in the past, probably won't appreciate the level of detail in these new releases. It's unfortunate some day-for-night scenes were presented incorrectly, but even there, as someone who has seen these films a lot, I found myself enjoying small details in these shots which I wouldn't be able to make out if they had been tinted like they were supposed to.

I'm with you on the aspect ratio. Matting these films would only have succeeding in throwing certain scenes or shots off kilter.

[Marshall Crist]

Finally got to dip my toe into this set a bit, and I'm fairly pleased. The Image DVDs were such eyesores that this is inevitably a huge improvement. Count me as being in "the aspect ratio is just fine" camp.

[47lab]

Being unfamiliar with these films, how graphic/exploitative are they? E.g. plenty of nudity?

The only one that was 'graphic' was MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND. well, MDOBI had the most gore that's for sure with lingering shots of entrails and severed limbs as well as a decapitation scene. Angelique Pettyjohn shows off her buxom breastesses and ass too. I recall John Astley gropes and licks her tits. Of course, if you really want to see her in the flesh then you can just google her XXX scenes from the hardcore porn she did in the early 80s.

[chriszilla]

You must be fun to have at parties.

Seems unfair to call the entire set a train wreck, sight unseen, no?

He's been outspoken in his disdain for this set long before it was ever released. Having read the nonstop negativity he's been putting forth elsewhere, I've come to the realization that he must have a very strong dislike for Severin as a company, and I imagine he goes into every release of theirs with the pitchforks and torches already out, looking for faults. (If I've mischaracterized his viewpoint, I can hardly be blamed, given his "contributions" to the Blood Island thread at Blu-ray.com.) Regardless of how many professional/thoughtful/courteous responses he would receive regarding the aspect ratio of these films, he'd reply with unsubstantiated "facts", as well as insults about the swizzle sticks that Severin included with the Blood Island Bundle they offered. A Bundle which very quickly sold out, by the way.

I hope for his sake that his constant complaining is somehow therapeutic for him. Because after he made his initial comments on the matter known to all, his carrying on and on about it started to grow tiresome.

And when he started getting some push back on his commentary, he played the "you're all uninformed, apologetic fanboys" card.

Imagine If I pre ordered?

Well, I did pre-order, and even spent extra for the aforementioned Bundle, and am very happy I did. Got a very nice Blood Island print that I plan on framing, plus some other cool items. And yeah, the swizzle sticks are sweet! It's hard to imagine that a big fan of these films wouldn't want one, if one was offered.

But what do I know? I'm obviously just an apologetic fanboy, after all.



[Apologies to the cool folks here at R!S!P! if this post comes off as too bitter. It probably would have been more appropriate in the Blu-ray.com thread on this set. It's just that the comments above triggered this train of thought!]

[Matt H.]

I think BRIDES needs a recall...have not seen the rest of this train wreck set yet.

Seems unfair to call the entire set a train wreck, sight unseen, no?

[agent999]

Unfortunately risking a pre order is one of the main drawbacks with the limited edition model, you risk there being disc problems vs. it selling out. If Beast of Blood had been available on its own I would not have pre ordered and picked these up one at a time at my leisure. Personally speaking the aspect ratio's not an issue for me and the day for night is a minor annoyance. I'm used to day for night looking really obvious even when it is properly coloured, sometimes it's part of the charm. Now that fucking German Deep Throat Blu Ray on the other hand with its botched upscale still really annoys me!

[John Bernhard]

Depends on the party.

Imagine If I pre ordered?

Sadly Severin has released so many poor quality blu's the last couple years, that is no longer a worry.

[Alex K.]

The salient point is Fred is a filmmaker himself...whether you are a fan of his directorial output or not.
Or of Retromedia's output or not...not the topic here.

Fred also saw these theatrically, and knows they were widescreen.
Sam Sherman says they were shot widescreen.

As for Day for Night, well these are on the prints, and the old DVD.
No one checked, apparently because no one associated with the project was a really fan.
If they were, this could not have been missed.

All the talk about Serverin's careful decision is pure, unadulterated misdirection.
As is nit picking about 1.66, 1.75 or 1.85. The movies were shot for widescreen exhibition, this is simply a fact.

In addition to the missed Day for Night, there are 3 other shots in the film that should be tinted ( they weren't ).
Color timing on BRIDES skews hard green from a yellow push, and contrast is erratic.

I think BRIDES needs a recall...have not seen the rest of this train wreck set yet.

You must be fun to have at parties.

[Matt H.]

It is a bit ironic that Fred's posting about incorrect aspect ratios when Retromedia released THE ALIEN FACTOR cropped to 1.78:1 when it was obviously meant to be screened 1.37:1.

[John Bernhard]

The salient point is Fred is a filmmaker himself...whether you are a fan of his directorial output or not.
Or of Retromedia's output or not...not the topic here.

Fred also saw these theatrically, and knows they were widescreen.
Sam Sherman says they were shot widescreen.

As for Day for Night, well these are on the prints, and the old DVD.
No one checked, apparently because no one associated with the project was a really fan.
If they were, this could not have been missed.

All the talk about Serverin's careful decision is pure, unadulterated misdirection.
As is nit picking about 1.66, 1.75 or 1.85. The movies were shot for widescreen exhibition, this is simply a fact.

In addition to the missed Day for Night, there are 3 other shots in the film that should be tinted ( they weren't ).
Color timing on BRIDES skews hard green from a yellow push, and contrast is erratic.

I think BRIDES needs a recall...have not seen the rest of this train wreck set yet.

[Matt H.]

Like Retromedia's the gold standard Fred!

Haha, exactly.

[chriszilla]

There has been a detailed discussion about the topic of aspect ratios for these films in the forums over at Blu-ray.com. There is a thread dedicated to the Blood Island Collection there. It's clear some people don't agree with their decision to present these open matte, but at least people should respect the fact that they gave the topic serious consideration, and didn't just carelessly present them in 4:3. There are a few posts in that thread that discuss the decision to present them open matte. I for one am glad they did present them this way, because the cheesy effects and the nudity are a significant part of these film's charm, and I'd prefer that stuff not be matted out of the frame. After reading more about the subject, in my opinion a 1.85 presentation would have been much worse than what we have now.

The day-for-night stuff is unfortunate. I doubt that notes/records still exist for whatever color timing decisions were made back then. Perhaps there was someone connected with the films who could have been consulted on which shots were altered in the lab (assuming there is someone who still has clear recollection on that stuff).

[agent999]

Like Retromedia's the gold standard Fred! Only ever seen these full screen, but the day for night issue sounds annoying. Will see.

[John Bernhard]

Fred Ray wonders about incorrect aspect ratios and day for night mess ups.
He is not alone.

[agent999]

Some nudity, gore and animal slaughter.