Project Ideas for Scream and Scream Again

Scream and Scream Once again (Blu-ray Review)

• Review Engagement: Aug 13, 2019
• Format: Blu-ray Disc
• 

Release Date(south)

1970 (Apr 23, 2019)

Studio(s)

American International Pictures/Amicus Productions (Kino Lorber Studio Classics)

• Film/Program Grade: C+
• Video Form: C+
• Audio Form: B
• Extras Grade: B

Review

Gordon Hessler's Scream and Scream Again isn't a typical moving-picture show from American International Pictures, nor is it emblematic of the type of genre its pulp title would lead you to believe it represents. Far removed from its perceived ties to gothic horror, it'due south describable more as a sci-fi conspiracy thriller, with only the mildest of horror elements. Upon its initial release, it managed to turn a modest profit, but it left a bad taste in the mouths of more a few horror fans who had lined upwardly to see Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing in their get-go ever movie together.

The story concerns organ transplant specialist Dr. Browning (Vincent Cost), who operates on his victims for their various limbs (for every bit notwithstanding unknown reasons); his former pupil Dr. Sorel (Christopher Matthews), who is suspicious of Browning's activities; the enigmatic, despotic-employed operative Konratz (Marshall Jones), who kills loftier-ranking officials (such equally Peter Cushing) past simply squeezing their shoulders whenever his system is threatened; the British law detective Bellaver (Alfred Marks), who is on the chase for a vampiric murderer of women (Michael Gothard); and the British intelligence agent Fremont (Christopher Lee), who is somehow continued to information technology all.

Based upon The Disoriented Man, Scream and Scream Once again follows the plot of its source novel fairly well, but leaves out several elements that give most of the characters their main story motivation. As is, it tin can exist a flake of a muddled mess as zippo ever actually seems to coagulate, with storylines fracturing in different directions and losing characters for many minutes of screen fourth dimension (with Vincent Cost left belongings the handbag at the end to endeavour and explain away the film's various plots). On the other hand, there are other things that the flick has going for it, including its star power and its impressive camera work from cinematographer John Coquillon, who would go on to lens the great George C. Scott ghost story classic The Changeling.

As previously mentioned, the major selling point for the picture show was the fact that it was the kickoff time that Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing would all be in a film together. Alas, it was zero more a cheap marketing claw. Cushing is in the film for not much more than than a cameo, and both Price and Lee are given little to exercise together, despite actualization opposite from each other for well-nigh a minute in the moving picture'south head-scratching finale. However, this oversight cannot exist blamed on Gordon Hessler, who was purportedly brought on to direct without a finished script, having to brand the best with what he had available to him. Cost was also unhappy with the projection and felt justifiably used, which some might argue was the start of the eventual end of his interest with American International Pictures.

1 tin continue and on nigh the behind-the-scenes dealings on Scream and Scream Again, but what information technology boils down to is that it merely isn't that strong a film. What it is instead is a very interesting film with well-filmed sequences (including a long and suspenseful car chase) and a fine cast. Information technology's besides more digestible upon a 2d viewing, especially one time the understanding that it isn't a straight horror moving picture is made articulate. Despite its shortcomings, many feel that it's a misunderstood effort and is actually Gordon Hessler's best piece of work, citing its strengths with admiration rather than disdain. It's a justifiable though understandably irregular indicate of view.

Released once before to Blu-ray by Twilight Fourth dimension, Kino Lorber Studio Classics picks upward the rights for a new release of Scream and Scream Once again, including (for the beginning time) both the US and Great britain versions of the moving-picture show – though there's simply a infinitesimal's difference between them with just pocket-sized variations. The TV version, which purportedly featured a different score, has not been utilized.

The transfer for the United states version is the aforementioned equally the Twilight Time disc. It's quite grainy, only organic in appearance. In that location'due south a balmy softness, particularly during outdoor scenes, just facial textures in close-ups and on clothing are oft distinct. The color palette is inconsistent, including on skin tones, simply information technology can be lush given the correct opportunity. Blacks are also uneven, often ripe with noise, while brightness and contrast levels could have used aligning. Information technology's likewise unstable in spots with bits of damage leftover, including scratches, speckling, and cue marks.

The UK version is a different beast altogether. It seems to exist from a print with crushed blacks and slightly washed out colors. On the whole, it appears, non different its counterpart, moving-picture show-like, though effulgence and contrast levels are slightly more ideal (neither release is definitive). There's besides more than apparent harm, including lines running through the frame, as well as instances of dirt, staining, splices, speckling, and scratches.

The sound for both versions is included in English two.0 mono DTS-HD. The US track is non out to impress sonically, but it'south an efficient track nonetheless. Dialogue is mostly clean and articulate, and both sound furnishings and score have an aplenty amount of heft to them. Sometimes the mix can exist a bit too overpowering, particularly in scenes that take place in a nightclub where it's more difficult to discern the dialogue over the music, merely other than that, it'south solid. The UK rail is like, just it seems to have a niggling more button when information technology comes to the score. Information technology likewise contains a bit more obvious damage than its US counterpart with occasional thumps and crackle. In that location are no subtitle options included at all, which is sadly a downgrade from the previous Blu-ray.

Bonus materials include a fantastic audio commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, who delves into the picture show's production and provides plenty of contextual information; the Trailers from Hell version of the film's trailer with commentary by filmmaker Mick Garris; a set up of 3 US radio spots; and bonus trailers for the Kino Lorber horror-related titles Tales of Terror, Twice-Told Tales, The Oblong Box, Madhouse, House of the Long Shadows, and the movie itself. Not carried over from Twilight Time's Blu-ray release is an isolated score audio track; an sound commentary with motion picture historians David Del Valle and Tim Sullivan; the 24-minute Gentleman Gothic: Gordon Hessler at American International Pictures documentary from Ballyhoo Movement Pictures; the 9-minute Uta Screams Once more!: An Interview with Uta Levka; and a still gallery.

Scream and Scream Over again certainly isn't one of the finest films of its era, only it may exist one of the most fascinating. As far equally its Blu-ray release, it's nice to have it back in print, but the lack of subtitles and previous extras is a lilliputian frustrating. On the other hand, the new extras, most importantly Tim Lucas' audio commentary, are worth the cost tag alone. Perhaps some other company will come to the table anytime once the film's rights expire over again and do their all-time to combine both sets of extras with new presentations of the film. Information technology certainly deserves more deluxe handling.

– Tim Salmons

Tags

1970, 20th Century Pull a fast one on, AIP, Alfred Marks, Amen Corner, American International Pictures, Amicus Productions, Anthony Newlands, A_I_P_, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Disc, Christopher Lee, Christopher Matthews, Christopher Wicking, Clifford Earl, conspiracy thriller, David Whitaker, Gordon Hessler, horror, John Coquillon, Judy Blossom, Judy Huxtable, Julian Holloway, Kenneth Benda, Kino Lorber, Kino Lorber Studio Classics, Louis M Heyward, Louis M_ Heyward, Marshall Jones, Max Rosenberg, MGM, Michael Gothard, Milton Subotsky, Nigel Lambert, Orion, Orion Pictures, Peter Cushing, Peter Elliott, Peter Sallis, Peter Saxon, review, sci-fi, science fiction, Scream and Scream Once again, The Digital Bits, The Disorientated Man, thriller, Tim Lucas, Tim Salmons, Uta Levka, Vincent Price, Warner Pathe, Yutte Stensgaard

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