The Plague of the Zombies Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory's Blu-ray presentation of "The Plague of the Zombies" offers a solid visual experience, making use of the same AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) initially released by Studio Canal in 2012. The restoration is commendable, providing a smooth, clean viewing experience largely free of damage and debris. Colors are robust, skillfully handling blood reds to enhance the macabre atmosphere, while the greenish undead make-up is appropriately decayed. Skin tones remain natural throughout, and costume detail is intact, featuring bright hues that effectively set the period ambiance. Facial textures and clothing exhibit decent detail, with delineation remaining satisfactory.

Grain structure is consistently sturdy, with only minor instances of fluctuation, and other age-related artifacts such as dirt and speckling are minimal. Given the condition of the original elements, this transfer likely represents the best version available without a 4K upgrade. The presentation boasts an organic look devoid of post-production tampering, maximizing the inherent depth and detail through a healthy layer of grain. The black levels are well-handled, with deep blacks that maintain detail without crushing, particularly in cavern scenes.

Colors are well-rendered, taking on a rustic and bold approach. Reds, browns, and blues are well-saturated, maintaining a suitable balance whether highlighting blood, wood accents, or upholstery. Flesh tones are natural and consistent, showing impressive detail in faces, including sweat, dried blood, wrinkles, makeup, and even some pores. While generally clean, some late scenes with heavy smoke do exhibit minor noise. Overall, this Blu-ray transfer by Shout Factory offers a faithful and engaging visual presentation for "The Plague of the Zombies," preserving its classic cinematic appeal.

The newly restored audio mix for "The Plague of the Zombies," presented in English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD Master Audio, offers a commendable listening experience. Despite the source material's age, the audio restoration is impressive, delivering a clean and precise track with only minimal background hiss detectable from its analog origins. The dynamics, while naturally constrained by the mono format's limitations, are well-handled with evenly balanced sound levels. There’s notable fidelity in dialogue reproduction, with clear and crisp vocals that show no signs of distortion or problematic echoes.

Listeners will appreciate the attention to detail, from the defined handling of English accents and black magic chants to the precise and forceful presentation of James Bernard’s score, especially during intense zombie attack sequences. The sound mix captures the essence of the film's eerie atmosphere, effectively balancing Foley effects and delivering strong, clear audio that enhances the chilling narrative.

Overall, this release stands out in its genre. As highlighted by the comparison to previous Hammer horror film releases and other editions, this newly restored track for "The Plague of the Zombies" sets a high standard. The mix showcases a delicate blend of vintage charm with modern restoration clarity, making it arguably one of the best-sounding Hammer Horror tracks available on home video.

The extras for the Blu-ray release of "The Plague of the Zombies" bring a comprehensive and dynamic look at this horror classic. Notable features include two newly recorded commentary tracks: one by filmmaker Constantine Nasr paired with film historian Steve Haberman, offering an in-depth discussion on the film's production, and another by author/historian Troy Howarth, providing detailed historical context. The disc also includes "The World of Hammer," a nostalgic episode narrated by Oliver Reed that explores mummies, werewolves, and the living dead in Hammer's filmography. "Raising the Dead" is an extensive making-of featurette with interviews from key actors and film historians. Additionally, viewers can enjoy a restoration comparison and a collection of theatrical trailers. The still gallery presents rare behind-the-scenes photos, international posters, and more.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Audio Commentary: With filmmaker Constantine Nasr and author/film historian Steve Haberman.
• NEW Audio Commentary: With author/film historian Troy Howarth.
• NEW Restored Audio: Enhanced sound experience.
• World of Hammer – Mummies, Werewolves & The Living Dead: Classic episode narrated by Oliver Reed.
• Raising the Dead: The Making of The Plague of the Zombies: Featurette including interviews and analysis.
• Restoration Comparison: Split-screen evidence of the clean-up effort.
• Theatrical Trailers: Original trailers in high definition.

"The Plague of the Zombies" (1966) from Hammer Films is an iconic and influential entry into the zombie genre, preceding George A. Romero's revolutionary work. Set in a remote 19th-century Cornish village plagued by mysterious deaths, the film follows Dr. Peter Thompson (Brook Williams) and his mentor Sir James Forbes (Andre Morell) as they investigate the inexplicable disappearance of corpses from their coffins and uncover a chilling world of black magic and undead minions. The narrative flows smoothly, much more tightly coordinated compared to John Gilling's earlier works, ensuring engaging storytelling rich with Gothic flair and atmospheric tension.

This pivotal Hammer horror classic combines traditional elements—such as delightfully cheesy makeup, period-accurate costumes, and atmospheric set designs—with groundbreaking contributions from Hammer regulars like composer James Bernard and cinematographer Arthur Grant. Key performances from Andre Morell, John Carson, and Diane Clare complement the film's macabre ambiance. Known for its campy moments and effective use of mood, the film remains enjoyable despite the technological advancements in makeup and special effects seen in more modern interpretations of the genre. The intelligent pacing, with zombies appearing well into the second act, allows the narrative to build suspense effectively before culminating in memorable sequences such as the graveyard nightmare.

The film is an essential installment in the Hammer Horror catalog, enriching the genre with its mix of horror, black magic, and slumberous undead. "The Plague of the Zombies" not only stands out for its impressive restoration work on Blu-ray, offering enhanced clarity and color that brings out the full detail of its period settings and makeup artistry but also remains a seminal piece for fans exploring classic horror cinema. Its unique approach—blending traditional zombie mythology with black magic—ensures it strikes a balance between nostalgia and innovation in the horror subgenre.

"The Plague of the Zombies" stands as a notable entry in the Hammer Horror canon, exemplifying the studio's signature approach to period horror with an adept blend of atmosphere and traditionally eerie make-up effects. Directed by John Gilling and written by Peter Bryan, the film features commendable performances by a dedicated cast, including André Morell, Diane Clare, and Jacqueline Pearce. The newly released Blu-ray by Scream Factory mirrors the impressive quality of the original Studio Canal release, offering an admirable 1.66:1 AVC encoded image and a well-preserved DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono audio track. English subtitles for the hearing impaired ensure accessibility.

The narrative of "The Plague of the Zombies" develops with Hammer’s characteristic slow-burn pacing, interspersed with bursts of unnerving imagery and grim events. This formula successfully leverages suspense and delivers genuine chills, cementing its status as a seminal work in the zombie genre. Despite operating within low-budget constraints, Gilling’s direction manages to craft an engaging horror experience that remains compelling from start to finish. Scream Factory enhances the appeal with a comprehensive set of special features including two new commentaries, a still gallery, and an episode from "The World of Hammer."

In conclusion, "The Plague of the Zombies" is an entertaining addition to the realm of period-piece zombie films. Its availability on Blu-ray in the U.S. marks an essential upgrade for fans and collectors, presenting a meticulously restored audiovisual experience. This release also underscores the ongoing relevance and appreciation of Hammer Horror films. For aficionados of the genre and newcomers alike, this release is highly recommended as both a nostalgic journey and a historical piece in horror cinema.