Alice, Sweet Alice Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Alice, Sweet Alice" by Arrow Video impresses with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This release benefits from Arrow's comprehensive restoration process, including a 4K scan of the original camera negative at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging, alongside additional 4K scans for alternate title sections. The picture grading and restoration efforts conducted at Silver Salt Restoration in London have resulted in a visually superior experience compared to previous releases.

When examining the visual elements, the health of the palette, grading accuracy, and detail levels all stand out as particularly improved. The grain resolution is also markedly better. A direct comparison with the 88 Films version reveals the Arrow release to be notably superior; the prior version had visible inconsistencies such as a skew towards blue tones and inferior detail levels. Although there are a couple of isolated moments where the presentation could appear coarser with lesser detail levels (notably in screenshots 18 and 19), the overall transfer by Arrow maintains generally excellent clarity.

Additionally, the mono soundtrack remastered from the original optical negative at Deluxe Audio Services ensures that the audio quality supports the elevated visual standards. The alternate "Holy Terror" TV cut is integrally constructed using these restored materials and archived via tape reference materials, adding another layer of authenticity and historical value. This Blu-ray release by Arrow Video firmly stands as the definitive presentation of "Alice, Sweet Alice."

The "Alice, Sweet Alice" Blu-ray features an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track that stands on par with previous high-quality LPCM 2.0 releases. While the track is inherently narrow, as expected from a Mono recording, it provides a rich and clear audio experience. Dialogue is consistently stable and easy to follow, while the effects and score are effectively reproduced, contributing to an immersive viewing experience. However, the high end appears slightly anemic, which might be noticeable to discerning audiophiles.

Overall, despite its minor shortcomings in the high-frequency range, the DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track holds up remarkably well. It balances clarity and fullness, ensuring that both purists and casual viewers alike can appreciate the nuances of the film's sound design. The audio presentation captures the haunting atmosphere of "Alice, Sweet Alice," delivering a nostalgic yet vibrant auditory experience.ENSURE_DOUBLE_SPACE

The Blu-ray extras for "Alice, Sweet Alice" present a comprehensive and engaging array of features that delve deep into the film’s making and legacy. These include insightful interviews with the director, composer, and key actor, along with an intriguing location tour hosted by Michael Gingold. Particularly noteworthy are the uncovered deleted scenes and the alternate opening titles, which provide a deeper understanding of the film’s evolution. The supplementary material, such as the alternate version "Holy Terror", audio commentaries, and BD-ROM content of the original screenplay, add significant value, making this an indispensable edition for fans and film historians alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• First Communion: Alfred Sole Remembers Alice, Sweet Alice: An appealing interview with the director.
• Alice on My Mind: An interview with composer Stephen Lawrence.
• In the Name of the Father: An interview with actor Niles McMaster.
• Lost Childhood: The Locations of Alice, Sweet Alice: A fun location tour by Michael Gingold.
• Sweet Memories: Dante Tomaselli on Alice, Sweet Alice: Filmmaker Tomaselli discusses his cousin Alfred Sole's work.
• Deleted Scenes: Two brief sequences found during the restoration scan.
• Alternate Opening Titles: Different opening sequence.
• Original Trailer: Theatrical trailer.
• UK TV Spot: Brief television spot.
• Image Gallery: Auto Advance gallery; use the remote to peruse.
• Holy Terror: Alternate version of the film from 1981.
• Audio Commentaries: Two commentaries, including one exclusive to this release.
• Original Screenplay: Available as BD-ROM content.

Additionally:

• Insert booklet by Arrow
• Folded mini-poster

Alice, Sweet Alice, initially released under the title Communion, has long sparked discussions due to its perceived anti-Catholic bias and religious subtext. The film's narrative revolves around a series of shocking deaths and the mystery of who is responsible, which propels its narrative momentum. Like a good whodunit, it delves into themes related to guilt and penance within a Catholic framework, much like the Catholic liturgy's repeated confessions of grievous faults. This religious undercurrent suggests a complex relationship with Catholicism that makes the film an intriguing watch for those interested in exploring religiously themed horror narratives.

Alice, Sweet Alice can be appreciated not only for its exploration of Catholicism but also for its commentary on familial discord and the psychological impact of a broken marriage on children. Featuring a performance by a young Brooke Shields, the film is remembered for its iconic killer garbed in a slicker coat and translucent mask, wielding a knife. Its unorthodox themes and unsettling atmosphere make it a notable entry in the horror genre. Its ability to blend personal anguish with horrifying sequences has cemented its place as a cult classic, particularly appreciated by those who discovered it through home video releases in the 1980s.

The recent Blu-ray release of Alice, Sweet Alice by Arrow significantly enhances the film's visual quality. Sourced from the original camera negative, this release offers a marked improvement over previous editions, such as the one distributed by 88 Films, which was based on a print. The Arrow release features superior clarity and detail, making it an essential upgrade for enthusiasts and new viewers alike. For those interested in technical comparisons or screenshot analyses, reviews like Svet Atanasov’s provide valuable insights into these variances and underscore this Blu-ray's enhanced viewing experience.

Arrow's Blu-ray release of "Alice, Sweet Alice" is a meticulously crafted package that offers an exceptional viewing experience for fans of cult classics and psychological horror. The film itself, often wrongly categorized as a simple slasher, carries a sophisticated narrative closer to Hitchcock's "Psycho" than to the typical tropes of "Halloween" or "Friday the 13th." Made on a limited budget with funds raised during filming, the movie showcases a surprising level of visual and auditory coherence that belies its financial constraints.

Technically, Arrow has delivered an impressive transfer that enhances the film's look significantly. The video quality is cleaner and more refined, bringing out details that were previously obscured in older releases. Complementing this is an excellent audio track that enriches the atmospheric tension integral to the film's storytelling. In addition, Arrow hasn't skimped on supplemental material; the included extras offer valuable context and enrich the viewer's understanding of this cult icon.

As both Svet in his review of the 88 Films Blu-ray release and the back cover of this very release mention, there's a noticeable through line from Nicolas Roeg's "Don't Look Now" to "Alice, Sweet Alice," at least in some presentational aspects and some willful misdirection, if not entirely in terms of plot dynamics (which, as Arrow also states on this back cover, tend to resemble gialli pretty strongly). This is an interesting exercise in perceived sinfulness that kind of reminded me of the old Agatha Christie tale "The Moving Finger," which fans can find included on Miss Marple: Volume 1. Arrow has once again stepped up to the plate and provided fans of a cult film with a release that touts noticeably better video, along with excellent audio and a nice array of supplemental material. Recommended.