She Beast Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "She Beast" achieves an impressive level of quality for a film of its age and vintage. Presented in an AVC encoded 1080p HD transfer with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the detail is particularly notable, especially in close-ups that bring out the gooey and gory makeup of the witch. This attention to detail extends to individual hairs and facial textures, capturing every age mark, wrinkle, and boil distinctly. Colors are well-saturated with primaries offering vibrancy and dimension, making bold hues like blood reds and automobile yellows visually striking. Skintones are rendered appropriately, albeit under heavy make-up.

Wider shots maintain a decent level of detail, though there can be a slight softness at times. Black levels are deep and inky, contributing greatly to the overall image fidelity, while the film's somewhat cold color palette adds to its atmospheric quality. The source material is in fine shape, with limited speckling and only mild instances of judder and debris. Overall, this Blu-ray release offers a commendable video presentation, bringing forth the visual aspects of "She Beast" with sharpness, clarity, and vibrant color reproduction.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio presentation for the Blu-ray release of "She Beast" leaves much to be desired. The sound mix is notably deficient, requiring significant volume adjustments just to make the dialogue and sound effects discernible. When a comfortable listening level is finally achieved, the track is marred by pervasive hiss and frequent popping. The dialogue, which is dubbed and lacks crispness, contributes to muddy lows, making it difficult to follow conversations effectively.

Furthermore, the music score and dramatic sound effects are poorly represented, lacking the precision and impact expected from a high-definition master audio track. The most dramatic elements fail to make a significant impression due to their subdued nature. Additionally, brief audio hiccups, likely indicating missing frames, disrupt the listening experience. Despite its professional packaging claims, this release is limited to an English audio track, with no Italian option available, further detracting from its value. Overall, this audio presentation misses the mark on several technical fronts.

The Extras section of the Blu Ray for "She Beast" provides a thoughtful and engaging look into the film and its context, though it could benefit from more variety. The included booklet, six pages long, features an insightful essay by Nocturno, offering valuable perspectives on the film. "A Bloody Journey to Italy," an audio interview with Barbara Steele lasting approximately 28-29 minutes in HD, delves into her career struggles, particularly in Hollywood, before she found her niche in Italian horror. Despite her vivid recounts of working with directors like Mario Bava, she surprisingly omits discussion of "She Beast" itself. Notable is the absence of a theatrical trailer or the audio commentary that was featured in previous DVD releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Booklet: Contains an essay credited to Nocturno.
• A Bloody Journey to Italy: Audio interview with Barbara Steele discussing her career and experiences in Italian cinema.

"Revenge of the Blood Beast," also known as "The She Beast," directed by Michael Reeves in 1966, is an intriguing amalgamation of horror and broad comedy that tries to balance macabre details and slapstick humor. Reeves manages to pack the film with gruesome encounters and demonic scenes that reflect his brilliance in staging violent, horror-packed sequences, embellished with practical makeup effects. However, these horror elements are counterbalanced by ludicrous slapstick gags, including a Keystone Cops-inspired finale that adds an unexpected comic touch to the witch-centric narrative.

The story follows newlyweds Philip (Ian Ogilvy) and Veronica (Barbara Steele) during their honeymoon in Transylvania. After an unsettling stay with the perverted Groper (Mel Welles), their car crashes into a lake cursed by the spirit of Vardella, a witch executed centuries ago. Vardella's spirit possesses Veronica, prompting Philip to seek the help of Von Helsing (John Karlsen), a local who delves into supernatural happenings. The narrative then meanders through various clashes and comedic moments that occasionally muddle the central plot but maintain interest with periodic bursts of violence and horror.

Despite some narrative lapses and the comical, often cheesy execution of special effects and dialogue, "Revenge of the Blood Beast" provides an engaging glimpse into the 1960s horror-comedy genre. The mixture of crude humor and decently executed horror scenes makes this film a unique, if not quite polished, venture. While it may lack the perfection or stylishness expected today, the film's amusing dynamics and grotesque supernatural elements offer an entertaining experience for viewers with a taste for vintage horror-comedy mashups.

The Blu-ray release of "She Beast," also known as "Revenge of the Blood Beast," provides an intriguing look into the 1960s low-budget horror-comedy genre. The video presentation stands out, considering the film's age, offering viewers a visually nostalgic experience that maintains a degree of clarity and detail not always expected in older films. While the picture quality has been competently handled, the audio presentation does falter somewhat, not living up to contemporary standards which might be a downside for audiophiles or home theater enthusiasts.

The story itself, though occasionally meandering and tonally inconsistent, offers a decent narrative laced with both horror and comedy elements. The final act takes an unexpected turn with a cartoonish car chase involving bumbling cops, marking a stark contrast from the preceding horror-driven scenes. Despite this tonal shift and some awkward moments, the film remains engaging, especially for those who appreciate vintage cinema quirks and a glimpse into past filmmaking techniques.

Barbara Steele’s performance is a highlight, bringing class and charisma to the film despite its evident budget constraints. Her presence and innate glamour provide a valuable anchor to a B-movie otherwise marred by uneven pacing and an unsettling focus on sexual violence. The release includes an audio interview with Steele, enriching the Blu-ray package by offering additional context and insight into the film's production.

As previously mentioned, "Revenge of the Blood Beast" goes crazy in its final act, delivering a car chase that's pure cartoon, complete with bumbling cops. It's a severe tonal change for the picture (which runs only 79 minutes) to make, and it doesn't exactly know what to do with its new direction, with Reeves trying to steer things back to horror in the film's final moments. As awkward as the inclusion of comedy is, "Revenge of the Blood Beast" isn't destroyed by the iffy idea, instead claiming such nonsense as another reason to sit through its occasionally plodding delivery and uncomfortable concentration on sexual violence. And for Steele fans, the actress receives a few moments to shine, using her innate glamour to class up a B-movie where most of the budget was clearly spent on building a wooden witch-drowning machine, not on screenwriting.