Scared Stiff Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Scared Stiff" by Arrow Video offers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, showcasing a comprehensive restoration effort. The film was meticulously scanned from a 35mm interpositive element in 2K resolution using a Lasergraphics Director at EFilm, Burbank. This was followed by grading on Digital Vision's Nucoda Film Master and final restoration at R3Store Studios in London. The mono audio track was remastered from the original mag reels by Deluxe Audio Services, ensuring an authentic audio experience.

The transfer marks a significant upgrade over previous home video releases, which were notably subpar. The restored version has effectively eliminated major signs of age-related wear and damage, although viewers may still notice minor imperfections like speckling and occasional white flecks. The film's density is consistently good, albeit with some variances, and the color palette generally appears slightly warm, leading to slightly pinkish flesh tones in brighter scenes. However, the practical effects are well-preserved, and detail levels remain impressive throughout.

While the restoration is largely successful in maintaining the film's visual integrity, there are sporadic instances where the grain field becomes heavy, occasionally resulting in minor pixelation or a yellowish hue. Despite these minor issues, the grain typically resolves naturally, ensuring that the texture remains authentic to the original film. Overall, this Blu-ray presentation of "Scared Stiff" provides a vivid and detailed viewing experience that enhances the film beyond its original deteriorated formats.

The audio presentation of the "Scared Stiff" Blu-ray boasts a well-executed LPCM Mono track, which adeptly conveys the film's humorous and quirky dialogue with impeccable clarity. The delivery is consistently strong, ensuring that every line rings true to the comedic essence of the film. The soundtrack, composed by The Barber Brothers, is prominently featured and well-supported by this mix, enhancing the overall ambiance and tonal quality of the movie. Ambient environmental effects, particularly in outdoor scenes, are rendered effectively, adding a layer of realism and depth to the film’s setting.

Throughout the Blu-ray, the fidelity of the LPCM Mono track remains solid without any noticeable issues, making for a thoroughly enjoyable auditory experience. The audio maintains coherence across various scenes, providing both consistency and integrity to the original 1950s sound design. This technical execution ensures that viewers can fully appreciate the nostalgic charm of "Scared Stiff" while experiencing an unblemished and dynamic sonic landscape. Overall, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray release is both technically sound and artistically enriching.

The Blu Ray extras for "Scared Stiff" are nothing short of impressive, delivering an exceptional array of bonus content that both fans and film historians will find invaluable. A standout feature is the comprehensive retrospective documentary, "Mansion of the Doomed," which delves deeply into the film's production through engaging and often humorous interviews, providing a well-rounded understanding of its creation. The interview with composer Billy Barber adds another layer of appreciation for the film’s score. Visual materials such as the image gallery and original theatrical trailer contribute further context and nostalgia. The inclusion of an informative audio commentary with director Richard Friedman, producer Don Bacaner, and moderator Robert Ehlinger offers insightful perspectives that elevate the viewing experience. Arrow has thoughtfully included a nicely curated insert booklet, enhancing this well-rounded package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Mansion of the Doomed: The Making of Scared Stiff.
• Interview with Composer Billy Barber.
• Image Gallery: Collection of movie stills.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The initial movie preview.
• Audio Commentary: Insights from Richard Friedman, Don Bacaner, and Robert Ehlinger.

"Scared Stiff" is an underappreciated horror flick from the late 1980s that awkwardly balances between a serious ghost story and unintended parody. The film revolves around Kate Christopher, played by Mary Page Keller, a former one-hit-wonder akin to Sheena Easton. After battling significant emotional issues, she's ready for a fresh start with her therapist-turned-lover, David Young (Andrew Stevens), and her young son Jason (Josh Segal). Moving into a Southern Gothic mansion in the fictional town of Charlesburg, they soon find the house is far from vacant, haunted by the spirits of 19th-century slave traders.

The movie awkwardly melds various horror elements, including ghost apparitions, possession dynamics, and a bemusing inclusion of menacing pigeons. Scenes dedicated to the birds often unintentionally border on comedy, detracting from the intended eeriness. The narrative doesn’t favor clarity, leaving viewers with numerous unanswered questions about the exact nature of the malevolent forces at play. What stands out is the juxtaposition of an 1857 vignette detailing horrid historical events with the contemporary struggles of Kate and her family. This backstory provides context but also adds to the fragmented storytelling.

Despite the evident ambition behind "Scared Stiff", the film lacks a cohesive execution. Dramatic intensity falters as the plot progresses, transforming what starts as eerie suspense into somewhat chaotic storytelling. The inclusion of a peculiar stone talisman found by Kate symbolizes this confusion, ostensibly acting as a key to understanding the hauntings but ending up as another puzzling plot element. The chaotic mix of past evils and present dilemmas combined with uneven horror tropes results in a film that is engaging yet fundamentally flawed.

The Blu-ray release of "Scared Stiff" is a notably well-rounded offering. The technical presentation is superb, featuring sharp picture quality that beautifully captures the film's '80s aesthetics, complete with vibrant colors and detailed textures. The audio quality is equally impressive, providing a clear and immersive experience, essential for any horror film. Arrow has included a range of supplements that significantly enhance the package, making it an engaging purchase for genre enthusiasts and collectors alike.

In addition to the strong technical aspects, the disc contains several insightful extras. The standout is an enlightening documentary that reveals the background and production intricacies of "Scared Stiff." Despite the film itself being somewhat polarizing among fans, this deep dive into its making adds substantial context and appreciation for the creative efforts behind it. The make-up effects, highlighted throughout both the film and supplemental materials, are particularly noteworthy and will certainly appeal to horror aficionados.

The putative unanswered questions alluded to above, along with a host of other illogicalities, are perhaps elided by the film's final reveal, which (maybe a minor spoiler alert) goes what might be called The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari route. The film has some unintentionally funny moments (my favorite is when a supposedly dead guy moves his eyes quite noticeably, but Keller's wild eighties hair is a close second), but the underlying plot dynamics, while rote, are interesting enough. I think the film would have worked much better if Kate's mental problems had been more overtly handled and woven into a fabric where the viewer wasn't quite certain what Kate was seeing was really happening or not (again, that final reveal tends to put a different spin on niggling critical qualms like this one). Fans of this film should certainly enjoy the technical presentation, and as usual Arrow has assembled some enjoyable supplements, for those considering a purchase.