The Amityville Horror 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD release of "The Amityville Horror" by 88 Films and Vinegar Syndrome is a notable enhancement over any previous home video formats, significantly elevating the viewing experience for fans and newcomers alike. This two-disc set includes a region-free UHD disc mainly focusing on the film and audio commentaries and a 1080p Blu-ray packed with extra features. The 4K presentation, sourced from the original 35mm camera negative, emerges with an outstanding degree of clarity and depth. Detail is exceptionally captured, showcasing intricate skin textures, fabric nuances, and the ominous disrepair of the infamous house. The colors are vibrant and true-to-source, with HDR enhancing everything from the gloss of sunlight on watery surfaces to the dark, embracing shadows within the home, striking a commendable balance between bright and dark scenes. The film's cinematographic essence is preserved, with the fine grain maintaining its filmic quality, and though a few instances of softness and minimal print damage are present, they hardly detract from the overall impressive visual fidelity.

This restoration brings Fred J. Koenekamp's original vision to life with remarkable precision. The HDR10 grading offers a restrained yet effective dynamic range that boosts the visual storytelling with deeper blacks, bright, clean whites, and faithful color reproduction that respects the 1970s setting without overwhelming it. Occasional graininess in some scenes does little to mar what is otherwise a meticulously improved picture quality, evidencing the careful work done on this remaster.

Overall, this release stands out for its significant improvements in sharpness, color accuracy, and contrast management. The resulting video quality offers a transparent window back to the eerie occurrences of Amityville, accentuating both the quiet dread of darker scenes and the palpable texture of the daylight ones. Despite minor imperfections inherent to its vintage origin, the 4K UHD presentation revitalizes "The Amityville Horror" with a vividness and depth that likely surpasses its original cinematic release, making it an essential addition for horror aficionados and 4K collectors alike.

The audio presentation of "The Amityville Horror" on 4K UHD Blu-ray by 88 Films offers a choice between a 5.1 DTS-HD MA and a 2.0 DTS-HD MA track, catering to varied listener preferences. The 5.1 mix, described as the "original and unaltered theatrical surround mix," enhances the viewing experience with its warmth and depth, creating a more immersive experience especially suitable for the horror genre. This mix delivers clear and dynamic dialogue, ranging from whispered fears to desperate cries for divine intervention. Additionally, the score is masterfully presented, with precise instrumentation and haunting choir elements that contribute significantly to the movie's eerie atmosphere. The lower frequencies add necessary heft, and the use of atmospherics effectively encapsulates house and weather-related sounds, further immersing the viewer in the film's setting.

The 2.0 track, while not specified if it's a fold-down from the 4.0 channels of the mag soundtrack or another source, also presents an interesting listening option with adequate clarity, albeit with less surround activity. Despite this, both tracks manage to employ sound effectively to enhance pivotal moments in the film—whether it be through strategically placed spooky voices or environmental sounds that elevate the tension. The active, widely separated surround mix in the 5.1 version showcases exceptional positioning, from screen to speaker, enriching the movie's ominous ambiance with well-integrated effects that fill the room, though it's noted that the low-end support could be considered lacking by today's standards.

Enhancing its predecessors, this audio upgrade offers an improved sense of engagement with cleaner mid-ranges and well-executed ambient effects, such as strategically echoed dialogue that enhances the narrative's chilling impact. The dialogue remains prioritized and intelligible throughout, ensuring that the story's narrative pulse is never lost amid its sonic landscape. Although the rears are not constantly active, their selective usage for ambient effects contributes effectively to the film's spooky ambiance. This thoughtful audio treatment reaffirms "The Amityville Horror" as not only a visually but also aurally captivating restoration, providing a quality auditory experience that respects the film’s original intent while embracing modern enhancements.

This 4K UHD edition of "The Amityville Horror" impresses with its extensive array of extras, brilliantly merging legacy features with fresh material to provide a comprehensive look at the film's lore and legacy. Notably, the inclusion of three distinct soundtrack options – a 'remix' 5.1 track, a highly anticipated 2.0 dual mono track exclusive to this release, and the original cinematic 4.1 mix – ensures an auditory experience tailored to both purists and those seeking a modern surround sound landscape. The technical presentation of these tracks is highly praised for maintaining clarity and balance across dialogues, effects, and music, with the 4.1 mix standing out as particularly effective for its organic blend of depth and directionality. This release, reviewed on a high-end home theater setup, showcases how proper aural restoration can significantly enhance the viewing experience, offering an array of choices that cater to diverse preferences without compromising on quality.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Dr. Hans Holzer: Insightful commentary from the parapsychologist and author.
• My Amityville Diaries: A new short documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast & crew.
• Brolin Thunder: A 2017 interview with actor James Brolin reflecting on his acting career and involvement in The Amityville Horror.
• Child's Play: Actor Meeno Peluce discusses his experiences working on the film as a child actor.
• Amityville Scribe: An interview with screenwriter Sandor Stern about adapting the story for the screen.
• The Devil in the Music: Composer Lalo Schifrin shares insights into his musical themes for the film.
• For God's Sake, Get Out: An archival making-of documentary.
• Haunted Melodies: A follow-up interview with Lalo Schifrin discussing his musical career and contributions to the film.
• Introduction by Dr. Hans Holzer: A brief introduction to the extras.
• Trailers: Includes the original theatrical trailer, one TV spot, and seven radio spots.
• Still Gallery: A collection of poster art, publicity shots, and film stills.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Amityville Horror" offers a penetrating glance into what is arguably one of the late 1970s most intriguing horror phenomena, woven from the fabric of supposedly real-life paranormal events that seized public consciousness. Under the direction of Stuart Rosenberg, a filmmaker with undeniable skill (noted for "Cool Hand Luke"), and backed by a cast embodying bona fide acting prowess—James Brolin and Margot Kidder—coupled with legends like Rod Steiger and Murray Hamilton, the film transcends its genre clichés to explore deeply atmospheric chills. This embodiment exceeds the sum of its parts, supported by a haunting score from Lalo Schifrin and masterful cinematography from Fred Koemekamp, both of which amplify the film’s oppressive atmosphere, setting it apart from its contemporary peers.

Despite criticisms over its pace and perceived lack of consistent scares, "The Amityville Horror" capitalizes on a gradual buildup of tension, focusing on the psychological unraveling of its main characters amid increasingly sinister events. This slow burn allows for an exploration of themes like religious belief systems, confronting modernity's skepticism with traditional Christian motifs, underscored by a nuanced narrative that interrogates the eerie threshold between reality and legend. The film's financial success and its sustaining legacy—further substantiated by robust Blu-ray reviews—attest to its resonance with audiences, fascinated by the confluence of true crime and supernatural horror.

However, reflecting on its transition to 4K UHD, it's apparent that the movie's impact on the horror genre is both monumental and yet, by some accounts, diminished over time. Its portrayal of haunted domesticity, while innovative, now vies with contemporary tastes shaped by advanced storytelling and special effects. Yet, in this format, "The Amityville Horror" asserts its stature through enhanced visuals and audio that reinvigorate its eerie ambiance for modern viewers. The unyielding attention to detail in this release ensures that George and Kathy Lutz's ordeal remains a compelling study of fear, underpinned by performances that oscillate between haunting subtlety and dramatic descent. While some aspects may seem dated or derivative to the seasoned horror aficionado, the film's foundational place in the pantheon of horror cinema is indisputable, offering new layers of dread in an age where its once-groundbreaking effects have evolved into genre staples.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Amityville Horror" by 88 Films, poised for launch on Monday, 18th March 2024, revisits the iconic yet often underestimated haunted house narrative that entertained 1979's audiences. Despite lacking the notorious villain or memorable set pieces akin to its 70s horror film contemporaries such as "The Exorcist" or "The Shining," Stuart Rosenberg's creation offers immersive atmospheric horror, leveraging mood and a unique plausibility to engage its viewers. This latest release not only improves upon the previous Vinegar Syndrome edition with a stunning 4K HDR10 presentation but also augments the experience with superior original audio tracks and enriching audio commentaries, making it an enticing proposition for both long-standing enthusiasts and new fans alike.

While "The Amityville Horror" primarily draws from a subtle brand of scare, primarily through the gradual unraveling of its characters in response to the malevolent spirit of the house, this aspect coupled with moments of operatic overacting - notably from Rod Steiger - lends itself to a mixed reception. Viewers expecting a relentless barrage of horror may find the journey through Amityville's haunted walls somewhat wanting. Nonetheless, the film's legacy persists, evidenced by its sustained recognition and upcoming sequels, proving its cultural impact despite criticisms of its scare tactics and narrative depth. The release demonstrates a meticulous effort to preserve and enhance the film's original essence through technological advancements in home video viewing, albeit with a noted preference for fan-centric extras over a more diverse analytical exploration.

Conclusively, this 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Amityville Horror" is a testament to the film's enduring legacy within the horror genre, providing an unparalleled home video experience that marries nostalgia with contemporary visual and auditory clarity. Whether it's the film's suggestive allegorical layers or its quintessential haunted house thrills that draw you in, this upgrade from Vinegar Syndrome offers a definitive viewing experience. While it might not revolutionize perceptions of the film’s inherent narrative and scare elements, it certainly reinstates "The Amityville Horror" as a noteworthy piece in the pantheon of horror classics, deserving of its place alongside revered titles from the golden era of horror cinema.