The House by the Cemetery Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, The House by the Cemetery arrives on Blu-ray via an impressive new 4K restoration by Blue Underground. This 1080p transfer represents a substantial upgrade from previous releases. The visuals exhibit significantly healthier textures, with vastly superior delineation evident in close-ups, panoramic shots, and darker scenes. The grain is better resolved, resulting in improved density and eliminating the sporadic flatness seen in older masters. The new presentation showcases a much-expanded color scheme, offering a broader range of nuances that enhance the overall viewing experience.

The sharpness and texture fidelity from this 4K scan from the camera negative are stunning, capturing minute facial details such as sweat beads and blood splatters with absolute precision. This extends to exterior scenes where every tree and roof shingle is distinctly rendered, maintaining clarity even at a distance. While there are occasional stutters in grain reproduction and minor chroma noise, these are infrequent and do not detract from the filmic integrity of the presentation. The elevated contrasts may sometimes appear brighter than expected, introducing additional grain in shadow areas, yet this is typical of the period's lower budget cinema.

Overall, the new transfer mitigates past issues such as problematic blooming of bright whites, achieving better contrast and image quality. Blood effects, including the infamous Bat Attack scene, are presented in all their gory detail, making this transfer a gorehound's delight. Film grain is stable and contributes to a pleasingly film-like appearance. Image stability is exceptional with no distracting artifacts such as debris, damage marks, or warping. This Region-Free Blu-ray release ensures accessibility to fans worldwide, marking a near-flawless upgrade for this cult classic.

The Blu-ray release of "The House by the Cemetery" offers an impressive selection of audio tracks, comprising English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. Notably, the inclusion of the 5.1 track marks a significant enhancement over previous editions, which lacked this feature. This newly introduced 5.1 mix is particularly well executed, providing a balanced and engaging auditory experience without resorting to artificial sound effects. The electronic scores and mid-range sounds notably benefit from this mix, achieving a fuller and more satisfying resonance.

The three provided audio options are all commendable. The English DTS-HD MA 5.1 track stands out for creating a spatially dynamic environment, ensuring that even the upper register and mild low-end frequencies are resolved effectively. Despite the inherent limitations of the original dubbing process, which sometimes results in echoic vocal quality and harsh sound effects, the remastering effort shines through in delivering an enhanced and authentic audio atmosphere. Equally noteworthy is the Mono track, which remains faithful to the original auditory experience while presenting a newly minted quality that does not shy away from the gory sound effects pivotal to the film's ambiance.

Overall, Blue Underground has excelled in providing both traditional and modern auditory experiences for this classic film. Each of the audio tracks has been meticulously crafted to yield a rewarding listening experience for both purists and fans of enhanced surround sound systems. The subtitles, including optional English SDH, French, Spanish, and English for the Italian audio, are thoughtfully integrated within the image frame, ensuring an inclusive viewing experience for all audiences.

The Blu-ray release of "The House by the Cemetery" excels in its richly packed supplemental features. This collection is meticulous and exhaustive, covering diverse aspects of the film's production and legacy, emphasizing both vintage and contemporary perspectives. The first disc provides a compelling commentary by Troy Howarth, unveiling intricate details about the film's poetic style and production nuances. Additionally, it includes a unique deleted scene and promotional materials. The second disc stands out with a series of insightful interviews with key cast members and crew, such as Catriona MacColl, Paolo Malco, and Carlo De Mejo, among others, offering a deep dive into their experiences and Lucio Fulci's directorial style. The package is rounded out with a separate CD featuring the original soundtrack and an illustrated booklet with an essay by Michael Gingold, enriching the overall experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Troy Howarth: Exclusive insights into the film's production and style.
• Deleted Scene – Bat Attack Aftermath: Short deleted sequence, no sound.
• Trailers: Includes the international and U.S. trailers.
• TV Spot: Vintage TV spot for the film.
• Promotional Materials: Galleries of vintage promotional items from around the world.
• Meet the Boyles: Interview program with stars Catriona McColl and Paolo Malco.
• Children of the Night: Stars Giovanni Frezza and Silvia Collatina discuss their roles.
• Tales of Laura Gittleson: Interview with star Dagmar Lassander.
• My Time with Terror: Discussion with Carlo De Mejo on his career and involvement.
• A Haunted House Story: Co-writers discuss the film’s conception and themes.
• To Build a Better Death Trap: Detailed insights from key crew members on the film’s visual style.
• House Quake: Interview with co-writer Giorgio Mariuzzo.
• Catriona MacColl Q&A (2014): Archival Q&A session from Spaghetti Cinema Festival.
• Calling Dr. Freudstein: Insight from Stephen Thrower on the film’s place in Fulci’s work.

Lucio Fulci's The House by the Cemetery (1981) is a quintessential example of the director's ability to blend atmosphere with visceral horror. The film centers on Norman Boyle (Paolo Malco) and his wife Lucy (Catriona MacColl), as they relocate to an eerie house in New England with their son Bob (Giovanni Frezza). The family's new home is an unsettling mirror image of an old photograph, setting the stage for a cascade of supernatural occurrences. The house hides grim secrets, such as an ominous tombstone in the living room and the cellar of gruesome horrors, leading to a pervasive sense of dread that counters the thinly sketched characters.

The film can be divided into two distinct halves. The initial segment attempts coherence, focusing on atmosphere and incorporating familiar genre techniques, creating a Gothic horror vibe. However, the film plunges into Fulci's trademark bizarro world in the latter half, where surreal horror and kitschy elements dominate without overwhelming. Fulci's restraint keeps even the most explicit scenes from becoming excessively disturbing, balancing brutality with storytelling. The ceaseless audio effects intricately woven through scenes enhance the movie's eerie essence, outshining the narrative action at times.

Technically, the film benefits from Sergio Salvati’s commendable cinematography, particularly in scenes set in the house's basement. His masterful use of light and shadow amplifies the film’s atmospheric tension. Massimo Lentini's costume and mask designs are exemplary, especially Dr. Freudstein’s mask, which holds up well under Blu-ray's high resolution, revealing meticulous craftsmanship. Despite the outdated dubbing and some clichéd haunted house elements, The House by the Cemetery remains a compelling watch due to its inventive horror sequences and ambiguous narrative layers that invite varied interpretations. This blend of gore, atmosphere, and mystery ensures its place as a cult classic despite its narrative flaws.

Blue Underground has excelled in bringing Lucio Fulci's "The House by the Cemetery" to life on Blu-ray, delivering a blend of haunted house horror, psychological terror, and gory zombie cinema. The film, recognized for its visceral gore effects and dramatic under-dubbed actors, might not make perfect narrative sense, but it offers an unforgettable Italian horror experience. This release includes a fresh 4K restoration, ensuring that the film’s visual and audio presentation is at its finest, markedly improving upon the old 2011 release.

The Blu-ray package is impressive, packed with substantial supplemental features that complement the film nicely. It includes the original soundtrack on a separate CD and lavish booklets that augment both the viewing and collecting experience. This level of detail highlights Blue Underground's commitment to producing definitive packages for genre fans and collectors. The bonus materials give valuable insights into Fulci's unique style, enhancing viewers' appreciation for this cult classic.

Younger collectors may not grasp how far the industry has progressed from the LD and VHS eras. Blu-ray's arrival heralded a revolution in quality, prompting major upgrades. Now, with boutique labels investing in 4K remasters, owning pristine versions of your favorite films is a reality. Blue Underground's releases are exemplary; they combine superior technical presentations, exhaustive bonus features, and meticulous attention to historical authenticity. This three-disc set of "The House by the Cemetery" is no exception and meets all expectations. If you enjoy Lucio Fulci's work, this set is a must-have. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.