The Deadly Mantis Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "The Deadly Mantis" by Scream Factory, featuring a new 2K scan from the original film elements, demonstrates a marked improvement over previous editions. Maintaining the film’s original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, it showcases vivid clarity and sharpness. The presentation offers a highly detailed image with robust attention to facial features, costumes, and set design. The grain structure remains stable, providing an authentic film-like appearance, though uneven levels do appear during hazy or foggy scenes, leading to mild degradation in such instances. Depth is impressively conveyed, enhancing the viewing experience.

Stock footage inserts, a recurring component in 1950s monster movies, show varied conditions with noticeable wear such as speckling, scratches, and hair, yet these artifacts generally do not detract from the overall enhanced quality of the transfer. Grayscale maintenance is competent with effective delineation, although it occasionally flattens before reaching true black or pure white. Whites are calm and blacks largely avoid crushing. The black levels remain deep and exhibit satisfactory saturation.

This release utilizes AVC encoding at 1080p resolution on a BD-50 disc, securing a high bit rate to handle the prevalent grain and delivering a consistent image. The definition in close-ups of the mantis model underscores the detailed craftsmanship and special effects that characterize the film. Overall, the video quality of "The Deadly Mantis" is handled competently by Scream Factory, ensuring that both enthusiasts and new viewers can appreciate its vintage splendor in high-definition.

The audio presentation of "The Deadly Mantis" on Blu-ray is delivered via a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track, staying true to the film's original mono mix. The dialogue is largely clean and crisp, though some minor shifts in volume are noticeable, and there is an occasional analog hiss that adds a vintage texture. The score, composed by Irving Gertz, William Lava, and including stock music by Henry Mancini, integrates seamlessly with clear fidelity, manifesting great ambiance and resonance. While a brief dropout is detectable around the 38-minute mark, it hardly distracts from the overall auditory experience.

Action sequences are marked by the distinct sound effects of the titular bug – a blend of bee-like buzzing, canned monster roars, pig grunts, jet engine roars, and missile shrieks – creating an engaging soundscape. Combat scenes and monster movements carry weight and clarity, with well-rendered dynamics that provide depth. Though the film's audio mix remains fairly straightforward without excessive spatial effects, the scoring lends a robust overlay that complements the horror and military action scenes effectively. Minimal hiss, static, and popping are present, ensuring pristine dialogue and clean sound effects throughout.

Overall, while not wildly dynamic, this audio track offers a solid and satisfying listening experience that enhances "The Deadly Mantis". The sound design vividly captures the era's audio charm, making it a worthy upgrade over previous home video editions.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Deadly Mantis" offer a well-curated selection that enriches the viewing experience. Notably, the audio commentary by film historians Tom Weaver and David Schecter provides in-depth insights and engaging trivia about the production and Universal International. The inclusion of the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" episode, a fan-favorite, ensures plenty of humor, making it the highlight of the extras. Complementing these are a still gallery that showcases an extensive collection of production stills, advertising materials, and conceptual art by Ken Sawyer, and the original theatrical trailer. These features provide a comprehensive look into the movie’s historical context and production.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Tom Weaver and David Schecter offer extensive insights and trivia.
• Mystery Science Theater 3000 Episode: Classic episode featuring "The Deadly Mantis."
• Still Gallery: A collection of production stills, poster art, and lobby cards.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material.

"The Deadly Mantis" exemplifies the charming yet dated hallmarks of 1950s monster cinema, leveraging post-WWII anxieties and the burgeoning fascination with science to present a narrative involving a giant prehistoric mantis released from Arctic ice. The film's plot follows paleontologist Dr. Nedrick Jackson (William Hopper), his assistant Marge Blaine (Alix Talton), and military personnel as they attempt to thwart the creature's southward rampage. Initial acts are devoted to building anticipation through methodical military procedures, only gradually revealing the monster. Stock footage dominates, with copious World War II-era clips woven into the storyline to maintain a frugal production budget. The use of stock footage could be distracting but is often part of the film's nostalgic charm.

Special effects, particularly the monster itself, utilize impressive rod puppetry and miniatures to animate the mantis convincingly within their limited budget constraints. The integration of new footage with stock clips is seamless at times, enhancing the 1950s-era realistic feel. Despite its modest production values, the mantis' threat is underscored by an evocative score and effective sound design, particularly the creature's droning buzz, which adds to the tension. However, despite these technical strengths, "The Deadly Mantis" occasionally falters with expository sequences that slow down the narrative, diluting moments of potential excitement.

The performances by Craig Stevens, William Hopper, and Alix Talton are solid, though constrained by a script heavy on procedural dialogue and light on character development. The film's climax in New York City is noteworthy for its atmospheric tension and well-executed use of special effects in a smoky tunnel setpiece. While not as acclaimed as other monster films of its era like "Them!" (1954), "The Deadly Mantis" holds a special cult appeal for its blend of kitsch, competent craftsmanship, and nostalgic resonance. Enhancing the Blu-ray experience is the inclusion of a "Mystery Science Theater 3000" episode featuring the film, which provides a humorous retrospective take on this classic creature feature.

"The Deadly Mantis" Blu-ray, released by Scream Factory, successfully revitalizes this 1950s B-movie gem, providing a nostalgic journey for fans of the giant monster genre. While the movie's primary appeal lies in its campy special effects and endearing schlock, the new 2K video transfer elevates the viewing experience significantly. The visual presentation is sharp and clear, effortlessly bringing out the period-specific details, despite extensive use of stock footage. Additionally, the English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono audio track, though not groundbreaking, maintains the film’s vintage charm and authenticity.

The narrative of "The Deadly Mantis" finds its stride after the midway point, seamlessly blending disaster sequences with character-driven moments. While the suspense builds slowly, the payoff with primitive yet delightful special effects is worth the wait. The inclusion of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode adds substantial comedic value, offering a fresh perspective that both honors and parodies the original material. Moreover, the informative commentary compensates for the lack of interviews or a documentary, providing context and enriching the viewer’s understanding of the film's production and legacy.

For aficionados of 1950s sci-fi and horror films, this Blu-ray edition represents an essential addition to their collection. While it may not win any mainstream accolades, "The Deadly Mantis" holds a special place in cult cinema with its whimsical storytelling and nostalgic allure. The supplementary features—the MST3K episode, new commentary, and strong A/V enhancements—justify an upgrade from previous DVD versions. Scream Factory’s dedication to preserving and celebrating such classic fare deserves commendation for their thorough and high-quality presentation.

In conclusion, "The Deadly Mantis" is an exemplary slice of 1950s monster movie cheese. Fans who revel in the genre's quirks will undoubtedly appreciate this well-executed Blu-ray release. Despite some audio limitations, the strong visual transfer and robust extras make this a very solid watch and a worthwhile addition to any cult film collection.

Technical Specifications:

Starring: Craig Stevens, William Hopper, Alix Talton, Phil Harvey, Donald Randolph, Pat Conway, Florenz Ames, Paul Smith, Helen Jay, Paul Campbell, Floyd Simmons
Directed by: Nathan Juran
Written by: Martin Berkeley, William Alland
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 AVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English SDH
Studio: Scream Factory
Rated: NR
Runtime: 79 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: March 19th, 2019

Recommendation: Very Solid Watch