The Burning 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Scream Factory’s 2023 Collector's Edition of "The Burning" on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray presents a highly anticipated upgrade from previous editions, elevating the classic horror to new visual heights. With a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, enhanced for Dolby Vision and HDR-10 compatible, the release showcases the film in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. This meticulous restoration eliminates numerous visual imperfections present in earlier releases, such as speckles, scratches, and color distortions, offering a pristine viewing experience. Despite the thorough restoration, certain minor blemishes and chemical decomposition artifacts persist, underscoring the challenges of film preservation. Nevertheless, the improvements in clarity, color accuracy, and overall image quality are unmistakable and provide a definitive viewing of the film.

In direct comparison with its predecessors, including the 2016 Arrow Video UK Blu-ray and Scream Factory's own 2013 edition, this version stands out both in technical specifications and visual fidelity. The UHD transfer distinctly surpasses previous versions by showcasing darker tones balanced with richer, more natural colors, alongside an impressive bitrate that enhances picture detail without compromising the film’s original grain structure. The HDR enhancement significantly contributes to the vividness of certain sequences, notably in darker scenes and those requiring nuanced color representation, ensuring that the cinematic nuances of "The Burning" are faithfully preserved.

Moreover, this release highlights the subtleties of cinematic photography, retaining the original artistic intentions despite technical variances across different media presentations. For instance, effects intentionally created using gels and filters on the camera to achieve specific visual outcomes are preserved, maintaining the directorial and cinematographic essence of the film. The overall video quality score of 4.75/5.00 underscores a near-perfect restoration effort by Scream Factory, positioning this Collector’s Edition as the definitive visual presentation of "The Burning." With an average video bitrate of 81.8 Mbps and a peak at 85.7 Mbps on a disc size of 54.8 GB for the feature, it ensures an unparalleled horror viewing experience that honors the film’s legacy while embracing the latest in home media technology advancements.

The audio presentation of "The Burning" on 4K UHD Blu Ray offers a choice between Scream's DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono mix and Arrow's LPCM one-channel mono track. The former, with its 1985 kbps at 24-bit, presents a notably superior listening experience compared to Arrow's 768 kbps, 16-bit option. While both tracks aim to preserve the film's original audio integrity, Scream’s mix has an edge in depth and clarity, particularly evident in scenes that leverage Rick Wakeman’s atmospheric score. Moments like the Devil's Creek Breakdown cue, where banjo strums and electric guitar riffs resonate, showcase the mix’s ability to bring nuanced musical details to the forefront.

Wakeman’s composition, imbued with stingers reminiscent of John Carpenter's iconic scores, elevates the horror experience, threading anxiety and anticipation through its melodious dread. However, it's notable that not all of Wakeman’s compositions found in the official soundtrack albums make their appearance in the film, and vice versa. This discrepancy highlights how certain elements were adapted or omitted to fit the movie's auditory landscape. For enthusiasts and audiophiles, these differences between soundtrack albums and the film's actual score present an area of intriguing comparison.

Furthermore, the addition of English SDH subtitles enhances viewer accessibility, offering a comprehensive transcription of the dialogue with minimal deviations. This attention to detail in both sound mix quality and subtitle accuracy ensures an immersive viewing experience. Although minor ommissions or substitutions in transcription occur, these do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment and understanding of the film. In conclusion, while both audio options have their merits, Scream’s DTS-HD MA mix stands out for its fidelity to the film’s atmospheric essence and Wakeman’s memorable score, making it the preferable choice for audiences seeking the ultimate auditory experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray extra presentation of "The Burning" meticulously compiles an impressive array of extras, predominantly sourced from Scream Factory's 2013 Collector's Edition, but curiously omits newly produced bonus materials. Noteworthy is the retention of two enriching audio commentaries on the UHD disc, with the bulk of supplements housed on an accompanying Blu-ray. These include engrossing interviews with pivotal cast and crew members, offering deep dives into the film's production and special effects wizardry, notably from make-up maestro Tom Savini and editor Jack Sholder. Additionally, unique to Arrow's release, are engaging supplements like a detailed interview with composer Rick Wakeman and an insightful audio commentary with horror aficionado Justin Kerswell. This collection, while celebrating its archival roots, somewhat misses an opportunity to refresh its offerings for longstanding & new fans alike, but nonetheless serves as a comprehensive homage to the horror classic.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary With Director Tony Maylam and Journalist Alan Jones: A detailed discussion on the making of "The Burning" featuring director Tony Maylam.
• Audio Commentary With Stars Shelley Bruce and Bonnie Deroski: Stars reflect on their experiences filming, moderated by Edwin Samuelson.
• Blood 'n' Fire Memories: An in-depth interview with special make-up effects artist Tom Savini.
• Slash & Cut: Editor Jack Sholder discusses his career and work on "The Burning".
• Cropsy Speaks: Actor Lou David talks about his role as Cropsy and his experiences on set.
• Summer Camp Nightmare: Actress Leah Ayres shares her journey from commercials to co-starring in "The Burning".
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage: Raw special effects footage from Tom Savini’s private collection.
• Theatrical Trailer: A restored original trailer for the movie.
• Make-up Effects Still Gallery: A collection of behind-the-scenes photographs showcasing make-up effects.
• Poster & Still Gallery: A compilation of promotional photos and images from the film’s press kit.
• Interview With Rick Wakeman: Exclusive to the Arrow Blu-ray, discussing his score composition for the film.
• Audio Commentary With The Hysteria Continues: An informative track by author Justin Kerswell, exclusive to the Arrow release.

The Burning" (1981), a film that initiated under the umbrella of what would become the renowned Miramax Production, represents an endeavor by Harvey Weinstein and his brother, delving into the horror genre by exploiting the eerie legend of Cropsy. The inception of this project, as detailed by columnist Dale Anderson and further elaborated through a series of behind-the-scenes accounts, reveals a complex journey from conception to screen, characterized by extensive script rewrites and a significant effort in securing funding. British filmmaker Tony Maylam played a pivotal role in directing this cult classic, which, despite eventual screenplay credits, saw a substantial contribution from Peter Lawrence as revealed in MGM's 2007 audio commentary and subsequent script analyses.

Despite its sporadic release in the United States during the spring of 1981, the film encountered mixed receptions, with its premiere and rebranding stories indicating a challenging pathway to its audience. The filmmaking process, marked by noteworthy contributions from makeup and special effects legend Tom Savini and composer Rick Wakeman, unfortunately suffered from cuts that likely diminished their intended impact. Critics' responses varied significantly, from dismissals deeming it a derivative of existing horror franchises to acknowledgments of its unique moments and technical proficiency. These accounts together paint a picture of a film that, while struggling with originality in some eyes, managed to carve a niche within the horror domain through its ambition and specific moments of creativity and surprise.

The journey of "The Burning" from its initial funding stages to its controversial reception underscores the movie's tumultuous yet fascinating production narrative. The detailed script provided insights into both the envisioned and executed aspects of the film, encapsulating the challenges faced in balancing artistic intent with the realities of film editing and audience reception. Amidst varied critical perspectives, ranging from outright denigration to appreciation for its horror elements and technical execution, "The Burning" emerges as a testament to the complexities of filmmaking during that era, reflecting both the potential for innovation within the horror genre and the obstacles inherent in bringing such a vision to fruition.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Burning" meticulously brings to light the meticulous craftsmanship involved in restoring this cult classic slasher film. Scream Factory, known for their dedication to preserving horror gems, has outdone itself by offering a version with a sharp reduction in artifacts, providing a visual clarity that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The film's ensemble, featuring early performances from actors like Jason Alexander, Ned Eisenberg, and Fisher Stevens, showcases budding talent amidst some unevenness due to the inclusion of several first-time actors. This mix adds a raw, unpredictable energy to the narrative, amplifying the horror elements in a way that contemporary audiences will appreciate.

The narrative structure and character development within "The Burning" receive thoughtful treatment, weaving together plot threads in a manner that is both surprising and cohesive. This has enriched the film's standing in the horror genre, highlighting its influence on subsequent slasher films, particularly in its narrative techniques and utilization of Tom Savini's groundbreaking makeup effects—a connection clearly observed by fans and scholars alike. The restoration process not only improves visual fidelity but also serves as a testament to the film's enduring legacy, ensuring that new generations can appreciate its nuances and genre contributions.

In conclusion, this 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Burning" stands as an essential acquisition for both devoted fans of the slasher genre and newcomers interested in the historical evolution of horror cinema. Scream Factory's commitment to quality shines through in this restoration, marrying improved visual presentation with the film's inherent raw energy and storytelling prowess. It’s a definitive edition that offers both a nostalgic trip for those familiar with the film and an eye-opening experience for new viewers, solidifying "The Burning" as a must-own title in the collection of horror aficionados.