The Barbarians Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Barbarians," courtesy of Scorpion Releasing, boasts a brand-new HD master for its AVC encoded image, framed at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Clarity is robust, revealing fine details in the fantasy costuming and diverse locations such as forests and mountains. The textural details of facial surfaces and full-body shots are meticulously captured, particularly highlighting the Paul Brothers. The color palette is vibrant, preserving the natural greenery and authentic skintones. Visits to mystical lands exhibit diverse lighting with emphasized hues, notably potent ruby reds and resplendent gold armor. The overall delineation is satisfactory, and the film grain remains fine and film-like, indicative of a well-preserved source.

The 1080p transfer masterfully renders the film's scenic locations, facial features, and costumes, bringing out particular highlights like Richard Lynch's distinctive hair. While the source elements display minor imperfections such as a few speckles and fine-hair scratches around optical effects, these do not detract significantly from the viewing experience. The colors are consistently bright and bold with exceptional primary saturation, giving prominence to reds and blues, and allowing yellows and golds to shine during scenes of the brothers' enslavement. Black levels are generally solid, providing deep inky visuals, though occasionally dipping to a more gray shade without causing significant crush issues. This transfer effectively revitalizes a VHS-era favorite, offering a commendable viewing experience for modern audiences.

The audio presentation of "The Barbarians" on Blu-ray offers a robust DTS-HD MA 2.0 track that genuinely enhances the experience. The multi-channel Dolby Stereo system, which Cannon was among the first studios to utilize, is skillfully integrated, providing remarkable imaging during action sequences. Particularly notable are the caravan raid scene and the pit fight between the brothers, both of which exhibit impressive channel spacing. Dialog, for the most part, remains clean and distinct, although dubbing results in a slightly flat texture for some Italian actors, while others maintain an organic timbre. This clarity ensures that the enthralling Pino Donaggio score resonates effectively, enriching the overall soundscape.

However, the sound mix isn't without its drawbacks. The clarity of dialogue exchanges can occasionally falter, likely due to age or inherent production limitations, leading to occasional muddiness. These issues make it challenging to capture the full intensity of violent interactions, including explosions and weapon clashes. Despite these minor setbacks, the engaging sound effects keep action sequences dynamic, and the musical scoring retains a broad synthetic position that emphasizes heroic themes with commendable instrumentation. Ultimately, while there are moments of inconsistency, the mix on this Blu-ray release provides a gratifying auditory experience that honors the film’s original audio design.

The extras on "The Barbarians" Blu-ray provide valuable insights into the film’s production and context, albeit in a limited package. The standout feature is the engaging and informative audio commentary by film historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson, where their extensive knowledge and dynamic interaction elevate the viewing experience. Despite the lack of fresh interviews or additional behind-the-scenes content, the commentary alone offers a treasure trove of information about the movie's background, cast, and production nuances.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary featuring Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson: An engaging discussion filled with production insights and film history connections.

Theatrical Trailer: Provides a nostalgic glimpse into the film's original marketing.

"The Barbarians" presents a quintessential 1980s sword-and-sorcery adventure, starring bodybuilder twin brothers Peter and David Paul. Known as the "bad boys of bodybuilding," the Paul brothers bring a unique, albeit untrained, charisma to the screen. Directed by Ruggero Deodato of the notorious "Cannibal Holocaust" fame, the film attempts to echo the success of "Conan the Barbarian" with a smaller budget. It lacks significant production polish but compensates with quirky, engaging performances and an assorted blend of action and humor. The Paul brothers lack dramatic prowess but deliver physical comedy and impressive stunts, epitomizing muscular heroism amid outlandish scenarios.

The plot centers on twin brothers Kutchek and Gore who, after a raid by the villainous Kadar (Richard Lynch), grow into formidable warriors. Following their separation and brutal training, they reunite to rescue their Queen Canary (Virginia Bryant) from Kadar’s clutches. The journey features various fantasy elements including mystical rubies, magical villains, and strange creatures, all set against a backdrop of inventive yet limited set design. Pino Donaggio's energetic synthesizer score adds to the film's playful tone.

While Deodato creates a compelling fantasy world within the constraints of a Cannon Films budget, the narrative occasionally falters with contrived plot points and underdeveloped characters. Despite these flaws, the movie remains entertaining through high-energy action sequences and unintentional comedic moments. The elaborate costuming and set pieces stand out, complemented by colorful characters and amusing dialogue. Richard Lynch shines as the dark ruler Kadar, injecting gravitas into his role regardless of his outlandish hairdos.

"The Barbarians," though hokey and reminiscent of other 80s fantasy films, delivers a thoroughly entertaining experience. It’s a chaotic blend of action, comedy, and fantasy that charms with its campiness and vivid performances, cementing its status as a cherished video store gem receiving deserved recognition on Blu-ray.

The Barbarians arrives on Blu-ray through Kino Lorber and Scorpion Releasing, reinvigorating this classic 80s action/adventure/fantasy film with a new HD transfer and solid audio mix. Directed by Ruggero Deodato, known more for his infamous cannibal films, this production distances itself with a focus on high-energy action sequences and playful chemistry between leads Peter and David Paul, the Barbarian Brothers. The film offers a visually appealing upgrade that enriches the Cannon Group's energetic and sparring cast delivering their best performances.

While lacking the budget and directorial finesse of similar genre titles like Conan the Barbarian, "The Barbarians" carves out its niche with campy and fun bodybuilder heroics. The distinctive sibling dynamic of the Paul Brothers provides a unique flair to the otherwise generic fantasy filmmaking landscape of the era. Special mention goes to standout moments such as the noose bit, which exemplify the film's blend of humor and adventure.

In conclusion, "The Barbarians" may not be the most polished piece of cinema, but it's an entertaining entry in 80s fantasy and action. The Blu-ray release does justice to this video store gem, offering fans a visually and audibly satisfying experience. Ruggero Deodato's direction ensures that the film is engaging from start to finish, making it a worthwhile addition to any 80s movie collection. Recommended for fans of Cannon Group productions and those who appreciate a good dose of nostalgic action fun.