I Drink Your Blood Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation by Grindhouse Releasing offers a meticulously restored HD debut of the film, greatly enhancing its visual appeal. Sharpness is particularly impressive, yielding a clear depiction of the film's sinister events, including detailed views of gore-filled scenes and expressive close-ups. Textural details shine through in costumes and period hairstyles, augmenting the film’s immersive quality. Colors appear revitalized, providing clarity to both the blood splatters and the eerie ambiance of the infected rampage while maintaining the lush greenery that sets the film's small-town atmosphere. Skintones are depicted with accuracy and finesse.

Delineation is expertly handled, preserving the integrity of potentially problematic evening scenes and conveying distance effectively. The source material remains in satisfactory condition, showing no significant signs of wear or damage. This Blu-ray release stands as a testament to Grindhouse Releasing’s dedication to delivering a high-quality visual experience, making it an essential addition for enthusiasts seeking to relive this cult classic with enhanced clarity and a true-to-original essence.

Grindhouse Releasing’s Blu-ray presentation of "I Drink Your Blood" features a 1.0 DTS-HD MA audio track that embodies the film's unique and unsettling soundscape. The soundtrack is notably highlighted by prominent synth stings that contribute to the film's scare factor without distorting, despite their intentionally overwhelming nature. The mix maintains clarity in dialogue, offering coherently delivered performances across varying skill levels. Crowd sequences are well-produced, facilitating easy comprehension, while sharp sound effects retain their intended impact. Atmospherics, while not rich, are effective enough to support the film's overall sonic environment.

Technically, the audio track aligns with what one would expect from a mono mix. Despite a somewhat flat character with minimal speaker-to-speaker activity, it preserves the original integrity of the film's sound design efficiently. Dialogue remains clear and easily discernible, though somewhat lacking in depth. The musical score integrates seamlessly into the overall audio mix, contributing to the period-authentic ambiance without introducing distortion or hiss. Accompanying English SDH subtitles further enhance accessibility for viewers who require them. This meticulous preservation ensures an experience that honors the film’s original audio intentions while offering a clean and unobtrusive listening experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "I Drink Your Blood" provide a rich and exhaustive exploration of the film's production, with contributions from key figures such as David E. Durston, Bhaskar, Lynn Lowry, and more. Notable inclusions are multiple commentary tracks with distinct perspectives on both the Theatrical X-Rated and Director's Cuts, alongside a fascinating array of deleted scenes and out-takes in HD. Additionally, several interviews and featurettes such as "The I Drink Your Blood Show" and a comprehensive 59-minute interview with Durston himself offer deep dives into the creative process and history behind this cult classic. The package also includes other related features like the entirety of "I Eat Your Skin" and "Blue Sextet," further enriching this robust collection.

Extras included in this disc:

Booklet: Contains essays by David Szulkin, Tyde Kierney, and John Damon. Commentary #1 (Theatrical X-Rated Cut): Featuring David E. Durston and Bhaskar. Commentary #2 (Theatrical X-Rated Cut): Featuring Jack Damon and Tyde Kierney. Commentary #3 (Director's Cut): Featuring Durston and Bhaskar. Deleted Scenes: Additional material with optional commentary. Out-Takes: Behind-the-scenes production footage. The I Drink Your Blood Show: Interviews with cast and crew. Interview: Extensive conversation with Durston on his career. 'I Drink Your Blood' Reunion: 2004 screening discussion. Cinema Wasteland (Q&A): Horror convention session with Durston and Lowry. Cinema Wasteland (Interview): Short discussion with Durston. Bonus Feature: I Eat Your Skin Interview (I Eat Your Skin): 2nd Unit Director William Grefe interview. Bonus Feature: Blue Sextet Commentary (Blue Sextet): Featuring Jack Damon. German Super 8 Versions: Haus Des Blutigen Schreckens and Die Satansbande. Bios & Filmographies: For Durston, Bhaskar, Larry Gross. Galleries: Various production stills, cast & crew images, theatrical posters, video releases, and more. Radio Spot Theatrical Trailer

"I Drink Your Blood," originally titled "Phobia," burst onto the drive-in scene in 1971, generating both acclaim and backlash. Writer/director David E. Durston crafted a low-budget shocker that set a unique precedent as the first film rated X solely for violence. While its most graphic moments might seem tame by today's standards, the film remains a fascinating piece of exploitation cinema. It captures the disturbing zeitgeist of its era, channeling Manson Family-inspired chaos and Vietnam War-era paranoia into a macabre tale of disease and Satanic fervor. The performances and direction are enthusiastic, creating an odd yet engaging take on the zombie genre without the actual undead.

The narrative weaves through Valley Hills, where the Sados cult, led by Horace (Bhaskar), takes over an abandoned hotel to commence dark rituals. Local boy Pete (Riley Mills) exacts revenge on the cultists by spiking meat pies with rabies-infected blood. The ensuing havoc sees the infected gang losing their sanity, driven by an unending thirst and a penchant for violence, spreading the chaos to more unsuspecting victims. Durston's story is loaded with atmosphere, punctuated by sudden synth stings and unsettling scenes of Satanic loyalty—crafting an aura of dread that lingers even as the production's constraints, like blood resembling tomato soup, are evident.

"I Drink Your Blood" is offered in two versions: the Theatrical X-Rated Cut (83:30) and the Director's Cut (88:19). The latter enriches the film with more character development, additional scenes such as Doc's LSD trip, and an extended ending. Despite its campy undertones, Durston's commitment to creating a mood-heavy revenge narrative is palpable, delivering a bizarre yet intriguing horror experience that stands out in exploitation cinema history.

The Blu-ray release of "I Drink Your Blood" offers a thorough and impressive revitalization of an iconic exploitation film. Grindhouse Releasing has meticulously restored the movie, providing an exceptional visual and audio experience that greatly enhances the viewing. The high-definition transfer showcases significant improvements in picture clarity and color balance, emphasizing the film's gritty aesthetics without losing its original texture. The sound design is equally praiseworthy, presenting a clear and immersive auditory experience that complements the film's intense atmosphere and eclectic score.

Additionally, the Blu-ray includes a wealth of supplemental materials, making it a true collector's item. Fans will appreciate the detailed behind-the-scenes features, interviews with cast and crew, and insightful commentaries that offer a deeper understanding of the film's production and legacy. This comprehensive package not only caters to hardcore genre enthusiasts but also provides invaluable context for those new to the world of grindhouse cinema. The dedication to preserving and enhancing this exploitation classic is evident, making this release a standout among home media offerings.

"I Drink Your Blood" manages to raise hell for the grand finale, pitting the healthy against the rabid in a fight to the death. Durston cranks up the violence and encourages group participation, and there's some provocative material as well, including a scene of self-immolation from the lone Asian character that feels pulled from the headlines of the day. The picture offers chaos, diseased construction workers, and a mano a mano confrontation between Rollo and Horace that pits ax vs. sword. I Drink Your Blood is unexpectedly lively once Durston works up to a resolution, working well with locations and gore, living up to the X-rating the playful movie didn't deserve.

In summary, Grindhouse Releasing’s new Blu-ray of "I Drink Your Blood" is a remarkably exhaustive edition that is both engaging and educational. Even for viewers who might not be initially drawn to the genre, this release offers enough rich content and meticulous restoration efforts to make it an appreciation-worthy addition to any collection. For genre fans, this is an absolute must-own.