Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens Blu-ray Review

"Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens" is presented in a 1080p AVC encoded transfer with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, expertly crafted from the 35mm original camera negative. Despite the environmental and chemical decomposition encountered by the original elements, Severin Films has undertaken an impressive restoration process. Over 100 hours of meticulous work went into reviving this classic film, ensuring a faithful and film-like transfer while maintaining grain reproduction intact. Although some age-related wear results in a slightly less vivid palette and chunkier grain field compared to previous films in the series, the restoration achieves commendable results, delivering stunning primary colors and excellent detail levels, particularly noticeable in close-ups of props and costumes.

The initial text card affirms that the film was scanned and restored in 4K at Illuminate Studios Hollywood. This restoration outperforms some of Severin Films' previous works, notably "Supervixens," showcasing depth and dimensionality with negligible print damage. The warm contrast and vibrant colors enhance the viewing experience, presenting a crisp image with remarkable clarity that adheres to a cinematic quality. While offering a strong presentation overall, those seeking enhanced primaries could opt for Severin's UHD version for even more impressive detail and color density.

The result is a visually appealing presentation for Russ Meyer’s last theatrical feature that devoted fans will appreciate. Severin Films has achieved a polished restoration given the challenges of working with damaged source materials, delivering an optimal viewing experience for this Blu-ray release.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray of "Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens" offers a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track that captures the essence of its period. The soundtrack, sourced from 35mm theatrical prints and 1″ tape masters, is presented as a complete composite track with commendable clarity. The audio quality remains consistent, offering a lively and bright rendition of William Tasker's score, which is integral to the film's quirky tone.

From a technical perspective, the monaural soundtrack achieves impressive dynamic range and fidelity given its 1979 origins. Dialogue across the film is rendered cleanly and clips at no point, ensuring clarity throughout the film's runtime. Additionally, the playful, Benny Hill-esque music from Tasker shines through with notable strength and engagement, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

For audiences who require or prefer subtitles, optional English SDH subtitles are available in a clear white font. This feature ensures accessibility without detracting from the main audio experience. Overall, "Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens" delivers a high-quality audio experience that honors its original production while providing an engaging listen on this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray extras for "Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens" provide an enthralling dive into the film's history and its creator, Russ Meyer. The archival audio commentary with Meyer serves as a rich source of insights, offering firsthand reflections on the film's creation. The interview, "The Latin Brünhilde," featuring actress Kitten Natividad, is both enlightening and personal, discussing her experiences with Meyer. "Talk It Over" presents a delightfully nostalgic glimpse into a 1979 Tucson talk show, with host Ellen Adelstein exploring Meyer's provocative film style. Complementing this is "Still Talking It Over," a newer interview with Adelstein that revisits her conversation with Meyer and dissects the public's reaction. Lastly, a captivating trailer highlights Meyer's distinctive flair, likening him humorously to a rural Fellini, capturing the essence of his unique filmmaking approach.

Extras included in this disc:

• Archival Audio Commentary with Russ Meyer: Insightful commentary by the film's creator.
• The Latin Brünhilde: Interview with actress Kitten Natividad on various insightful topics.
• Talk It Over: 1979 Tucson talk show featuring Russ Meyer.
• Still Talking It Over: New interview reflecting on the earlier show.
• Trailer: Meyer's distinct style is humorously highlighted.

Russ Meyer's "Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens," presented on Blu-Ray, is a testament to the director's signature style—an exuberant celebration of excess and audacity. Known as the former king of softcore cinema, Meyer delivers an over-the-top spectacle teeming with buxom characters and satirical humor. The film follows Lamar (Ken Kerr), a small-town man whose peculiar desires propel him through a series of absurd encounters, highlighted by Kitten Natividad's portrayal of Lavonia, his vivacious wife. Her role, along with Ann Marie as Eufaula Roop, combines with atypical narrative quirks to offer a hyperbolic lens on small-town Americana.

The film's technical execution showcases Meyer’s distinctive craftsmanship, with vibrant colors and a rhythmic editing style that amplifies its comic book-like energy. Narration from Stuart Lancaster provides a peculiar documentary-style context, adding another layer to the multi-faceted satire. It's notable that celebrated film critic Roger Ebert co-penned the screenplay, infusing the movie with clever insights beneath its comedic facade. Despite its brisk pacing and unique visual style, the film's humor may feel repetitive over its ninety-minute runtime, bordering more on exhaustion than sustained amusement.

For fans of Meyer's work, this film is a fitting swan song, embodying his bold cinematic vision and disregard for conventional critiques. It's a relic of its era, capturing a time when its style could provoke or amuse. While its artistic merit may resonate with dedicated admirers, for others it may serve merely as an intriguing historical curiosity, illustrating Meyer's unapologetic embrace of burlesque theatrics and tongue-in-cheek storytelling, existing more as an iconoclast's artifact than a compelling narrative experience.

"Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens" on Blu-ray impeccably preserves Russ Meyer's audacious style, bringing his exploitation classic alive with a vibrant and somewhat garish aesthetic true to its era. The video transfer is commendable, capturing the vivid color palette and distinctive cinematography that characterizes Meyer's work. The meticulous restoration efforts ensure that even seasoned fans will find visual satisfaction, maintaining the film's raw energy and playful exuberance. Audio fidelity is similarly robust, with the track clear and dynamic, retaining Meyer's unique use of sound to enhance the film's notorious theatrics.

The Blu-ray release stands out not only for its technical prowess but also for the added depth provided by its supplementary materials. These enrich the viewing experience, offering insights into the film's production and Meyer's directorial idiosyncrasies. New interviews, documentaries, and commentary tracks contribute significantly, making this release a treasure trove for cinephiles interested in cinematic subversiveness or those studying genre film artistry from a bygone era. The bonus features serve as a fitting tribute to Meyer’s legacy in the world of outré cinema.

Yes, Meyer films are undeniably smarmy and probably come nowhere near to meeting muster with politically correct contemporary sensibilities, but that may be part of their allure. At least Meyer never really seemed to take himself seriously (with the possible notable exception of The Seven Minutes, which was a notorious flop), and that is certainly the case with this energetic romp. If you're a fan of Meyer but perhaps haven't yet seen this film, you still know pretty much what you're getting. If you are a newcomer to Meyer's filmography and have even the slightest hint of prudishness, you might want to move on to something else. Technical merits are generally solid, especially considering the information imparted about the condition of the negative, and the supplements very enjoyable for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.