The Prey Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's release of "The Prey" on Blu-ray features a meticulously crafted AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio that showcases impressive restoration work. Utilizing a 2K scan on a 4K pin-registered Arriscan by OCN Labs, the restoration brings the film back to life with commendable fidelity, despite some inherent limitations from the original materials. Color grading was executed using DaVinci Resolve 16, and extensive image restoration was performed through Nucoda by Digital Vision, ensuring that the once faded footage now boasts vibrant saturation and satisfactory detail levels. Notably, there is periodic color flicker and hue inconsistencies due to severe fading in some optical effect sequences. However, these minor disruptions do little to mar the overall visual appeal.

From a technical viewpoint, the film's palette impresses with nicely saturated colors that enhance both natural scenery and character wardrobes. The occasional roughness in nature footage, possibly stock footage, and minor blemishes are easily overlooked given the organic and authentic texture maintained throughout. Every frame breathes with life, particularly in the sharpness of mountains and rivers that exhibit extreme detail without edge enhancement. This transfer excels in maintaining a firm and relaxed grain structure—true to its 35mm source—and benefits further from Arrow’s exceptional compression work.

The 2K restoration is particularly notable for its ability to expose facial textures and other intricate details previously lost in older, low-resolution releases. While opening shots involving panning past a fire show some damage, overall clean-up is commendably effective at addressing dirt and scratches without severe impact. Brightly colored clothes radiate with incredible primaries, and flesh tones remain natural, even under harsh lighting. Despite medium gray black levels during darker scenes, the depth remains consistent, affording "The Prey" enough visual weight to keep shadows from appearing too flat. Overall, this Blu-ray presentation should certainly please both old fans and new viewers alike with its high-quality execution.

"The Prey" on Blu-ray features a robust LPCM Mono audio track that effectively harnesses Don Peake's energizing score without crossing into strident or overly bright territories. The music stands out as a key element, infusing the presentation with dynamic energy. Dialogue and scream elements are captured with a full-bodied presence, ensuring clarity and immersion. Ambient environmental effects are executed with realistic finesse, contributing to the overall atmospheric authenticity.

However, the audio does reflect the source material's age, with rough and raw dialogue that retains its coarse quality. While each line remains audible, there are occasional skips and pops that indicate more extensive damage to the audio than the accompanying video. Notably, the audio excels in delivering low frequencies with a clean resonance, evident in critical cues such as the heartbeat, though the treble does not match this level of fidelity.

Overall, the LPCM Mono track presents "The Prey" with a solid audio experience that capitalizes on its musical score and environmental effects, even as it carries the inevitable imperfections of its original source material.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Prey" offer a comprehensive selection of content that surpasses the film itself through varied and engaging retrospectives. Key features include a 27-minute interview with Debbie Thureson, an insightful 14-minute discussion with Lori Lethin, and a reflective 12-minute talk with Gayle Gannes. Additional highlights include Jackson Bostwick's 18-minute interview and Caryl Struycken's 7-minute segment, shedding light on their experiences. Intriguingly, viewers can explore filming locations in a 14-minute feature, join a Texas Frightmare Weekend Q&A, and delve into two extensive audio interviews with director Edwin Scott Brown and producer Summer Brown. The second disc enriches the package with alternate versions of the film, including a composite cut and silent outtakes.

Extras included in this disc:

Gypsies, Camps and Screams: Interview with Debbie Thureson.

Babe in the Woods: Interview with Lori Lethin.

Gayle on Gail: Interview with Gayle Gannes.

The Wide Mouthed Frog and Other Stories: Interview with Jackson Bostwick.

Call of the Wild: Interview with Caryl Struycken.

In Search of The Prey: Location tour with Ewan Cant and Debbie Thureson.

Texas Frightmare Weekend Experience: Audience reactions and Q&A session.

Audio Interview with Director Edwin Scott Brown

Audio Interview with Producer Summer Brown

Audio Commentary with Ewan Cant and Amanda Reyes

International Cut: Alternate cut of the film.

Composite Cut: Fan cut combining both versions of the film.

Outtakes

Arrow Video's release of The Prey is a mixed exploration of cult horror cinema, blending both unique and familiar elements in a package tailored for die-hard genre fans. Notably, this film offers an unusual ecological or Darwinian undertone, primarily depicted through extensive interstitial footage of forest wildlife, adding an atypical element to the slasher motif. The narrative delves into a forest fire from the 1940s, with survivor lore involving a badly disfigured child among gypsies, despite the curious setting of Big Bear, California. This backstory forms the crux as a series of unwary campers encounter gruesome fates, driving the predictable yet macabre plot forward.

The film's character roster predominantly features stereotypical elements typical to slasher cinema, with amorous young couples venturing into secluded wilderness areas. Characters like park ranger Mark O'Brien (Jackson Bostwick) add a slightly varied dynamic by actively maintaining surveillance over the campers once trouble begins. Despite this, the cast overall lacks significant depth or differentiation, often leading to a somewhat amateur ambiance akin to low-budget student projects. Additionally, the inclusion of banjo interludes highlights both the character’s depth and actor’s off-screen talents, providing a momentary diversion from the unfolding horror.

Technically, The Prey presents a mixed bag. The primitive storytelling structure is punctuated by sporadic yet striking nature imagery, creating a dichotomy between scenic beauty and narrative vacuity. The score by Don Peake is a high point, with visceral string effects that evoke a hallucinogenic feel reminiscent of Stravinsky. However, the film’s dialogue is sparse and uninspired, culminating in a convoluted yet darkly memorable climax where the villain's disturbing quest for a mate concludes on an eerie note. While this film undeniably embraces many slasher clichés, it maintains a distinctive niche appeal that continues to intrigue and divide horror enthusiasts to this day.

The Blu-ray release of "The Prey" is a technical triumph, breathing new life into a cult slasher that has garnered a niche following despite its narrative shortcomings. The video transfer is exceptional, showcasing the film's natural landscapes with a striking clarity and authenticity that were absent in earlier VHS versions. Audio quality also impresses, delivering clear dialogue and crisply rendered sound effects, enhancing the viewing experience significantly.

Despite its technical merits, "The Prey" remains an uneven historical relic from the slasher genre's golden era. Viewers will find its plot thin and its acting subpar, characteristic of low-budget horror films of the time. The theatrical version includes extensive interstitial nature photography, which some may find an intriguing albeit unusual choice, adding a layer of atmosphere rather than advancing the story. This edition's real draw, however, lies in its comprehensive supplementary material which provides an engaging dive into the making of the film, revealing insights and behind-the-scenes content that die-hard fans will appreciate.

In conclusion, "It's not human, and it's got an axe!" may not exactly be the most memorable tagline in movie marketing history, but it gives a clue as to the low-rent sensibility of this odd yet somewhat engaging slasher flick. Those who don't mind less-than-stellar acting and an abundance of scenic interludes might find this an okay diversion. However, it’s the robust supplementary content and solid technical merits of this release that truly make it worthwhile for genre enthusiasts considering a purchase.