Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson Blu-ray Review

"Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson" is presented on Blu-ray by Severin Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, though archival video features narrower ratios. As expected for a documentary utilizing diverse sources, the quality can vary significantly. Older film clips often exhibit a degree of degradation, presenting a somewhat rugged visual experience. However, contemporary interviews and establishing shots are exceptionally sharp, with strong detail retention that stands in stark contrast to the aged material.

"Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson" extends a choice between DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks, demonstrating a clear commitment to audio fidelity. Given its nature as a documentary dominated by interviews and interstitial film clips, the distinctions between the 2.0 and 5.1 tracks are subtle. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 adds a bit more spatial presence, offering additional speaker space without turning it into a full surround sound experience. Both tracks feature pristine clarity, especially in dialogue and musical cues, with archival audio occasionally exhibiting minor degradation due to age.

The documentary's predominantly dialog-driven content remains intelligible and sharp across both formats. The included subtitles in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese reinforce the accessibility of the documentary. Both audio configurations handle the mix of film excerpts and interview commentary effectively, ensuring each element is distinguishable. The 2.0 track suffices for most viewers, providing high-quality sound reproduction, but audiophiles may appreciate the subtle enhancements in the 5.1 mix for a slightly enriched listening experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson" are a robust and engaging look into the documentary’s behind-the-scenes content. Highlights include an extensive 20-minute compilation of outtakes featuring excised interviews and scenes, providing further insights into Adamson's colorful career from industry veterans like Russ Tamblyn and Samuel Sherman. Additionally, viewers can explore a promo reel for Adamson’s unfinished UFO documentary, "Beyond This Earth," showcasing his ambitious blending of staged scenes with real footage. Accompanied by a trailer for the main feature and a vibrant poster gallery celebrating Adamson’s numerous cult classics, these extras enrich the narrative presented in the primary documentary.

Extras included in this disc:

• Outtakes: Several deleted scenes, including interview segments with Russ Tamblyn and Samuel Sherman.
• Beyond This Earth Promo Reel: A look at Al Adamson’s unfinished UFO documentary.
• Blood & Flesh Trailer: Preview trailer for the main feature.
• Al Adamson Poster Gallery: A diverse gallery of posters from Adamson's films.

David Gregory's "Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson" meticulously explores the multifaceted life and grim demise of the cult filmmaker Al Adamson. Opening with the disturbing archival news coverage of Adamson's 1995 murder, the film seamlessly transitions into a heartfelt examination of his career and contributions to B-movie cinema. Interviews with Samuel M. Sherman, Adamson's closest friend and frequent collaborator, offer invaluable insights into the unique processes behind Adamson's low-budget film productions. However, some fans may find the documentary lacking deeper exploration into his talent for recycling films into various iterations.

The documentary balances poignant personal anecdotes with captivating archival footage, including rarely seen silent film clips of Adamson's father, Denver Dixon, a seminal figure in early Australian Westerns. Enhanced by Severin Films' comprehensive Al Adamson: The Masterpiece Collection, the film captures the essence of Adamson’s unyielding passion for filmmaking and his unfortunate end. Gregory's narrative underscores a bittersweet legacy—celebrated not necessarily for artistic merit but for the grit and innovation characteristic of Adamson’s work.

This Blu-ray edition is essential for genre enthusiasts and cinephiles fascinated by the offbeat cinemascope of Al Adamson's career. By juxtaposing biographical elements with industry insights, the film crafts a nuanced tribute, offering both emotional engagement and contextual depth. With its blend of tragedy and triumph, "Blood & Flesh" stands as an evocative chronicle of a filmmaker whose life story remains as compelling as his eclectic cinematic offerings.

"Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson" is an engrossing documentary that delves deep into the enigmatic life and tragic end of cult filmmaker Al Adamson. The film is enriched by captivating and heartfelt anecdotes from peers such as Russ Tamblyn and Samuel Sherman, providing a personal touch to Adamson's fascinating yet tumultuous biography. The production's technical merits are solid, ensuring a visually and audibly satisfying experience, and the supplementary material enhances the overall value, offering additional insights into Adamson's work.

This Blu-ray release stands out as an essential acquisition for film aficionados, especially those with an interest in cult cinema. The documentary provides a comprehensive look at Adamson's career, elaborating on his unique filmmaking style and the underappreciated impact of his work in modern cinema. While some may find certain aspects of Adamson's life could have been elucidated more clearly, the heartfelt testimonials and substantial supplementary content make this a compelling watch from start to finish.

In conclusion, "Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson" is a fascinating piece that probably could have offered a bit clearer exposition on some of Adamson's biography but is buoyed by some really fun and often quite heartfelt reminiscences from the likes of Russ Tamblyn, Samuel Sherman, and a host of others. Technical merits are solid, and the supplementary package enjoyable. Recommended.