The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded 1.85:1 aspect ratio presentation of "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant" makes a noteworthy transition to Blu-ray, offering a viewing experience that acknowledges the film's age and production constraints. The retained film grain ensures a film-like texture, an attribute vital for enthusiasts seeking authentic visual reproduction. While colors display a pinkish emphasis, particularly on flesh tones, they are generally stable and popping, especially in primary hues found in costumes. Outdoor scenes present agreeable greenery and overall brightness manages subtle texture details predominantly in close-ups and makeup effects.

Despite these positives, there are inherent limitations noticeable in this transfer. Detail clarity is modest, with darker scenes revealing denser delineation yet maintaining assessable visual elements. Print damage is present, including scratches, cigarette burns, and frame cuts—elements which some might see as detracting but add a layer of vintage authenticity. Interestingly, certain damage is intentional, such as during the climactic mine disaster scene, underscoring a peculiar creative choice. Black levels generally stay strong and inky, although some minor crush issues do exist. Overall, it's a solid upgrade to HD that successfully highlights the film's quirky charm while preserving its historical essence.

The audio presentation of "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant" on Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track that has shown mixed results. While some aspects of the sound mix are adequately engaging, others fall short of the desired standard. The intelligibility of dialogue often fluctuates, particularly during softer, mumbled exchanges, which can threaten the listener's grasp on these portions of the track. High-end sound effects, especially in scenes involving violence, tend to be piercing and shrill, indicating a struggle to maintain tonal balance and clarity.

On the other hand, John Barber's early 70s score provides a lively backdrop, integrating seamlessly with other sound elements to enhance the overall atmosphere of the film. Despite its limitations, the track manages to maintain a certain presence and reality, thanks to the score's active contribution. However, the stereo mix exhibits limited imaging, with minimal active channel movement or directionality. This results in a more static soundstage, though the track's levels are decidedly well-balanced, eliminating the need for volume adjustments. Additionally, it should be noted that there is an issue with the synchronization of the English subtitles.

In summary, while the audio track provides some moments of enjoyment and preserves a decent level of balance and space for the soundtrack and dialogue, its consistency and crispness are less than ideal. The murky mix and occasional piercing highs mar what could otherwise be a more polished auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant" offers an engaging array of extras that significantly enhance the viewing experience. The standout feature is the RiffTrax Audio Commentary with Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Kevin Murphy, whose witty riffs transform the film into a thoroughly entertaining experience. This pair of comedic geniuses brings their Mystery Science Theater 3000 expertise to the forefront, delivering non-stop laughs and making even the most absurd scenes worthwhile. Another key feature is a brief but insightful interview with screenwriter James Gordon White, detailing his experience with the film and sharing industry anecdotes. Complementing these are a nostalgic radio spot and a surprisingly generous theatrical trailer. These additions collectively provide great value and enrich the Blu-ray for both casual viewers and dedicated fans of B-movie lore.

Extras included in this disc:

• RiffTrax Audio Commentary: MST3K veterans deliver a hilarious 87-minute commentary.
• Interview With Screenwriter James Gordon White: 9-minute interview providing insights and industry anecdotes.
• Radio Spot: 1-minute vintage radio advertisement.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: 2-minute promotional trailer.

Mad scientist cinema takes a bizarre turn with 1971's "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant." Directed by Anthony M. Lanza, the film attempts to deliver a B-movie spectacle filled with sleazy, sadistic intentions but is hampered by miscasting and a pervasive sluggishness that undercuts its considerable oddity. Bruce Dern stars as the demented Dr. Roger Girard, who, after a professional disgrace, continues his head-transplant experiments at home. The movie achieves strangeness by merging brain-damaged hulk Danny (John Bloom) with rodent-like serial killer Manuel (Albert Cole). However, the production oddly avoids embracing absurdity and opts for a serious tone that misses the opportunity for campy fun. The cast also includes Casey Kasem as a friend trying to unravel the case.

While the title "The Incredible Two-Headed Transplant" immediately sets a high bar for expectations, the film delivers an entertaining ride if approached with a willingness to suspend disbelief. The plot centers on Roger's unethical experimentations, culminating in the grotesque merging of Danny and Manuel after the latter's violent escape from an asylum. This gory blend of human trials raises both excitement and moral questions. Despite its outrageous premise, the film often plays its absurd concept straight, which oddly enhances its bizarre charm. Bruce Dern’s commitment to his wild, over-the-top role adds dramatic gravity, elevating what would otherwise be pure schlock into something more memorable.

"The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant" is not high art; rather, it's an exercise in over-the-top storytelling that revels in its inherent silliness. If you appreciate cult classics like "Frogs" or "Snakes on a Plane," this film offers an equally ludicrous and enjoyable experience. The collaboration between Albert Cole and John Bloom, especially through close-up shots designed to make their shared body seem real, is both bizarre and humorous. Despite its absurdity, this film knows its audience and delivers on its peculiar promise, making it a fun watch for those willing to engage with its outlandish premise.

The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant offers an inimitable slice of 1970s B-movie madness, bolstered by Kino Lorber's commendable Blu-ray release. The film's premise, as outrageous as its title suggests, exhibits its two-headed creation with a mix of both unintentionally comedic and eerie moments. Although the plot suffers from muted performances and a disjointed rhythm, it is accentuated by John Barber's eclectic and retrospectively mismatched jazzy score. This uneven tonal marriage unfortunately hampers the film’s potential to elevate beyond its initial shock value into more profound dramatic storytelling.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release provides an exceptional A/V presentation that heightens every nuance of this bizarre spectacle. The transfer quality exhibits sharp detail and vibrant color accuracy, aligning well with enthusiasts' expectations for high-definition presentations of vintage genre films. Moreover, the inclusion of the Rifftrax commentary track is a valuable addition, offering humorous insights that embrace the film's campy charm. This supplementary feature enhances the viewing experience by providing contextually rich jest that appeals to aficionados of purposefully bad cinema.

The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant ultimately revels in its peculiarity and remains a notable entry for collectors and fans of cult cinema. Though the film falls short in thespian execution and narrative coherence, it compensates through its ludicrous yet entertaining concept. Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray package injects new life into this eclectic feature, making it recommended for those seeking both a nostalgic trip and a humorous experience within the bounds of schlock cinema.