Deadly Eyes Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Deadly Eyes" by Scream Factory boasts a surprisingly impressive AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Despite the film's low-budget origins, the high definition brings out notable qualities such as vivid color accuracy and saturation, especially in the reds that enhance the gore scenes. Fine detail is particularly strong in close-ups, revealing every wrinkle and blemish on the actors’ faces, while midrange shots retreat slightly in detail. The transfer maintains a fine layer of grain that adds a pleasing, film-like charm, and texture to the image. The contrast levels are robust, especially in the shadowy, subterranean scenes where the rats reside.

The 30-plus-year-old Canadian horror film shines with excellent definition and resolution for its age, thanks to the meticulous MPEG-4 AVC encoding. Outdoor shots filmed in Toronto offer good to very good depth of field, contributing to an overall rejuvenated visual appeal. The blacks are accurate and deep, though there is the occasional crushing, likely attributed to the source material. The color reproduction is bold and rich, with primary colors popping vividly—an element particularly noticeable in scenes featuring blood and 80s fashion. While flesh tones are consistent and appropriate for the film’s aesthetic, they do tend towards the cooler end of the spectrum.

Although some artifacts such as dirt specs and occasional streaks are present, these imperfections align well with the film's grindhouse roots and may even enhance the authentic feel for enthusiasts of that era. The hands-off approach to the transfer ensures the film looks remarkably close to its original presentation, making this high-def restoration a commendable effort by Scream Factory, significantly exceeding initial expectations for this cult classic.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track on Scream Factory's Blu-ray of "Deadly Eyes" offers a reasonably satisfactory listening experience. The track faithfully preserves the film's original sound design, providing good balance among dialogue, score, and sound effects. Although listeners may note an unusually noisy high end at times and some midrange disturbances early on, these issues do not severely detract from the overall audio quality. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible, while the film's quirky rat sounds are audibly distinct and engaging.

Despite being a mono track, the audio offers surprising imaging and a respectable sense of space and presence. This dynamic range enhances the viewer's immersion with strong acoustical details, though low bass tones might appear lackluster. While the track does show its age and a few fidelity limitations, it fits the vintage feel of the film well. Fluent transitions and balanced volumes between different audio elements contribute to a satisfying auditory experience. English subtitles are provided, catering to those who might need them.

In summary, while "Deadly Eyes" isn't set to astonish audiophiles with its audio presentation, it delivers an honest and effective representation of the film's sound. The DTS-HD Master Audio track, with its minor flaws, still ensures clear dialogue, engaging sound effects, and an immersive experience that honors the film’s original audio without heavy-handed enhancements.

The Blu-ray of "Deadly Eyes" offers a robust collection of extras, delivering in-depth perspectives on the film's production. Highlighting the disc is "Dogs in Rats' Clothing," an engaging featurette in HD providing interviews with pivotal figures like Charles Eglee and Alec Gillis. These interviews delve into personal anecdotes and production challenges, particularly emphasizing the special effects. Individual interviews with cast members Lisa Langlois, Lesleh Donaldson, and Joseph Kelly offer candid insights into their auditions and on-set experiences. Special Effects Artist Allan Apone's interview is particularly notable for its humorous yet informative take on transforming dogs into rats. Completing the package is a vintage TV spot. This compilation of extras provides a thorough behind-the-scenes look that will appeal to both fans of the film and enthusiasts of 80s horror cinema.

Extras included in this disc:

• Dogs in Rats' Clothing: Collection of interviews with crew sharing set memories and special effects commentary.
• Interview with Actress Lisa Langlois: Reminiscences about her career and experiences on set.
• Interview with Actress Lesleh Donaldson: Discusses Deadly Eyes and other horror classics.
• Interview with Actor Joseph Kelly: Reflects on his role and his experiences in the young Canadian acting community.
• Interview with Special Effects Artist Allan Apone: Insight into the special effects process and career anecdotes.
• TV Spot: A brief promotional trailer.

"Deadly Eyes," released in 1982 and directed by Robert Clouse, is an audacious entry in the killer rat genre which prior films like "Willard" and "Ben" had defined. It substitutes the typical horror-induced tension with a surprisingly comedic edge through its use of dachshunds in costume to represent the steroid-mutated rats. Known under various titles, including "Night Eyes," the film opens with the unmasking of its central menace, providing a blend of horror and unintentional hilarity from the start. With a plot centered on high school teacher Paul Harris (Sam Groom) who battles both personal and rodent issues, and a supporting cast that includes a health inspector and a rat expert, the film indulges in multiple narrative distractions that tend to divert attention from its core horror premise.

The production values of "Deadly Eyes" can evoke mixed reactions, particularly when evaluating its special effects. Practical effects serve both as a nostalgic callback and a point of inadvertent humor, notably in wider shots where the 'rats' clearly reveal themselves as dachshunds in awkward costumes. Despite its technical faults, the film manages to deliver some genuinely unsettling moments, such as scenes involving victims of various ages falling prey to the rodents, although these are somewhat overshadowed by the evident amateurishness in execution. Clouse’s direction occasionally interrupts the horror flow with odd cinematic nods, such as incorporating clips from his earlier work, "Enter the Dragon," further blurring the lines between intentional satire and serious horror.

The narrative of "Deadly Eyes," based loosely on James Herbert’s novel "The Rats," often sidetracks into subplots that dilute the main storyline's tension. There's an intended romantic subplot between Harris and a health inspector (Sara Botsford), yet another involving his student's inappropriate crush muddles the script’s focus. While Sam Groom’s earnest portrayal anchors the film to a certain extent, it's weighed down by superfluous scenes and irrelevant character arcs. Despite its flaws, "Deadly Eyes" maintains an endearing quality as a modest budget 80s horror movie, blending comedy and carnage in ways both planned and accidental, warranting its place in cult cinema lore for fans of quirky B-movie thrills.

Scream Factory's release of 'Deadly Eyes' on Blu-ray demonstrates their commitment to revitalizing forgotten horror gems. This 1982 film, featuring oversized rats portrayed by dachshunds, straddles the line between unintentionally comedic and chillingly grotesque. Despite its absurd premise, the Blu-ray treatment delivers notable improvements in both video and audio quality, making it a significant upgrade from previous formats.

The video presentation is excellent, with clean and crisp visuals that highlight the film's low-budget charm. Audio fidelity has been carefully handled, ensuring clear dialogue and balanced sound effects that enhance the eerie atmosphere. The Blu-ray also comes packed with a generous compilation of bonus features, including several insightful interviews that provide depth and context to this quirky cult classic. These supplements serve as a testament to Scream Factory’s dedication to their releases, often surpassing expectations for lesser-known titles.

The overall offering makes this Blu-ray a must-have for vintage horror collectors and fans of obscure films. While 'Deadly Eyes' may not rank among the top-tier rat-related horror flicks, its unique blend of unintentional humor and scare potential provides a memorable viewing experience. For those who enjoy the peculiar charm of B-movies, this release is a worthwhile addition to their collection. Scream Factory elevates 'Deadly Eyes' beyond its modest origins, creating a package that is both entertaining and nostalgic.

In conclusion, Scream Factory continues to mine the seemingly inexhaustible supply of little-remembered horror films of yore, and this release of 'Deadly Eyes' provides generally excellent video and very good audio, along with a nice supply of bonus features. Somewhere out there is some horror fan sighing rapturously, "At last! Deadly Eyes on Blu-ray! Now I can die peacefully!" (That last comment is more than can be said for most of the victims in the film.) While this is the very definition of a cult item, curious onlookers may want to check this out simply for the laughs the dog-rats provide. Be afraid—be very afraid.