Queen of Blood Blu-ray Review
Score: 75
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
Queen of Blood offers appealing craftsmanship with memorable sci-fi/horror elements, decent video quality, and informative extras despite a slightly problematic audio.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 79
The 1.85:1 aspect ratio 1080p transfer of 'Queen of Blood' offers an impressive HD viewing experience, making it easy to spot differences in the blended footage. Notable for its striking primary colors, especially reds and greens, the presentation retains film grain and detail, though period cinematography introduces some softness.
Audio: 72
The English DTS-HD 2.0 audio mix of 'Queen of Blood' shows clarity issues affecting dialogue, often buried and requiring the listener to strain. Sound effects and music are functional but lack spatial dynamism, tempering expectations given the historical low-budget framework.
Extra: 67
Extras include an insightful 21-minute HD interview with Robert Skotak delving into the film's unique production, a brief but informative 6-minute HD discussion with Roger Corman on his initial vision, and the original theatrical trailer in SD. A well-rounded supplement package for 'Queen of Blood' enthusiasts.
Movie: 72
Producer Roger Corman's 'Queen of Blood' ingeniously repurposes Russian films into a visually compelling, budget-stretching sci-fi adventure set in 1990, where astronauts face a bloodthirsty alien on Mars. The Blu-ray release showcases the film's unique charm and the actors' dedicated performances, despite visible production seams.
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Video: 79
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "Queen of Blood" presents an unusual visual amalgamation of Russian and Harrington footage. This HD transfer makes it relatively easy to discern the differences between these sources. Colors are the standout feature, with especially striking primaries that highlight blood reds and Martian greens, maintaining secure and intriguing hues. The period cinematography introduces a degree of softness to the image, yet details remain adequate, capturing facial textures and makeup limitations effectively. Design elements are clear, and delineation is satisfactory, preserving distances without issue. The source material exhibits minor wear and tear, though there’s no significant damage to be noted.
Compared to previous experiences with worn-out VHS copies, the 1.85:1 aspect ratio 1080p transfer is genuinely impressive. The blend of different film sources is part of this film's unique charm, and the HD image makes these distinctions easily identifiable. The print's vibrant color palette ensures the primaries have an appealing pop—especially the greens and reds. Film grain is preserved, providing a level of clarity and detail that offers an appreciation for the low-budget craftsmanship, from the set designs to Florence Marly's bright green makeup. The print's condition is commendable, with only minimal speckling present, making this a remarkably well-presented example of Roger Corman’s work on Blu-ray.
Audio: 72
The audio presentation of "Queen of Blood" on Blu-ray utilizes an English DTS-HD 2.0 mix, which unfortunately encounters several clarity issues. Dialogue is primarily affected, often sounding muffled and requiring the viewer to strain to hear certain exchanges. This effect suggests that the original recordings may have been limited by the use of a single microphone, possibly misaligned with the speaking actors. The sound effects and music, however, come through clearly, making the dialogue's muddiness a more stark contrast.
The mix exhibits a generally flat soundstage, with minimal spatial activity or low-frequency presence, which aligns with tempered expectations toward a low-budget production. There are moments where the audio peaks slightly, resulting in some high-pitched distortions that can be jarring. It’s clear that while atmospherics and sound effects manage to be more forceful and appealing, the overall balance struggles due to these inherent flaws. Viewers may need to adjust their volume levels frequently to find a comfortable listening experience.
Extra: 67
The Blu-ray release of "Queen of Blood" presents a solid array of extras that delve into the film's unique production history. Robert Skotak's interview is an extensive and insightful discussion on the movie's origins and intriguing production circumstances. Conversely, the Roger Corman interview, while highly informative, feels notably brief for such a distinguished producer, leaving one wishing for a more extended discussion. The inclusion of the original theatrical trailer rounds out the extras, providing a nostalgic glimpse into the film's initial marketing. Collectively, these extras deepen appreciation for this cult favorite, even if some segments might leave viewers wanting more.
Extras included in this disc:
- Interview with Robert Skotak: An in-depth exploration of the movie's production origins.
- Interview with Roger Corman: A brief but informative look at the producer's vision for the film.
- Theatrical Trailer: Provides a nostalgic peek at the film’s original marketing.
Movie: 72
Roger Corman's 1966 film, "Queen of Blood," offers a compelling case study in budget filmmaking, skillfully melding Russian film footage with new American scenes to craft a unique sci-fi narrative. Directed by Curtis Harrington, the movie unfolds in an envisioned 1990 future where humanity is on the cusp of interstellar exploration. Featuring a stellar cast, including John Saxon, Judi Meredith, Dennis Hopper, and Robert Boon, the plot centers on astronauts sent to Mars to investigate a distress call from a crashed alien spacecraft. They discover a surviving female alien whose alarming appetite for human blood adds a horror twist to their exploratory mission.
"Queen of Blood" thrives on creative frugality and visual inventiveness, despite its modest budget. Harrington’s editing integrates the Russian and American footage effectively, though the seams occasionally show, such as Cyrillic characters visible on "American" spacecraft. The narrative juggles genres, delivering suspenseful, if not always seamless, moments that are augmented by strong performances from the cast. Saxon and Hopper's dedication to their roles infuses the film with a zest that compensates for its production limitations and lends it an enduring cult appeal.
The movie’s legacy is bolstered by its entertaining yet ambitious approach to storytelling within fiscal constraints. While decidedly a B-movie, "Queen of Blood" should not be dismissed; it captures the essence of 1960s American sci-fi cinema. It stands as a testament to Corman’s knack for reinvention and ingenuity, ensuring that audiences are treated to an engaging mixture of action, suspense, and quirky charm. Whether it's experienced for nostalgia or discovered anew, the film guarantees an enjoyable viewing experience that is best shared with friends and possibly a sense of humor about its era-specific eccentricities.
Total: 75
Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of "Queen of Blood" is a commendable effort that deftly bridges the gap between American B-movie sensibilities and impressive Russian special effects. While the film itself isn't the most energetic or dynamic of its genre, it manages to captivate with its distinctive visual style and emotive performances. The Blu-ray boasts a very good video presentation that does justice to the film’s unique aesthetics, providing a crisp and clear image that enhances the viewing experience. The audio presentation, while decent, has some minor issues but does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment.
The supplementary material may be limited, yet the included extras are invaluable for enthusiasts. Notable among these are "The Russians are Coming: Robert Skotak on Queen of Blood" interview, an insightful conversation with Roger Corman, and the original double bill theatrical trailer. The absence of the original Russian films for comparative purposes is somewhat disappointing, but the high-quality presentation of "Queen of Blood" on Blu-ray compensates for it. These bonuses offer a deeper understanding of the film's production and cultural impact, making it worth the attention of genre aficionados.
In conclusion, "Queen of Blood" may not stand as the pinnacle of Roger Corman’s extensive catalog, yet it encapsulates the charm and inventiveness that define his works. The amalgamation of American and Russian cinematic elements results in a memorable foray into horror and science fiction. Despite its modest selection of extras and minor audio issues, this Blu-ray release is a worthy addition to any B-movie or Roger Corman collection. For fans of the genre, this release is highly recommended as it offers an intriguing blend of film history and entertaining content.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 80
Period cinematography adds a degree of softness to the image, but detail is adequate, grasping facial textures and make-up limitations, while design elements are easily studied....
Audio: 60
Intelligibility isn't lost, but certain passages are buried deep, while excitable performances hit a few crispy highs....
Extras: 80
Interview (6:27, HD) with Roger Corman is a brief examination of the producer's initial vision for the Russian footage and how the feature was ultimately shaped....
Movie: 60
It's an interesting juggling act, and one that helps the feature cut through some sluggish passages, with the helmer working to keep "Queen of Blood" visually interesting to best of his ability....
Total: 80
"Queen of Blood" isn't the most dynamic example of its genre, but it has a curious look, matching American B-movie pursuits with towering Russian special effects....
The Digital Bits review by Tim SalmonsRead review here
Video: 85
Audio: 85
The mish-mash of low budget opticals and special effects from lesser footage mixed with a more standardized American film stock make this a bit of a compromised presentation, but if you’ve seen it before...
Extras: 70
Movie: 80
The film tells the story of a group of scientists in the distant future of 1990 who are sent from Earth to investigate a distress call coming from a crashed alien spacecraft on Mars....
Total: 80
It’s a shame that we can’t also have the original Russian films for comparison’s sake, but just having Queen of Blood in such good quality is reason enough to appreciate this release....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Film grain appears intact allowing for a fine about of clarity and detail that lets you appreciate the cheapness of the sets as well as the bright green makeup that Florence Marly has to suffer through....
Audio: 60
Sound effects and music come through fine, so that leads me to believe the dialogue issue stems from the original recordings....
Extras: 20
The film historian offers up a great amount of information about the production and how the film came together....
Movie: 60
Every attempt is made to feed the alien woman, but what the crew has to offer isn't what the Queen of Blood actually craves, she wants something a little juicier and comes in the color red....
Total: 60
Kino Lorber has brought the film to Blu-ray in fine form, with a very good video presentation and a decent if slightly problematic audio presentation....
Director: Curtis Harrington
Actors: John Saxon, Basil Rathbone, Judi Meredith
PlotIn the distant future of 1990, Earth has established contact with an alien civilization. A distress signal from an alien spacecraft is detected on Mars, prompting an international mission to rescue the occupants. Astronauts Anders Brockman, Laura James, and Paul Grant are dispatched to investigate, led by their commanding officer, Dr. Farraday. They discover a lone female alien survivor with mesmerizing green skin and enigmatic abilities. The crew rescues the alien and brings her aboard their ship, unaware of the potential danger she poses.
As they embark on their journey back to Earth, they begin to notice strange occurrences and behavioral changes within their team. The alien's seductive nature and mysterious powers raise tensions among the crew members. The astronauts' failure to fully understand the alien's motives soon leads to unforeseen consequences, placing everyone on board at risk. They must confront the reality of their visitor and make critical decisions to survive the voyage home while grappling with the ethical dilemmas of interspecies interactions and the unforeseen perils of space exploration.
Writers: Curtis Harrington, Mikhail Karyukov, Otar Koberidze
Release Date: 02 Mar 1966
Runtime: 78 min
Rating: Unrated
Country: United States
Language: English