Turkey Shoot Blu-ray Review

Severin Films' Blu-ray presentation of "Turkey Shoot" is delivered with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and offers an impressive visual upgrade from previous releases. The elements are in generally excellent condition with minimal damage, though some color temperature variances and occasional variances in clarity—attributable to the film’s use of stock footage and split screens—are present. The color palette is nicely vivid with convincingly deep blue skies and accurate reproduction of the inmates' yellow jumpsuits. While the opening scenes display slightly pallid saturation, the grain is natural and maintained well without resolution problems.

Foreground details and textures significantly benefit from retained fine film grain, showcasing markedly improved detail levels over earlier home video versions. Rich and bright colors with strong primary hues, particularly evident in the thick, gooey, barbecue sauce-red fake blood, enhance the vibrant visual experience. The exterior footage features commendable contrast and depth of field, aided by solid black levels that hold up well under brightly lit conditions with effective shadow separation. However, minor drawbacks include darker scenes experiencing occasional crushing effects and a slight flattening, though these instances are infrequent. The primary limitation is some speckling and a brief moment of frame discoloration, but these issues do not detract significantly from what is otherwise a standout transfer.

The Blu-Ray presentation of "Turkey Shoot" offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that largely supports the film's audio needs, covering dialogue, effects, and the notably eccentric score by Brian May. The track manages to keep dialogue clear and understandable, despite the film’s limited budget affecting post-production audio looping. Consequently, some lines exhibit "rubber mouth" and a few actors’ voices are not their own due to dubbing.

Overall ambient sound can feel shallow and occasionally hollow, reflecting the era and constraints under which the film was produced. The stereo track does display some channel movement but often has an artificial quality. Gunfire, explosions, and blood effects are accentuated for dramatic impact, if at times sounding less than natural. Despite these quirks, the audio complements the film's unique atmosphere satisfactorily. The balance across audio levels is commendable; the mix is free of spikes or drops, making the viewing experience smooth. There are no noticeable age-related issues, highlighting the quality of the restoration effort.

The extras on the Blu-ray edition of "Turkey Shoot" offer a comprehensive and engaging deeper dive into the making of this cult classic and Ozploitation cinema. Highlights include "The Ozploitation Renaissance," an insightful retrospective on the genre featuring input from key industry figures, and an extended set of interviews from "Not Quite Hollywood," which provides in-depth discussions on the film's tumultuous production. The nostalgic "Turkey Shoot: Blood & Thunder Memories" includes candid, often humorous reflections from the cast and crew, while vintage director interviews and multiple title sequences add to the richness of this collection. An engaging audio commentary from director Brian Trenchard-Smith offers personal anecdotes about the trials and tribulations faced during production.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Ozploitation Renaissance: Look back at various Ozploitation films with participant interviews.
• Turkey Shoot: Blood & Thunder Memories: Interviews with cast and crew on their experiences.
• Brian Trenchard-Smith Interview: Director discusses the film's impact on his career.
• Not Quite Hollywood - Extended Interviews: Detailed discussions from the 2008 documentary.
• Audio Commentary: Insightful and entertaining commentary by Brian Trenchard-Smith.
• Turkey Shoot Trailer: Original trailer showcasing the film.
• Escape 2000 Alternate Title Sequence: Different title sequence from the original film.
• Blood Camp Thatcher Opening Title Sequence: Another alternate title sequence.

"Turkey Shoot," directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith, is an Australian exploitation film that revels in its hyper-violent and grotesque nature, embodying the essence of the Ozploitation sub-genre. Set in a dystopian near-future, the plot follows the extreme measures of a totalitarian regime that ships political, artistic, and social deviants to re-education camps. The film’s lead antagonist, Charles Thatcher (Michael Craig), orchestrates a twisted form of entertainment for the elite by allowing them to hunt human prey, drawn from the camp’s inmates. As the new prisoners, including Paul Anders (Steve Railsback) and Chris Walters (Olivia Hussey), fight for survival against their sadistic captors, the movie delivers a barrage of over-the-top violence and dark humor.

One of the most compelling aspects of "Turkey Shoot" is its array of eccentric characters and the macabre tools they use. Huntress Jennifer employs a crossbow with explosive arrows, while Secretary Mallory targets Chris with tranquilizer darts. Tito engages in vehicular mayhem using a machine-gun-mounted dune buggy, complete with a mutant cannibal sidekick. These outlandish elements contribute to the film’s unique, albeit disturbing, charm. Despite being marred by a chaotic production history — including significant budget cuts that curtailed much of the intended screenplay — "Turkey Shoot" manages to deliver intermittent bursts of action and visceral excitement.

Trenchard-Smith's direction eschews irony in favor of a straightforward approach to its lurid content, which may amplify the absurdity for discerning viewers. The film's pace can occasionally drag, only to be punctuated by its explicit depictions of violence and depravity, making it a polarizing experience. Despite its rough edges and uneven moments, "Turkey Shoot" remains an intriguing entry into the annals of exploitation cinema. With a premise reminiscent of "The Most Dangerous Game" combined with elements of dystopian fiction, it stands out for its uninhibited audacity and relentless pursuit of shock value.

Severin's Blu-ray release of "Turkey Shoot" presents a film that is polarizing and memorable for its extreme take on exploitation cinema. The film itself, with its over-the-top violence and sensationalist themes, is not for everyone. However, those who appreciate the genre will find a lot to love in this lavishly violent and unapologetically campy production. The audiovisual presentation is top-tier, with a clean transfer that preserves the gritty aesthetic of the original while enhancing the viewing experience. Colors are vivid, and the audio is clear, making for an immersive watch that fans will appreciate.

The supplemental material is where this Blu-ray truly shines. An extensive range of extras provides a deep dive into the chaotic production of "Turkey Shoot." The included behind-the-scenes features and interviews paint a vivid picture of a troubled production rife with challenges, similar to the well-documented struggles seen in other infamous film productions. These extras not only enhance understanding of the film's context but also add substantial value to the release itself. Enthusiasts of film history, particularly those fascinated by production calamities, will find these materials invaluable.

This is one of those releases where the actual film involved may well be less interesting than the supplemental material. A lot of the extras on this disc paint a picture of a production in about as much disarray as that discussed in Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau. While the film is pretty lamentable, those with an interest in film disasters (as opposed to disaster films) will find this Severin release rather interesting. Recommended.

In conclusion, "Turkey Shoot" on Blu-ray is a thoroughly engaging package whether you love or loathe the film itself. Severin has delivered a high-quality product that excels in both AV presentation and supplemental content. For fans of exploitation cinema and aficionados of film trivia alike, this release comes highly recommended.