Death Line Blu-ray Review

Gary Sherman's "Death Line," presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, delights on Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground via a brand new 2K master. This high-definition presentation astonishes with its rich and nuanced visuals, particularly the darker subway scenes where delicate shadows and gradients are noticeably enhanced. Even during well-lit scenes, the clarity and depth are commendable, providing a visual feast with stable and vibrant image quality. Impressively, the transfer avoids problematic degraining and sharpening, maintaining the film's original integrity. Grain exposure is largely well-managed, though minor optimizations could have perfected it. The color grading is convincing, presenting a range of healthy primaries and proper nuances, and ensures no distracting debris, damage marks, stains, or warped frames are present.

The 1080p transfer demonstrates a significant improvement in edge detail and grain levels for a film from 1973. The opening subway scene alone highlights the benefits of this 2K restoration, boasting impressive clarity and shadow detail with excellent black levels. While there are minor inconsistencies in edge enhancement across some scenes – such as the softer edges observed during Christopher Lee's cameo compared to Donal Pleasence's close-ups – these issues are minimal and do not detract from the overall visual experience. This transfer sets a high standard for Blue Underground’s future endeavors, showcasing the potential of older films when restored with care and expertise.

The Blu-ray release of "Death Line" presents a singular audio track: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, complemented by optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The audio quality is commendable, displaying an absence of age-related imperfections. Dialogue articulation is crisp, stable, and well-balanced against the atmospheric music score. Though dynamic intensity is somewhat limited, this is consistent with the film’s modest budget.

This DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix captures the essence of early '70s horror effectively, paralleling the meticulous restoration efforts seen in many Blue Underground releases. Notable here is the fine speaker separation and generous volume levels across the board, which ensure an immersive auditory experience. While the audio mix is sufficiently comprehensive, it would have been advantageous to include a remastered 5.1 mix, as seen in some contemporaneous releases from studios like Shout! Factory. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall satisfactory audio presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Death Line" delivers an impressive array of extras that enrich the viewing experience through insightful commentary and engaging featurettes. Co-writer/director Gary Sherman, producer Paul Maslansky, and assistant director Lewis More O'Ferrall provide a detailed audio commentary, revealing behind-the-scenes stories, including Donald Pleasence's humorous contributions and the film's notorious long tracking shot. Featurettes such as "Tales From The Tube," "From The Depths," and "Mind The Doors," produced exclusively for Blue Underground, offer fascinating interviews with significant cast and crew members, discussing the film’s financing, casting process, and thematic depth. Additionally, viewers are treated to original trailers, TV spots, radio spots, an extensive poster and still gallery compiled by Gregory Chick, and a reversible cover with original poster art for "Raw Meat.”

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussion with Gary Sherman, Paul Maslansky, and Lewis More O'Ferrall.
• Tales From The Tube: Financing and casting insights with Gary Sherman, Jay Kanter, and Alan Ladd Jr.
• From The Depths: Interview with David Ladd and Paul Maslansky on the film’s themes.
• Mind The Doors: Hugh Armstrong discusses his role and preparation.
• Trailers: Original trailers for "Death Line" and "Raw Meat."
• TV Spots: Three original TV spots.
• Radio Spots: Two radio promos.
• Poster & Still Gallery: Compiled by Gregory Chick.
• Reversible Cover: Original poster art for "Raw Meat."
• Booklet: Featuring essays by Michael Gingold and Christopher Gullo.

Gary Sherman’s "Death Line", also known as "Raw Meat" in the U.S., is a British horror-thriller released in 1972, now available on Blu-ray from Blue Underground. The film follows American student Alex (David Ladd) and his British girlfriend Patricia (Sharon Gurney) as they discover an unconscious man in a London subway station. The mysterious figure turns out to be a prominent aristocrat, and Inspector Calhoun (Donald Pleasence) becomes embroiled in the investigation. Calhoun’s incompetence and comedic demeanor jar distinctly against the darker elements of the narrative, resulting in tonal inconsistencies. Christopher Lee briefly appears as an MI5 agent, but his role feels tacked on to attract big-name appeal.

The central horror plot involves a subterranean cannibal (Hugh Armstrong), the last survivor from a group of Victorian workers trapped and forgotten after a tunnel collapse. These elements add a layer of macabre depth, but the film vacillates between genuine tension and unintended parody. Notably, the movie begins to foster sympathy for the cannibal, portraying his actions as driven by painful necessity. However, the culmination feels hurried and undermines its overall credibility.

Technically, "Death Line" features several visually compelling sequences. Scenes at the Russell Square station are marked by their Gothic atmospherics and evocative lighting, hinting at what might have been in a more consistent horror thriller. Despite its flaws, the movie remains engaging through its novel approach to cannibalism and chaotic screenplay, which sometimes feels like it was crafted by a cast and crew with diverging visions.

In summary, "Death Line" intrigues but ultimately falters due to its disjointed thematics and narrative execution. It stands out for its unique setting and concept but doesn't wholly deliver a cohesive or satisfying cinematic experience. Nonetheless, horror aficionados may find value in its ambition and cult appeal.

"Death Line" is a fascinating yet often uneven horror thriller that mixes chilling atmosphere with awkward humor, primarily provided by Donald Pleasence’s offbeat performance. Its succinct 87-minute runtime ensures that the film doesn't overextend its stay, but the tonal inconsistencies, and an odd cameo by Christopher Lee, slightly hinder its overall cohesiveness. The restoration itself is top-notch, benefiting from a solid new 2K master, bringing both clarity and detail to the grim underground setting.

For fans of classic horror, this Blu-ray release by Blue Underground is a genuine treat. Despite its imperfections, "Death Line" remains an intriguing piece of genre cinema from the early '70s. The rediscovery is made even more rewarding with an array of commendable bonus features that offer deeper insights into the film's production and legacy. It's refreshing to see a film that maintains efficiency in its storytelling without padding unnecessary subplots, a characteristic that's increasingly rare in modern cinema.

In conclusion, while "Death Line" might not appeal to everyone due to its tonal disharmony and unusual narrative choices, it has enough merit to earn a recommendation for those who appreciate vintage horror. The new Blu-ray release enhances the viewing experience significantly, delivering excellent visuals and a wealth of extra content. If you're a fan of the genre, this well-crafted presentation is certainly worth adding to your collection. RECOMMENDED to genre enthusiasts and those curious about lesser-known horror classics.