Witchboard is another obscure little horror movie brought to you by Scream Factory and they have certainly put together a nice package with good audio/video transfers a decent amount of features that any fan will enjoy.
Witchboard (1986)
Genre(s): Horror, Supernatural
Shout Factory | R – 98 min. – $26.99 | February 4, 2014
MOVIE INFO:
Directed by: Kevin Tenney
Writer(s): Kevin Tenney (written by)
Cast: Todd Allen, Tawney Kitaen, Stephen Nichols, Kathleen Wilhoite, Burke Byrnes
Theatrical Release Date: December 31, 1986 (limited); March 13, 1987
DISC INFO:
Features: Audio Commentaries, Interviews, Vintage Featurette, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots, Still Gallery, DVD Copy
Number of Discs: 2
Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.85
Subtitles: English SDH
Disc Size: 39.7 GB
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A
THE MOVIE
Plot Outline: It’s called a Ouija Board and it’s been used for thousands of years to communicate with the souls of the afterworld. For beautiful Linda Brewster (TAWNEY KITAEN), it brings the playful ghost of a dead ten-year-old boy. But when the friendly spirit develops a sudden taste for violent murder and demonic possession, Linda’s boyfriend (TODD ALLEN) and her former lover (STEPHEN NICHOLS) must race to destroy the ferocious portal of the damned.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 4.5/5
If there’s one thing Shout isn’t known for, it’s releasing half-baked Blu-rays. This one, for an obscure 1980s supernatural horror film, has quite a few features. Also included is a regular DVD Copy.
Audio Commentaries – Amazingly, for such an obscure movie, this release comes with two tracks: 1) a new one featuring Writer/Director Kevin Tenney and Actors Stephen Nichols, Kathleen Wilhoite and James Quinn; and 2) with Tenney, Executive Producer Walter Josten and Producer Jeff Geoffray. Both of these offer something different with the cast one getting more into the acting elements and characters while the second is a bit more technical, though still interesting.
Progressive Entrapment: The Making of Witchboard (45:41; HD) is an extensive featurette with new interviews by the director, crew and cast as they talk about the project and their memories of making it.
Vintage Making of Witchboard (6:54; SD) was filmed back in on the set with lousy picture and audio but kind of fun to watch if only for a minute.
Cast Interviews (20:15; SD) are more comments by the cast recorded on the set.
On Set with Todd Allen and Stephen Nichols (19:56; SD) is some interviews culled from the same source as the “Cast Interviews” and “Vintage Making of”.
On Set with the Makers of Witchboard (19:59; SD) are some more behind-the-scenes footage and on-set interviews with the filmmakers.
Life on the Set (20:13; SD) offers more fly-on-the-wall material.
Constructing with the World of Witchboard (21:14; SD) – This looks at some of set construction on the film. Like “Life on the Set”, it’s a glimpse without the usual interview sound bites.
Also included are some Outtakes (6:18; SD), a Behind the Scenes Gallery, Promo Gallery and Theatrical Trailer (2:35; HD).
VIDEO – 4.25/5
Shout Factory releases Witchboard onto Blu-ray presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and a new 1080p high-definition transfer. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a well done transfer showing some good detail levels, only minor bouts of dust marks or scratches and some instances of noise which isn’t overly abundant or distracting. Colors also appear bright without being artificially pumped up. Considering the film’s age and no doubt low budget, the work done by Shout is impressive.
AUDIO – 3.25/5
The disc comes with a standard DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track which isn’t amazing yet serviceable enough where dialogue levels are clear and when there is some supernatural action, it comes through the center channel well enough, albeit it’s hardly anything remarkable.
OVERALL – 3.5/5
Overall, Witchboard is another obscure little horror movie brought to you by Scream Factory and they have certainly put together a nice package with good audio/video transfers a decent amount of features that any fan will enjoy. If for the right price, this is well worth picking up and being a good addition to anyone’s horror collection even if the movie itself isn’t anything outstanding.
Published: 01/19/2014