COLLECTOR'S CRYPT - DEATHDREAM (BLUE UNDERGROUND 4KUHD)
The list of anti-war horror movies is small and unfamiliar to many genre fans, even the deep-cut enthusiasts. It used to be “cool” to say, “Leave your politics outta my movie” as a warcry for the thin-skinned who dared have the audacity to dictate their will upon an artist. To ignore that politics can, and will be a part of art for as long as it is a function of our society and influences the people in it. Since the turn of the century, most notably the start of the Iraq War, films began to challenge the status quo of blindly supporting military actions either for retribution, “national defense”, or otherwise. Modern horror films have embraced the idea that the horrors of real life are perfect metaphors for the imagined ones of their narratives. This subversion of the normal (supernatural) and the status quo represents how genre films can easily trojan horse politics intentionally or not. George Romero has famously said his casting of Duane Jones as Ben was not to suggest race as a metaphor, but because Duane was simply the best actor. Regardless of intent, the politics of the 60s make it impossible to watch Night of the Living Dead without inferring some political analogies to what was happening both in and outside the world of the film. In 1974, 1 year before the “official” end of the Vietnam War American filmmaker Bob Clark directed Deathdream. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Blue Underground has issued a new 4K UHD / Blu-Ray restoration of their previous 2017 release and we can all only hope to look as good as this disc does at 50. And despite its age, “Deathdream” still maintains a prolific role in a niche part of the horror genre.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A young soldier killed in the Vietnam War inexplicably shows up at his family home on the night of his death.
HOW IS IT?
“Deathdream” is beautiful in its simplicity. A movie that despite age still holds as much relevance today as it did when it was released, even if the politics aren’t aggressive. What helps “Deathdream” stay so close to the zeitgeist is how contained the narrative is, and how authentically human Clark and writer Alan Ornsby bring the characters to life (and death). Clark’s talent, regardless of what genre he worked in, was to tell stories about everyday people who experience mundane and extraordinary things. From turkey-stealing wild dogs to a soldier zombie back from the war, these stories make horror personal and familial. “Deathdream” is not without fault or flaw, but it stands the test of time due to both a sad continued thematic relevance and some great horror on a small budget.
Efficiency is in no short supply as “Deathdream” begins with a literal bang. We see Andy, wartorn and dead brought oddly back to life for seemingly no reason. His return comes around the same time he is supposed and declared dead to his family, causing both joy and concern as he is not the same Andy he was before. Andy’s welcome home is the first time we see the seams of the family begin to tear. The excitement of his arrival doesn’t mask the stoic and lifeless face he carries with him. Visually, Andy is dead and war has killed him. His return is never explained, and even as the dramatic ending provides some more direct messaging about the film's politics we are never fully aware of why Andy. This part of the story doesn’t have to be told, which brings me efficiency. “Deathdream” continues its march of dread for 88 minutes and feels pacier than most modern films with significantly more production value. What keeps your attention are the performances, and everyone here is turning in genuinely believable turns. John Marley and Lynn Carlin as Mr. and Mrs. Brooks play two sides of the mourning coin so well you never feel you can pick a side. Mrs. Brooks ignores the obvious signs of Andy’s literal and figurative decay, while Mr. Brooks drinks himself into a stupor simply while wrestling with the guilt of not being able to turn in his undead son regardless of how much pain and suffering he’s caused. The Brooks aren’t bad people, and “Deathdream” never casts judgment because it cleverly knows many viewers would find themselves doing the same thing in said situation.
50 years is a long time, and while a lot of things hold up extremely well in “Deathdream” it is also important to acknowledge it constructively. The lack of explanation is both a cop-out and likely survival-based. To provide a reason could’ve run the risk of laying things on quite thicker, which in the still-ongoing Vietnam War could’ve presented production issues. The horror bits are there, but they aren’t as plentiful as gorehounds may like. These aren’t reasons to dislike “Deathdream” as much as they are more objective observations under a modern lens. The short runtime does help, but it comes at the cost of world-building and character development. The notable and previously mentioned performances do a lot of the heavy lifting there, but some characters like the sister and her boyfriend feel disconnected from the three mains of Charles, Christine, and Andy. Also of note, Richard Backus as Andy is a Manchurian candidate level of serious and scary with a stare that is as dead as the character he plays. “Deathdream” doesn’t take a hard stance on the war so much as it suggests that the toll is great not just for the lives lost but the families that mourn them. And with so much violence, a family can only hope they get the opportunity to bury their dead, a luxury afforded to a few aside from those who quite literally come back from the dead and take it.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
For its 50th anniversary release, Blue Underground has given “Deathdream” an all-new 4K facelift. Sourced from the original 35mm negative, like the 2017 release, this new transfer is in 4K 16-bit with Dolby Vision HDR. Most notable is just how much richer the dark scenes are in comparison to the 2K release prior. Blue Underground was rightly careful not to perform too much grain removal and clean-up that would distort the transfer just for smoother “edges”. Images from both the 2017 and 2024 releases are seen compared below.
HOW DOES IT SOUND?
One thing that hasn’t changed between this release and 2017 is that we still have the same Mono DTS-HD soundtrack with a few subtitle options such as English, French, and Spanish. Candidly, this track still holds up and there wouldn’t be much need to give this anything beyond what we have.
ANYTHING SPECIAL?
While the idea of “double dipping” releases for the newest format upgrade irks a lot of collectors, on occasion labels will sweeten the deal by including something more than just a new 4K UHD transfer. Consider Blue Underground in that company as they went ahead and produced a few new special features not included in the previous release. We first reviewed a legacy feature, Notes For A Homecoming: Interview with Composer Carl Zittrer. This 19-minute interview with composer and Bob Clark collaborator discusses how Zittrer got into film scores and his fortunate run-in with Clark in Florida. Zittrer even talks about their first film, Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things, and how instead of a demo tape he would bring in a 35mm print because he felt the music without the movie wouldn’t do it justice. That “trick” landed him and Clark their deal on “Deathdream”. Zittrer speaks fondly about the film, Clark, and the production and moments of regret on things he would’ve done differently with the score in hindsight. Zittrer is proud of his work, and like many cult classic-associated talent he also laments the financial downside of not having a movie hit commercially.
The other feature we took in was a newly produced one, The First Andy: Interview with Actor Gary Swanson. This is an odd, yet interesting interview with the actor who originally was cast as Andy before the part going to Backus. Gary’s perspective on the experience seems to be through rose-colored glasses as he confidently states now that he could’ve handled the part, despite having no prior acting experience. The interview with Swanson is intercut with old screen test footage of him. It's hard to see anyone other than Backus in the role, even though Swanson is fine, he lacks the stoicism and maturity that Backus had. This is a compelling kind of feature as this is probably the thinnest strand of connection one could have to a film’s production without being an academic or a hobbyist, but it is a worthwhile inclusion to commemorate the 50th anniversary with and make the case for upgrading more palatable. A full list of special features included in this release is below.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) and HD Blu-ray (1080p) Widescreen 1.85:1 feature presentations
Audio: 1.0 DTS-HD MA (English)
Subtitles: English SDH, Francais, Espanol
Audio Commentary #1 with Co-Producer/Director Bob Clark
Audio Commentary #2 with Writer/Make-Up Artist (Uncredited) Alan Ormsby
NEW! Audio Commentary #3 with Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
A Recollection With Star Anya Liffey and Writer/Make-Up Artist Alan Ormsby
Notes For A Homecoming – Interview with Composer Carl Zittrer
Flying Down To Brooksville – Interview with Production Manager John ‘Bud’ Cardos
Tom Savini: The Early Years
Deathdreaming – Interview with Star Richard Backus
NEW! The First Andy – Interview with Actor Gary Swanson
Screen Test with Original Andy, Gary Swanson
Alan Ormsby Student Film
Alternate Opening Titles
Theatrical Trailer
Still Galleries
LAST RITES
“Deathdream” is a trailblazing piece of dramatic horror that efficiently combines social commentary with supernatural horror. This Blue Underground release is an easy addition to your collection if you don’t already own it, and even if you do, there is more than just a slick new transfer to entice you!
THE GORY DETAILS
Thank you to the fine fiends over at MVD ENTERTAINMENT for providing a review copy for the crypt! Deathdream is available NOW and can be purchased via MVD DIRECT!
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