“THE TOOLBOX MURDERS” (1978) 4K UHD + BLU-RAY EDITION REMINDS US THE THRILLS CULT CLASSICS CAN BRING

These days movie fans tend to treat special addition DVDs in high regard to movie memorabilia. We collect them, experience them, and get a chance to enjoy inside looks and commentaries that make us feel like we were there. It’s nice to think that we have all this enjoyment at our fingertips. If you look back at some of the classic movies from the ’70s and ’80s, they didn’t offer that back then. It didn’t seem that special features/commentaries came out until the golden age of DVDs. Occasionally you would have a trailer or deleted scenes, and if you were lucky, you would get a blooper reel. 

Looking back on what we used to have available and now the fact that most films these days are packed with Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD special features. We have it pretty good as horror movie fans and really just movie fans in general. We also get the joy of re-experiencing some of the classic films from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s that get a revamped/upgraded modern look to them. It gives us a chance as horror fans to feel that we are watching these films all over again for the very first time. 

Recently I got the chance to review and watch the remastered 4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray of the original exploitation classic “The Toolbox Murders”. This movie stars Cameron Mitchell (Blood and Black Lace), Wesley Eure (Land of the Lost), Aneta Corsaut (The Blob), Marianne Walter (adult film star Kelly Nichols), and former child actress Pamelyn Feredin (The Beguiled). 

The movie focuses on a quiet apartment complex in Los Angeles where a deranged and psychotic handyman goes on a killing spree. He viciously murders women he finds to be “immoral” or “sinners” with the tools of the handyman trade. These disgusting and gruesome killings are just a small part of this twisted story. The violence and insanity that had most critics turning their backs on this movie caused it to be banned by censors, and very enjoyed by horror fans all over the world. 

In my opinion, this is a true classic horror movie. It was my first time watching this and I really see why it is such a cult classic. The way the murderer kills his victims, the plot around the reason behind his killing, and some of the surprise deaths involved had me sitting on the edge of my seat, terrified and hooked on the story unfolding before me. When you find out the murderer is doing this solely to get back at the unfortunate death of his daughter years ago and the young woman, he kidnaps named Laurie (portrayed by Pamelyn Feredin) having to go through a terrible hostage situation while being treated by the killer as if she was his dead daughter was insane. Not to mention how the dynamic between Kent (portrayed by Wesley Eure) and Joey (portrayed by Nicolas Beauvy) offers a friendly yet twisted friendship between them. 

Not only was I impressed with the movie, but I was very impressed with how this 4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray was packaged. I love it anytime when a horror movie gets a modern update, they add the classic poster art to it. The poster art is truly stunning and fitting for the era this film came out. It gives off that classic “James Bond” theatrical poster feel but with the twist or terror you know you are in for by watching this cult classic. 

Another thing I greatly enjoyed was the large number of special features this product had to offer. They are jam-packed with so many options for you to enjoy. It gives you such a detailed insight that helped create one of the most enjoyed exploitation horror classics. The special features for this movie include:

• Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) and HD Blu-ray (1080p) Widescreen 1.66:1 feature presentation

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (English); 5.1 DTS-HD (English); 1.0 DTS-HD (English)

• Subtitles: English SDH, Francais, Espanol

• Audio Commentary #1 with Producer Tony DiDio, Director of Photography Gary Graver, and Star Pamelyn Ferdin

• NEW! Audio Commentary #2 with Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson

• NEW! Drill Sergeant – Interview with Director Dennis Donnelly

• NEW! Tools Of the Trade – Interview with Star Wesley Eure

• NEW! Flesh And Blood – Interview with Actress Kelly Nichols

• I Got Nailed in THE TOOLBOX MURDERS – Interview with Actress Marianne Walter

• NEW! Slashback Memories – David Del Valle Remembers Cameron Mitchell

• NEW! 'They Know I Have Been Sad' – Video Essay by Film Historian Amanda Reyes and Filmmaker Chris O'Neill

• Theatrical Trailer

• TV Spot

• Radio Spots

• NEW! Poster & Still Gallery

I have to say I am a huge fan of commentaries. It gives me the feeling that I am watching the film with the stars and filmmakers, while also giving me all the horror movie moments for me to nerd out to. The commentaries in this movie, as well as the interviews, are so enjoyable. The insights by the film historians give even more of a deeper look into this movie and a different perspective. It is rare to even see film historians giving their two cents on a movie, but I do love an in-depth look at the movies I enjoy. 

Getting a chance to watch the theatrical trailer for this was also a nice feature they added, considering it is the original TV spot. It makes you wonder what people must have been feeling when the movie first came out. “Is this going to be too scary for me?” or “Will I be able to sleep tonight?” may have been running through their heads. This is an era in horror where many films about home invasion and killings were being made, due to the high rate of them happening in the real world. Nothing is more terrifying than a real situation being portrayed on the silver screen. It gets you jumpy and even more scared to think how it would be if that ever happened to you. 

I must say I highly recommend the purchase of this 4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray of “The Toolbox Murders”. Whether you have been a fan of it for years or it is a first-time viewing, you will be immersed in the world that the filmmakers created. Not to mention it is an excellent addition to your movie collection, just solely based on the look of it. 

The 4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray of “The Toolbox Murders” has made its worldwide premiere and is now available. Be sure to add it to your collection today by purchasing it online from MVD Entertainment group here.

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