Review by David Paul Hellings
@HellingsOnFilm
“Eureka Entertainment to release Tom Holland’s directorial debut FRIGHT NIGHT, the iconic 1980s vampire classic starring Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale and Roddy McDowall, for the first time on Blu-ray in the UK, in a Limited Edition Dual-Format SteelBook on 26 December 2017, and a Special Dual-Format Edition on 10 April 2017.
He’s sweet, sexy, and he likes to get in late. You might think he’s the perfect neighbour. But before inviting Jerry in for a nightcap, there’s something you should know. Jerry prefers his drinks warm, red, and straight from the jugular! It’s Fright Night, a horrific howl starring Chris Sarandon as the seductive vampire and William Ragsdale as the frantic teenager struggling to keep Jerry’s deadly fangs out of his neck.
Only 17-year-old Charley Brewster (Ragsdale) knows Jerry’s bloodcurdling secret. When Charley can’t get anybody to believe him, he turns to TV horror host Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall), who used to be the “Great Vampire Killer” of the movies. Can these mortals save Charley and his sweetheart Amy (Amanda Bearse) from the wrathful bloodsucker’s toothy embrace? If you love being scared, Fright Night will give you the nightmare of your life!
Eureka Classics is proud to present this iconic horror classic in a Special Dual-Format Edition and Limited Edition Dual-Format SteelBook”.
Via Eureka
Review:
Tom Holland’s “Fright Night” arrives on blu ray in a superb 4K restoration that is sure to please the legion of fans that took this suburban vampire tale to their hearts and kept it beloved ever since. Fright Night for real.
Seeing “Fright Night” restored must be a crowd pleaser, allowing us to see so clearly the wonderful performance of the late Roddy McDowall with his pathos and empathy as the seemingly out of work and out of place Peter Vincent (along with his Planet of the Apes work and his child star period, surely McDowall’s most popular screen character).
With a first class soundtrack (along with “The Lost Boys” possibly one of the most popular soundtracks of the period) that still adds to the atmosphere rather than crush it into a bad 80s feel as so many films of the period did, having dated badly; Holland’s film has stood the test of time and remains a film that survives repeated viewing.
Tom Holland’s film remains funny, scary, well acted and made, and again looks fresh with an excellent restoration that is natural and sharp. It looks and sounds great.
Fans should check out the excellent and extensive special features, including a touching look at Roddy McDowall through the eyes of those that worked with him; and the superb two hour documentary “You’re So Cool, Brewster!”
“Fright Night” is a must, must buy; a film that survived and triumphed over a sequel, a remake and its sequel, and a host of other, lesser films that gave the 80s a bad name. This release is another reminder to the studios to make an effort with their releases. A wonderful print and lots of excellent extras make this an A+ and one for the collection.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
4K digital restoration.
Original stereo PCM soundtrack and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio options (on the Blu-ray).
English subtitles for the deaf and hearing-impaired.
You’re So Cool, Brewster! A new two-hour version of the definitive 2016 documentary on the making of Fright Night, focusing on the first film, created exclusively for this release.
What is Fright Night featurette, a 2016 video piece featuring cast and crew interviews (BLU-RAY ONLY).
Tom Holland: Writing Horror, a 2016 video piece featuring interviews with Holland and his collaborators (BLU-RAY ONLY).
Rowdy McDowall: From Apes to Bats, a 2016 video piece featuring archival footage of McDowall and cast and crew interviews (BLU-RAY ONLY).
Fear Fest 2 2008 reunion panel featuring Tom Holland, Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Stephen Geoffreys, Amanda Bearse, Jonathan Stark and moderated by Rob Galluzzo (BLU-RAY ONLY).
Shock Till You Drop Present Choice Cuts with Tom Holland and Ryan Turek, a three-part video interview on the film (BLU-RAY ONLY) | The full electronic press kit, featuring extensive on-set interviews and behind-the-scenes footage (BLU-RAY ONLY).
Stills and memorabilia from Tom Holland’s personal collection (BLU-RAY ONLY).
G-rated and R-rated theatrical trailers (BLU-RAY ONLY).
PLUS: a booklet featuring a new essay by Craig Ian Mann (STEELBOOK EXCLUSIVE)
