Bloody Moon became famous when it was banned as a Video Nasty in the UK back in the 1980s. Neglected ever since (except for a hand full of VHS and one sub par Dutch DVD), Severin Films has finally brought this Jess Franco slasher to US/UK soil. Uncut!
FILM- Miguel, a freakishly scarred murderer, is fresh out of the loony bin; released to the care of his sister, Manuela. He's been locked away for 5 years; after (donning a Mickey Mouse mask and) cutting a young girl apart at a party. Manuela runs a Language School in Spain; brimming with young, beautiful girls. Miguel begins to stalk one in particular, Angela. He tries to return to the incestuous relationship with Manuela they shared years earlier, but she denies him. She says people wouldn't understand them; and if it was just them, things could go back to normal. Soon, Angela's friends are gruesomely murdered, one by one. Is there a new killer on the loose, terrorizing the students? Oh had Miguel taken his sisters words a little too literal...
Bloody Moon is the only true slasher from Euro sleaze king Jess Franco; who's films range from excellent (She Killed in Ecstasy) to abominations (Diamonds of Kilimanjaro). Bloody Moon is an above average slasher; veering away from Franco's stereotypical sleaze in favor of gore... And I mean GORE! Everything from stabbings, to a decapitation with possibly the biggest saw I have ever seen. The film lacks on plot, but has enough to string one scene of mutilation to the next. This Euro slasher from the 80's promises gore; and it delivers nicely. 7/10.
PICTURE/ AUDIO- Severin has done a nice job with the transfer. There is hardly any print damage; and the picture looks nice and firm. However, some cut scenes of gore have been restored from what appear to be a VHS source. A really bad VHS source. These scenes are few and far between, but the quality and brightness change is noticeable. I can't complain, because at least it is uncut. These added scenes really can't be scored with the rest of the picture quality though. 8/10 for the movie, 5/10 for the added scenes.
The audio is surprisingly nice; even during the scenes with lesser picture quality. The dubbing is humerus in places, which makes me wish the original audio track was present. The soundtrack is very reflective of Euro Horror films, and adds some "fun" to the movie. The audio we get is good, but I was left wanting a little more. 6/10.
EXTRAS- I was expecting just a theatrical trailer. I was surprised to find not only do we get the trailer, but an interview with Franco himself; a very interesting look at his hate for the slasher Sub- Genre. On this DVD (and almost every other Severin release) the extras are about quality; not quantity. 7/10.
Order from Severin Films!
Posts
