Blu-ray Review: DEMONOID (1981)

DEMONOID
a.k.a. Macabra
Directed by:  Alfredo Zacarías
Distributed by:  Vinegar Syndrome

  Once again, the great folks at Vinegar Syndrome have given us another great release of an
old classic film. The films is called DEMONOID, and if you have never seen it before, I urge you to check out Vinegar Syndrome's recent blu-ray release of the film.  Here is the basic plot of the film from the film's imdb.com page:

  A British woman visits her husband at the Mexican mine he is attempting to reopen and discovers that the workers refuse to enter the mine fearing an ancient curse. The couple enter the mine to prove there is no danger and inadvertently release a demon which possess people's left hands and forces them to behave in a suitably diabolical manner. The only way for a possessed person to free themselves from this torment is to cut off their left hand after which it scurries away in search of its next victim.

  This film was released back in 1981, but somehow this one had flown under my radar.  I had never seen this film, and in fact, I had never even heard of this film before I got this new blu-ray release of the film.  The transfer is beautiful, it looks great on Blu-ray in this new HD version.   The film itself is lots of fun and includes some great effects and lots of gore, including the opening scene when we witness the possessed hand being chopped off a person for the first time.  From then on we see the mysterious demon hand possess person after person, each ending with a bad result.  The makeup effects are pretty good, although a little dated for sure  (fake blood looked like red paint for some reason in older films).  
 
  This release is an amazing one, with tons of great special features, and one of my favorite things about DVD/BD's.....reversible cover art.  I wish all films came with reversible cover art.  It's a very simple thing, but I love it.  It's a neat way to customize your cover and choose which design to display.

  DEMONOID is available now on blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome and contains the following special features:

*  Region Free Blu-ray and DVD Combo
*  Restored in 2k from 35mm original camera negatives
*  All special features on both Blu-ray and DVD
*  Alternate International version: MACABRA (90 min) * 
*  New video interview with Director Alfredo Zacarias
*  Multiple theatrical trailers and TV spot
*  Reversible cover with International MACABRA artwork
*  Original artwork gallery
*  English SDH Subtitles
*  Optional French soundtrack for MACABRA


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray