4K Ultra HD Review: BLUE SUNSHINE (1977)

 

BLUE SUNSHINE

Directed by: Jeff Lieberman

Distributed by:  Synapse Films / MVD Entertainment

 BLUE SUNSHINE is one of those films I have always known about, but have never seen.  I've had an old DVD copy for years, but for some reason just have never popped it in the player.   I finally had a good excuse to watch it with the Synapse Films new 4K Ultra HD release.   This is a beautiful box set that comes with both the Blu-ray, the Ultra HD disc, and a CD soundtrack of the film. It also contains a movie poster, and a booklet called "Tripping on Blue Sunshine" by the director Jeff Lieberman.   This is one of the nicest presentations I have seen in a while, it is truly a beautiful box set. 

 Here is a brief plot synopsis from the Synapse Films website:

 It starts off as a great party-just eight people in a secluded lodge. One of the guests suddenly goes on a shockingly violent, murderous rampage. There is something wrong with his hair, and pure evil in his eyes. What he does to three of the girls there is too hideous to describe. Falsely accused of the brutal killings, Jerry Zipkin (Red Shoe Diaries' Zalman King) goes on the run. More bizarre murders occur, and while trying to clear his name, Jerry discovers the shocking truth: The people losing their hair and turning into violent psychopaths may be connected to a drug each killer took a decade before. A drug known as "Blue Sunshine."

Synapse Films is proud to present Jeff Lieberman's 1977 cult-classic horror film Blue Sunshine in an all-new 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and loaded with hours of supplemental material. This three-disc set contains one 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray, one Blu-ray (1080p) and a CD soundtrack album, and is strictly limited to 4,000 copies.

Our exclusive limited edition features hard chipboard slipcase packaging with stunning new artwork by artist Wes Benscoter. Inside is a dual-wall o-card wrapped around a clear three disc Criterion-style case.

  I had no clue what to expect going into this film.  This was a unique film as most slasher or giallo films have just one killer.  This one has multiple killers.  Basically anyone that took the drug called "Blue Sunshine" a decade ago is now turning into a crazed killer.    The killers look very creepy with balding heads with splotchy hair.  They seem to have no control over their bodies or what they are doing.   It's almost like a zombie movie, but the "zombies" were never dead.   It's a unique horror movie for sure, with some science fiction and drama aspects to it as well.    

 While the movie is a fun watch, what I want to focus on in this review is the packaging.   Synapse Films has spared no expense with this one.   This is one of the most beautiful sets I have seen in awhile. 

As I mentioned above this is a 3 disc set with the BD, the UHD, and CD.  The actual plastic case the disc come in has the original cover art and is housed in a beautiful new slip case.  The slipcase then slides inside a thicker display box with brand new cover art.  

  This new box set is available now, but there were only 4000 units made, so it is a very limited edition set!   The new 4K restoration looks amazing with crystal clear picture and very vibrant colors.  Each set is loaded with the following special features:

• *  4K restoration of the original 35mm camera negative mastered in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• *  Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio original theatrical mono and a 5.1 surround sound mix supervised by director Jeff Lieberman
• *  Two audio commentaries featuring director Jeff Lieberman
• *  New introduction to the film by director Jeff Lieberman
• *  Archival 2003 interview with director Jeff Lieberman
• *  “Lieberman on Lieberman” video interview
• *  Channel Z “Fantasy Film Festival” interview with Mick Garris and Jeff Lieberman
• *  Fantasia Film Festival 4K Premiere Q&A with moderator Michael Gingold and director Jeff Lieberman
• *  Anti-drug “scare films”: LSD-25 (1967) and LSD: Insight or Insanity? (1968), courtesy of the American Genre Film Archive
• *  Jeff Lieberman’s first film The Ringer (Remastered in 4K by Synapse Films from the original camera negative)
• *  Theatrical trailers
• *  Still gallery
• *  Liner notes booklet by Jeff Lieberman, featuring a chapter on the making of Blue Sunshine from his book Day of the Living Me: Adventures of a Subversive Cult Filmmaker from the Golden Age
• *  Limited edition fold-out poster
• *  Limited edition remastered CD soundtrack (13 tracks)

Act fast and get your copy before they are gone!  

CLICK HERE to purchase the limited edition 4K Ultra HD box set