DVD Corner

Nightbreed 4K UHD Review

“Nightbreed” is a different sort of monster movie. 

Based on the Clive Barker novel “Cabal,” “Nightbreed” is a feature film adaptation of that story that Clive Barker also wrote and directed. Over the years there have been many cuts of the film from the theatrical, the Cabal Cut and more recently the Director’s Cut. The horror tale revolves around a man (Aaron Boone) that becomes framed for the murders that his serial killer psychotherapist (Dr. Decker) committed. Boone has been having dreams of a place called Midian where monsters known as Nightbreed dwell. To make a long story short, Boone becomes a Nightbreed himself and ends up in Midian. The story doesn’t end there. Boone’s girlfriend (Lori) in the human world is seeking answers about Boone and finds her way to Midian as well. The psychotic Dr. Decker also makes it his mission to venture to Midian (along with a group of cops) to wipe out the Nightbreed.

Having previously released the title on Blu-ray, Scream Factory has given 1990’s cult horror favorite “Nightbreed” the 4K treatment…sort of. The theatrical cut gets a 4K upgrade, but the superior Director’s Cut is still a Blu-ray only release for some reason. It’s no secret that the theatrical cut is a mess. Not only was Clive Barker unhappy with it, but the movie itself is clunky, choppy and incomplete. It’s the type of movie that you can tell the studio interfered with. While many out there prefer the epic Cabal Cut, the Director’s Cut feels like a complete version. Yes, the editing is still odd in spots, but the story is more fleshed out and bad scenes have been removed. 

What’s really striking about “Nightbreed” now is that this is the type of movie that would never be made today with its big practical sets, an incredible array of detailed costumes and creature make-up/prosthetics by Image Animation, big stunts and explosions, and a gutsy story about humans being the real monsters. It is all those elements (and Danny Elfman’s eerie score) that make the movie so rewarding looking back at it 33 years. Perhaps that is just nostalgia talking, but horror has always been more effective with practical visuals. Moreover, “Nightbreed” is also a great visual representation of the twisted mind of Barker in its exploration of prophecy, violence, monsters, a secret society, and  sexuality.

Cast wise, the movie contains some real horror icons. David Cronenberg steals the movie as the unsettling killer Dr. Decker (who has a freaky underrated mask). Doug Bradley (of Pinhead fame) shines as the Nightbreed Dirk Lylesberg. Anne Bobby is in many ways the lead of the movie for good chunks of the story and does a fine job of shepherding it. Hugh Ross also owns the screen as the oddball Narcisse as well.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p and 1.78:1 for the Director’s Cut. How does it look? The good news is the theatrical has been given a new 4K scan which results in better image quality and richer colors. The bad news is the Director’s Cut did not get the same treatment (although the Blu-ray still looks exquisite).

Audio Tracks: 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 2.0 DTS-HD MA for the Theatrical Cut and the Director’s Cut. How does it sound? Both audio options deliver satisfactory audio experiences.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy of the theatrical cut and director’s cut
* Theatrical trailer
* An intro to the director’s cut by Clive Barker and Mark Alan Miller.
* Commentary on the director’s cut by Clive Barker and Mark Alan Miller.
*  “Fire! Fights! Stunts!: 2nd Unit Shooting”- Andy Armstrong discusses making the action sequences.
* “Making Monsters: Interviews With Makeup Effects Artists”- The title says it all.
* “Tribes Of The Moon: The Making Of Nightbreed”- The centerpiece of the extras is this 72 minute making of documentary on the production that contains film clips, cast and crew interviews, production stories, discussions about Clive Barker, and more.
* Commentary on the 4K theatrical cut by critics Adrian J. Smith and David Flint (not listed on the extras)
* Matte painting tests and makeup tests.
* 22 minutes of deleted/alternate scenes and an extended torture scene
* “Monster Prosthetics Masterclass” covers the makeup work. Behind-the-scenes photos are included.
* “Cutting Compromise” is all about the editing.
* “The Painted Landscape” covers the wondrous work of concept artist legend Ralph McQuarrie.
* Rehearsal test
* Extensive still galleries for early sketches, a deleted scene, poster and pre-production art, on the set of “Nightbreed,” and the cast and crew.
* “Stop Motion Lost Footage”- A look at the stop-motion elements that were cut out.

July 31, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | 90's Movie, Clive Barker, David Cronenberg, Horror Movie, Nightbreed 4K UHD Review, Nightbreed: The Director's Cut, Scream Factory