Special Features
4K digital restoration, supervised by cinematographer Tokusho Kikumura, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack
New conversation between director Kiyoshi Kurosawa and filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Interviews with actors Masato Hagiwara and Koji Yakusho
Interview from 2003 with Kurosawa
Trailers and teaser
PLUS: An essay by critic Chris Fujiwara
“Fright Night”
Roger wasn’t the biggest fan of the horror genre, but even he recognized how much Tom Holland‘s clever vampire flick stood out in 1985, released amidst a glut of slasher pics. An old-fashioned blend of something like “Rear Window” with Bram Stoker—it’s not a killer next door, but a vampire—this is a really fun movie that seems to have a growing fan base every year. And Roger’s last line in his review is a smart one: “”Fright Night” is not a distinguished movie, but it has a lot of fun being undistinguished.” I’d argue that it’s a little more distinguished that Roger gave it credit for being but he’s right that the main drive here is “fun,” and the increasing fan base has a blast with this one every time. Knowing that this is a cult classic with a growing cult, the new 4K steelbook is PACKED with special features, including a bunch of new ones with some famous faces. “Hannibal” creator Bryan Fuller leads a conversation with star Amanda Bearse about the film’s queer subtext that’s phenomenal and a 35th anniversary script read with special guests is a joy. This is one of the coolest Blu-ray releases of the year in any genre, not just horror.
Special Features
DISC ONE – 4K BLU-RAY
4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
ALL-NEW DOLBY ATMOS AUDIO TRACK + 5.1 + original Dolby Stereo
DISC TWO – BLU-RAY
4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
Audio: 5.1 + original Dolby Stereo
NEW Deleted Scene Storyboards – Tom Holland guides us through the film’s only deleted scene, using his personal pre-production storyboards
NEW Holland/Beyda Spec Trailer with an Introduction by Tom Holland – the never-before-seen alternate trailer cut by Fright Night editor Kent Beyda with the guidance—and narration—of Tom Holland
Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Tom Holland, Actors Chris Sarandon & Jonathan Stark, Moderated by Filmmaker Tim Sullivan
Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Tom Holland, Actors William Ragsdale & Stephen Geoffreys, FX Artist Randall Cook, Moderated by Journalist Jeremy Smith and Filmmaker Tim Sullivan
You’re So Cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night
What is Fright Night
Tom Holland: Writing Horror
Theatrical Trailers
DISC THREE – BLU-RAY
NEW Fright Night 35th Anniversary Script Read – an anniversary cast reunion and script reading featuring writer/director Tom Holland and special guests including Rosario Dawson, Jason Patric, and many more!
NEW The Queer Lens: Bryan Fuller in Conversation with Amanda Bearse – a candid discussion between Fright Night aficionado Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror) and Fright Night star Amanda Bearse about the Gothic’s queer roots, the film’s queer subtext, and its metaphorical power
NEW A Novel Approach: The Splatterpunk Story of the Fright Night Novelization – Tom Holland, Fright Night novelization authors John Skipp and Craig Spector, and publisher Mark Alan Miller discuss how the progenitors of the splatterpunk genre came to work on the book, their writing process, and the novel’s enduring legacy
NEW SFX Storyboard Comparisons – a selection of original storyboards from key effects sequences, compared with their final filmed versions
Roddy McDowall: From Apes to Bats
Tom Holland and Amanda Bearse Talk Fright Night
Round Table with Tom, Stephen and William
Shock Till You Drop Presents Choice Cuts with Tom Holland and Ryan Turek
First Ever Fright Night Reunion Panel – Fear Fest 2 (2008)
Weekend of Hell Panel with Amanda and Stephen
Vintage EPK with Behind-the-Scenes Raw Footage
“I Know What You Did Last Summer“
Released so close to the similar “Scream” that some people reportedly thought it was a part of the same universe, this other Kevin Williamson movie didn’t make nearly the same waves as the Wes Craven one but that doesn’t mean that horror collectors don’t want it in 4K! It’s a movie that’s a bit better than its reputation even if it’s also a movie that Roger definitely hated (“After the screening was over and the lights went up, I observed a couple of my colleagues in deep and earnest conversation, trying to resolve twists in the plot. They were applying more thought to the movie than the makers did. A critic’s mind is a terrible thing to waste.”) Compared to “Scream,” this undeniably falls apart, but I think it’s solid mainstream horror escapism, an easy diversion if you’re looking for something from this period from your favorite genre. And the 4K release even has new deleted scenes and an alternate ending! I bet Roger would still hate it even with the different ending.