NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Severin Films Blu-ray (October 2024): Severin Films have transferred Bert I. Gordon's The Mad Bomber to Blu-ray. It is cited as being "scanned in 4K from the internegative". The 1080P image is not crisp but does improve as the film runs and is superior in the second half but an inherent softness remains - cinematography by Mr. B.I.G. himself. We've compared a couple of captures to the included TV version ("The Mad Bomber") that was censored. It is in 1.33:1 ratio, 1080P but is a large notch below the 3-minute longer "The Police Connection" feature which has a max'ed out bitrate. The TV version takes up about 13 Gig on the dual-layered disc and that version does add new scenes as well as removing assault, nudity and dead body sequences (see samples below.) It was reasonably clean if slightly inconsistent and still proving a highly watchable presentation. 

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Severin Films offers the option of DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit) in a 5.1 surround bump or 2.0 channel - in the original English language. The Mad Bomber has bomb explosion moments and gunfire that come through with depth and separation in the surround. Mostly bass is notable if not floor rattling. The Mad Bomber credits music conducted by Michael Mention (who has 'music department' credits for Witness, Ghost Story), adding marginally with unremarkable flourishes. Also can be heard is Dan Yordan's (questioned in the commentary to be writer Philip Yordan's son) Reaching Out sung by Nancy Honnold. Included is an isolated score track option in lossless. Sound quality is about the level of the video - certainly supportive and acceptable. Severin Films offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Severin Films Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Kier-La Janisse author of House of Psychotic Women: Expanded Edition: An Autobiographical Topography of Female Neurosis in Horror and Exploitation Films (Tim Lucas referred to it as one of the 10 “most vital” horror film books of all time) joined later by retired 'Bomb Squad Detective' Mike Digby (The Bombs, Bombers and Bombings of Los Angeles.) She talks about Bert I. Gordon as an exploitation director, actors Chuck Connors, Vince Edwards, Neville Brand - the common TV shows all three actors were involved, as well as American actress and photographer Cynthia MacAdams (her last role) - and how the dark tone of The Mad Bomber reminds her of Peter Bogdanovich's Targets. I agree. I thought she did a great job with exporting interesting data about the film. Kier-La is a Canadian film writer, programmer, producer, and founder of The Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies. Digby talks with authority on bombs, the types, dynamite, gun-powders, time fuses, bombers, safety, arson and more. We can also watch the film listening to an audio interview with director Bert I. Gordon conducted by David Del Valle (Six Reels Under.) There is a 27-minute video piece with Patricia Gordon remembering her father, Mr. B.I.G.. To Be In The Moment is a dozen-minute interview with actress Cynthia MacAdams. She starred in the film as "Mrs. Dorn" but has a very successful career in photography (natural light,infrared photography, and images of sacred architecture.) The Trail Of THE MAD BOMBER is a 10-minute locations featurette comparing more modern Los Angeles settings to those in the film. As mentioned included is The TV cut of The Mad Bomber, a couple of TV Spots and the package has a booklet: THE MAD BOMBER Story - an essay by Andy Turner with exclusive images from still photographer Carol Gordon.

Bert I. Gordon's The Mad Bomber has a vérité impression - either as a bio-pic or the director/producer's sparse production values. It works... uncomfortably well. A middle-aged citizen of Los Angeles, William Dorn (Chuck Connors - Kill Them All and Come Back Alone, Support Your Local Gunfighter, Naked Alibi) exhibits a 'stresser' (hey, I watched Criminal Minds; "a traumatic event which tips a potential offender over the edge and makes them act on their criminal impulses.") following the drug-overdose death of his daughter. Think Michael Douglas in Falling Down where we all get our collective envelopes pushed by the discourteous direction of society. Mr. Dorn snaps and starts dynamiting punishment meted out to the community at large. Investigating detective Geronimo Minnelli (Vince Edwards - The Night Holds Terror, Murder by Contract, The Killing) is on the case but his only witness is a serial sexual-assaulter (Neville Brand - The Turning Point, The Scarface Mob, Riot in Cell Block 11). From a story by Marc Behm (The Return of Doctor Mabuse, Charade, Help!, The Eye of the Beholder.) This is not typical Mr. B.I.G. who gave us Tormented, War of the Colossal Beast, Earth vs. the Spider, The Cyclops etc. etc. but you can't help but be reminded of the chilling The Deadly Tower with Kurt Russell or Peter Bogdanovich's Targets. Severin Films Blu-ray of The Mad Bomber has it all with an expert commentary, the TV version, audio and video interviews, a locations featurette and a booklet. Absolutely recommended.

Gary Tooze