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

ADDITION: Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray (June 2023): Umbrella Entertainment have transferred Johannes Hartmann + Sandro Klopfstein's Mad Heidi to Blu-ray. It is shot on digital and is as crisp and sharp as you can imagine a modern film appearing in this 1080P format. Really, it is flawless and the computer-generated effects are seamless. 

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Umbrella Entertainment have the options of DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround and stereo tracks (24-bit) in the original English language. Mad Heidi is chock-full of violence with intense effects - guns, explosions, fire, slicing beaufetier swords, battle-axes etc..  There are many impressive separations in the robust surround transfer. The score is credited to Mario Batkovic. Umbrella Entertainment offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray offers two new commentaries. The first by director's Johannes Hartmann and Sandro Klopfstein and a second with actors Alice Lucy and Casper Van Dien and directors Hartmann and Klopfstein. I only sampled - a lot of production hurdles overcome, Lucy's memories and experiences etc. There is a 23-minute Making of Documentary with cast etc., a stunt reel showing the many dramatic stunts in the film from behind-the-scenes. There is a "Funding Teaser" (it was made without studio support - solely crowd-funded by movie fans around the globe) and lastly is a teaser and a trailer.

Johannes Hartmann + Sandro Klopfstein's Mad Heidi is a politically-satirical, dystopian take on Johanna Spyri 1880's book Heidi about about an innocent girl orphaned at the age of five, who is sent to live with her Grandfather in the Swiss Alps. There is still the beautiful scenery - reminiscent (intentionally) of The Sound of Music - but in Mad Heidi society is controlled by a Nazi-esque cheese conglomerate and their President - a Mr. Meili (played by Casper Van Dien of similar themed Starship Troopers fame.) Titular Heidi gets 'mad' when the state murders her boyfriend unnecessarily and locks her up in a nasty prison. She escapes and sets in-motion her violent revenge with Ridley Scott Gladiator in the finale along with zombifications. Lots of excessive gore, a smattering of nudity and over-the-top fun. I couldn't help but be reminded of satirical Hobo With a Shotgun. I admitted that I enjoyed it although it probably went on a bit too long. The Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray gives an impressive presentation, two commentaries and more. I suspect that you get the idea about the film - it has some positive qualities that might make it worthy of a fun spin one night. I may even watch it again one day or at least show some friends.

Gary Tooze