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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (October 2023): For Kino Cult #2, Kino have transferred Phil Smoot's Alien Outlaw to Blu-ray. It's stated that "Alien Outlaw is presented here in a director-approved 4K restoration from the original camera negatives". It is quite grainy - which is pleasing - and only has a few untoward vertical scratches. It's on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate and I imagine this is the best it will ever look on digital. It's at the mercy of the elements which seem in stable condition. It is in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and colors appear authentic.

NOTE: We have added 68 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. Alien Outlaw has some quirky alien noises, fire, explosions and other effects plus plenty of gun/rifle fire. It has fairly modest bass. The unremarkable score was by Marcus Kearns (his only film credit.) There is a very country opening-credit song. It's all very grassroots but clean and audible in the lossless transfer. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Kino Cult Blu-ray offers two audio commentaries by Director/Writer Phil Smoot with the cast and crew that I believe were on previous DVD releases. I have not indulged. They Came From the Swamps is a new 22-minute featurette with Smoot and some of the cast; Kari Anderson (Jesse Jamison), Gil Newsom (Peter), and Mary Dalton (casting agent.) There is also a 9-minute interview with editor Sherwood Jones (The Dark Power), some news conference and behind the scenes footage plus a dozen minutes of archival interviews. These interviews by Sunset Carson and were videotaped near the shooting location where the crew were housed. Sunset used those interviews as part of a syndicated television program featuring his and other 'B" westerns. There is also 5-minutes of "Home Movie" footage which appears to be more 'behind-the-scenes' B-roll. There is a revrisible cover sleeve (see below.)

We reviewed the first Kino Cult label Blu-ray release; Jesús Franco's Lorna the Exorcist and the third will be Phil Smoot's own The Dark Power also from 1985 (his own directorial features.) Alien Outlaw is the second from the new sub-label and has minor contribution from American B-western star of the 1940s, Sunset Carson, in his last screen role. It also has 68-year old Alfred "Lash" LaRue, who originally screen tested by Warner Bros. but was rejected because he looked too much like Humphrey Bogart. He eventually made some independent westerns made by the Ormond Family. Alien Outlaw has a lot of Kari Anderson cheesecake in her 'Jesse Jamison' performance outfit. It was her only screen role as she was more noted as a make-up artist. It's a sci-fi western - not achieving strong status in either genre. The aliens appearance are a function of the micro-budget, but the story is not too bad injecting humor in a few spots. Kino have done what the can for this title on Blu-ray with 4K-restored a/v and bonus extras. It offers some Indie-charms if you are in the mood. Those keen will be pleased with the package.

Gary Tooze