Strange Invaders Blu-ray - Nancy Allen / Paul Le Mat

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Michael Laughlin
USA 1983

Inspired by Sci-Fi films from the 50s, comes a terrifying story of alien invasion starring Nancy Allen (RoboCop). When Professor Bigelow's wife abruptly leaves him to return to her hometown, he has no idea that following her there would pull him into a close encounter with something otherworldly. And quite possibly sinister. The follow up film to the cult classic Strange Behavior (1981).

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In this subtly humorous, alien-invasion film by Michael Laughlin, who co-wrote the screenplay with William Condon, the aliens infiltrate a small Midwestern town in 1958 and beam the "spirits" of several of the townspeople up to their spacecraft in little blue bubbles, while they settle into the bodies of their new farm personae. But Margaret (Diana Scarwid), one of their number, leaves for life and marriage in New York and has a daughter Elizabeth by her earthling husband Charles Bigelow (Paul LeMat), a professor. After two decades or so go by, the aliens opt for returning to their home planet, but they have to first go to the city dressed as farmers and round up Margaret and her daughter. Soon Charles figures out what is going on with the help of the tough, optimistic Betty Walker (Nancy Allen), a reporter for a tabloid paper, and the two head to the town where it all started. The light contrast between the bucolic '50s and the street-wise '80s gives way to a few shocking scenes of repugnant aliens in transformation with formidable special effects.

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 16th, 1983

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Review: Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from: Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:33:37.361
Video	2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 32,961,387,324 bytes Feature: 26,494,537,728 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1405 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1405 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 Isolated Score: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1945 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1945 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles	English (SDH), none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Imprint 2.35:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 32,961,387,324 bytes Feature: 26,494,537,728 bytes Video Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by co-writer / producer / director Michael Laughlin and co-writer Bill Condon • NEW Strange Films: The Unfinished Trilogy – video essay by film historian Jarret Gahan (2024 - 24:51) • Isolated Score by composer John Addison • Trailer (1:26) Limited Edition slipcase with unique artwork Blu-ray Release Date: April 5th, 2024 Transparent Blu-ray Case inside slipcase Chapters 9

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (May 2024): Imprint have transferred Michael Laughlin's Strange Invaders to Blu-ray for their 299th release. We reviewed the 2015 Twilight Time Blu-ray of Strange Invaders, HERE and compared some captures below. In January 2024 Allied Vaughn produced another Blu-ray of the film, HERE but we don't own to compare. This has a very similar image to the Twilight Time with the same bitrate. The image may be slightly darker but overall the visuals are strong maintaining the film's heavily textured look - as part of its 50's sci-fi homage. Contrast has some decent layering and pastel colors export boldness. It looks quite consistent in-motion with no damage or speckles. I see no evidence of manipulation or noise. This Blu-ray gives a very pleasing presentation in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio - supporting the film's diffused style.

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

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use a DTS-HD Master 20 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. Strange Invaders has science-fiction related effects from space ships to alien-to-human transformations. The score was by John Addison (Cockleshell Heroes, Tom Jones, Guns at Batasi, The Man Between, A Taste of Honey, The Honey Pot, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Smashing Time, The Maggie) and adds genre charisma to the atmosphere effectively via the lossless transfer. Imprint include optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray offer the previous audio commentary, found on the Twilight Time, with director Michael Laughlin and writer William Condon (recorded separately and originally found on the 2001 DVD). It is still quite entertaining filled with talk of sci-fi, aliens and such. Like the Twilight Time we get an isolated Addison score track option, and an original theatrical trailer. Imprint ad a new 25-minute video essay by film historian Jarret Gahan entitled Strange Films: The Unfinished Trilogy. about the Michael Laughlin proposed trilogy of the early 80's Strange Behavior, Strange Invaders and (unmade) The Adventures of Michael Strange. It covers the influences including "Strange" comic book titles of the 60's, the 'red menace' scare in film and more. It's quite good.

Michael Laughlin's Strange Invaders is a very comfortable sci-fi homage / spoof with the plot carrying similarities to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and an art design of 50's Americana and small town sci-fi charm. I love the cast inclusion of Kenneth Tobey (1951's The Thing From Another World, The Man From Planet X, It Came from Beneath the Sea), June Lockhart (She-Wolf of London, the TV series Lost in Space etc.) and wonderful character actor Charles Lane (The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and many Frank Capra films.) It's a fun story of aliens living among us - tastefully and peacefully if shocking looking. I always enjoy it and have a soft spot for Nancy Allen. Her character, Betty Walker, can be seen watching 1951's The Day the Earth Stood Still, on TV, in one scene. The Imprint Blu-ray isn't worth a double-dip over the Twilight Time but it's a film I often return to. Recommended!