The Toolbox Murders Blu-ray

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

directed by Dennis Donnelly
USA 1978

TOOLBOX MURDERS stars the legendary Cameron Mitchell (BLOOD AND BLACK LACE) as a balaclava-clad badman who stalks and splatters a number of nubile and frequently nude young ladies across a Hollywood apartment block. Included in the victims is the legendary Kelly Nichols (ROOMMATES) who is turned into a human pin cushion by our unapologetically evil antagonist. Banned as a video nasty in the UK, TOOLBOX MURDERS would be remade by the legendary Tobe Hooper (THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE) in 2004, but nothing beats this original nightmare which, along with HALLOWEEN, heralded a new era of slice and dice madness in the late 1970s.

Theatrical Release: March 1978 (USA)

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Comparison:

Blue Underground - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Blue Underground Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Eric Cotenas for the Blue Underground DVD Screen Caps!

1) Blue Underground - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT

2) Blue Underground Region FREE - Blu-ray - MIDDLE

3) 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

Box Covers
Distribution	Blue Underground Region 0 - NTSC	Blue Underground Region FREE - Blu-ray	88 Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:33:42	1:33:49.290	1:34:02.553
Video	1.65:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 5.14 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.66:1 Disc Size: 21,563,871,271 bytes Feature Size: 20,217,845,760 bytes Average Bitrate: 23.99 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video	1.78:1 Disc Size: 35,602,075,174 bytes Feature Size: 24,924,942,336 bytes Average Bitrate: 29.88 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Blue Underground
Bitrate: Blue Underground (Blu-ray)
Bitrate: 88 Films (Blu-ray)
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono)	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1897 kbps 7.1 / 48 kHz / 1897 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Dolby Digital EX Audio English 640 kbps 5.1-EX / 48 kHz / 640 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps / DN -4dB	DTS-HD Master Audio English 1652 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1652 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Subtitles	none	English, French, Spanish, none	none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Blue Underground Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.65:1 Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by actress Pamela Ferdin, cinematographer Gary Graver, and producer Tony Didio • I GOT NAILED IN: THE TOOLBOX MURDERS - interview with actress Marianne Walter (16:9; 8:07) • Theatrical Trailer (16:9; 2:19) • TV Spots (16:9; 0:32) • Radio Spots (2x at 0:31 each) • Poster and Still Gallery • Cameron Mitchell Bio DVD Release Date: September 30, 2003 Amaray Chapters 23	Release Information: Studio: Blue Underground 1.66:1 Disc Size: 21,563,871,271 bytes Feature Size: 20,217,845,760 bytes Average Bitrate: 23.99 Mbps Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio Commentary by actress Pamela Ferdin, cinematographer Gary Graver, and producer Tony Didio • I GOT NAILED IN: THE TOOLBOX MURDERS - interview with actress Marianne Walter (16:9; 8:07) • Theatrical Trailer (16:9; 2:19) • TV Spots (16:9; 0:32) • Radio Spots (2x at 0:31 each) Blu-ray Release Date: January 26th, 2010 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 23	Release Information: Studio: 88 Films 1.78:1 Disc Size: 35,602,075,174 bytes Feature Size: 24,924,942,336 bytes Average Bitrate: 29.88 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio Commentary with Slasher Expert and author of Teenage Wasteland, Justin Kerswell, moderated by Calum Waddell • Slashback Memories - David Del Valle Remembers Actor Cameron Mitchell (24:33) • Flesh and Blood - An Interview with Actress Kelly Nichols (31:10) • Theatrical Trailer (2:19) • Booklet Notes • Reversible Sleeve with alternate artwork Blu-ray Release Date: December 4th, 2017 Red Blu-ray Case Chapters 23

Comments

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

ADDITION: 88 Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - December 17': The 88 Films 'The Toolbox Murders' Blu-ray is cited as a "New 2017 4K Transfer from Positive Elements in correct 1.85:1 Theatrical Aspect Ratio" with 'Additional Expert Colour Correction'. It is, however, in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Colors do shift - generally skin tones cool, the image is much brighter and some information is lost in the frame as compared to the 1.66:1 AR of the Blue Underground. The 88 Films has a higher bitrate. It's going to be a personal call, but as we always say; it's good to have choices.

88 Films give the option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround (16-bit) and a linear PCM 2.0 channel mono. The score is by George Deaton, who also played the Preacher in The Toolbox Murders. 88 Films also offers optional English subtitles - in a white font - see sample below. The UK Blu-ray is Region 'B'-locked.

88 Films offers an excellent audio commentary with Slasher Expert and author of Teenage Wasteland, Justin Kerswell, moderated by Calum Waddell and I enjoyed the discussion. Slashback Memories has 25-minute of David Del Valle remembering actor Cameron Mitchell. Flesh and Blood is a 1/2 hour interview with actress Kelly Nichols who played Dee Ann (and who was credited as Marianne Walter). There is also a theatrical trailer, liner notes an a reversible sleeve with alternate artwork (see below.)

This is an excellent release - 4K restored transfer, optional of mono audio, commentary and great packaging! It's wonderful to see 88 Films put in the extra effort. Certainly recommended to fans of the slasher genre!

***

Although THE TOOLBOX MURDERS was an early Blue Underground release, the single-layer disc seems to have been taken from the same master as their new Blu-ray. Naturally, the Blu-ray has the edge in detail. Unlike some of their early Blu-ray releases, Blue Underground have included the original mono mix along with the Dolby Digital EX and DTS-HD 7.1 upmix. Since the original mix has been included and most of the extras ported over from the SD release (other than the poster/still gallery and Mitchell bio), the Blu-ray is the clear choice.

Eric Cotenas

I concur with Eric - not only is the A/V Predictably improved, with a higher level of grain, on the Blu-ray but it's actually cheaper than the DVD at the writing of this comparison.

- Gary Tooze

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(Blue Underground - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Blue Underground Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT)