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

ADDITION: Shout! Factory Blu-ray (May 2019): Scream Factory show us 2 cuts of the film "The Chosen", also known as "Holocaust 2000" and "Rain of Fire". The two cuts are both held on a dual-layered Blu-ray. The alternate US cut is presented in 1.85:1, while the original European version is shown in the 2.35:1 theatrical release aspect ratio. The US cut has a supportive bitrate whereas the the EU cut has a higher one. That is not where the differences end. The EU cut shows finer details, looking sharper and more defined than the US cut. The EU cut is also drastically brighter, with stronger blacks as well. Colors are also very different, notice the shot of Kirk Douglas and his son's character at the funeral, the US version shows grey skies, whereas the EU has an eerie blue-ish hue. Also see that screen capture of Kirk Douglas in front of the bulldozer? There are these moments that look like a bad print, though they are not frequent. If it's not already clear, the EU cut is certainly my preferred transfer, though the US cut doesn't just feature a different ending, as certain scenes are edited differently. So fans still may have a good reason for checking out the US' cut as well. Both versions seem to have similar damage marks (notice the shot with the helicopter, pay particular attention to the rear of the camel) though they are few and far between.

Both the EU and US cuts of the film feature a 24-bit 2.0 DTS-HD Master audio track. Dialogue is clear and audible, though the quality can sound a little flat at times. The suspenseful score is courtesy of the iconic Ennio Morricone (The Black Belly of the Tarantula,The Fifth Cord, Luna, A Bullet for the General, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, U Turn, Stay As You Are etc. etc.) and really helps build tension throughout the film. There are optional English subtitles on this Region 'A' Blu-ray from Scream Factory (Shout! Factory).

The sole extra on Scream Factory's Blu-ray is the film's theatrical trailer. The US cut is also listed as an extra, though I have discussed this above.

Scream Factory bring the truly bizarre Italian occult film, "The Chosen (Holocaust 2000)" to Blu-ray. The European cut of the film features a darker, more ambiguous ending. In the alternate US version, a new ending was added that wraps things up (I'll avoid spoilers). Worth checking out this film, for all its eccentricities and over-the-top performances (including from Kirk Douglas). 

Colin Zavitz