NOTE: We have added 30 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

The audio is available in Dolby Digital Audio (either 5.1 or 2.0 lossless) sadly lacking the 88 Films Blu-ray inclusion of linear PCM or even 24-bit DTS-HD Master audio. Still, the dialogue is audible and Pino Donaggio's (Beyond Evil, Don't Look Now, Dressed to Kill, Blow Out, Body Double, Blow Out, Carrie, Raising Cain) score comes through quite strong....there isn't much to complain about audio-wise. Sadly there are still no English (or otherwise) subtitles on this Region 'Free' Blu-ray from Full Moon Pictures.

The extras would appear to be the similar to the previous 88 Films Blu-ray release (see comments below). The "Exit Through the Chop Shop" making-of is a 24.5-minute making of that consists of footage previously available (interviews with David Schmoeller) and was made for the 2014 Full Moon Pictures Blu-ray release. The same commentary that appeared before returns here, with a stills gallery as well. The film's trailer and a bunch of other trailers round out the extras on the Blu-ray disc. Included is a DVD edition of the film.

"Tourist Trap" remains a personal favorite, as far as overlooked slasher films go. Chuck Conners hams it up, but the real star of the show is the fantastic set design and props / special effects on display. While I know fans have been waiting a long time for an Uncut version of the film to be released in North America in 1080p, a part of me feels quite underwhelmed, perhaps if better source material is found, the film could be released on a dual-layered Blu-ray disc in a new transfer with a better bitrate and improved contrast... until then, one could do much worse than this new Full Moon Pictures Blu-ray.

Colin Zavitz

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ADDITION: 88 Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray - April 14': The new HD transfer is a significant leap beyond the older DVDs. Colors improve to be more realistic (note flesh tones), grain textures become more prevalent and there is some differences in framing. The Blu-ray adds information on the sides of the frame but loses a bit to the top and bottom. There may be a tinge of teal-leaning but this pales in relation to the striking improvement over SD. Contrast is superior in the 1080P and certain scenes even exhibit depth. While still not a dynamic example of the format - this has dramatically advanced. It is only single-layered but as a decent bitrate.

Audio is given the option for a very healthy DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround bump at 3255 kbps or a linear PCM stereo at 2304 kbps. I opted for the surround and while there weren't a ton of crisp separations there was some impressive depth. Effects seem to have benefitted from the lossless as did the score by Pino Donaggio (Don't Look Now, Dressed to Kill, The Howling, Crawlspace). There are no subtitles but the disc is region FREE.

Extras mimic the previous digital editions (see comments below) only with a NEW audio commentary by director David Schmoeller and 7-minute interview as well as a trailer.

NOTE: 88 Films has commented on the running time: "We're aware through the comments on its page that the running time on Tourist Trap has become an issue. We did notice this when we received the master from the US and did raise the issue with Full Moon but ultimately this is the only HD master available and we felt we had to run with it to give the UK fans at least the equivalent of the US Blu-ray.

We considered adding in the missing excerpts from the DVD master but that would have created noticeable shifts in image quality and ruined the 5.1 mix. Also this release does include a brand new commentary by David Schmoeller and we're not aware that he had any issues with the master when he was recording that.

We're very sorry if anyone feels their Blu-ray is not as good as it should be but hopefully you will feel that the new special features, lossless sound, booklet notes and reversible art will make up for the slightly shorter running time than our previous DVD release."

This is a solid horror - even praised by the author in Stephen King's book Danse Macabre, noting the scary opening scene. I enjoyed it - although a bit of a come-down for Chuck Connors and an 'interesting' early performance from Tanya Roberts. It has some appreciated 'polish' tucked into the grassroots milieu. Genre fans will applaud the new a/v. In a sea of weak efforts - this stands-out as more professional. Recommended to those keen. 

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