Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Film Ventures International

Video: Scorpion Releasing

 

Disc:

Region: FREE! (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:37:37.893

Disc Size: 23,900,312,359 bytes

Feature Size: 18,454,947,840 bytes

Video Bitrate: 18.09 Mbps

Chapters: 33

Case: Standard Blu-ray case

Release date: November 26th, 2013

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 2.35:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3189 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3189 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1870 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1870 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Isolated Score: Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB

 

Subtitles:

None

 

Extras:

• Trivia Segment - Katrina's Nightmare Theatre (7:32)

• Isolated Score

• Interview with Jon Cedar (17:58)

• Interview with Paul Mantee (9:43)

• Trailer (:32)

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: The Terrifying Movie Of A World Gone Mad!

Scientists warn that the depletion of the earth's ozone layer is reaching critical levels, particularly in higher altitudes. How critical? Enough to unleash the vengeful wrath of the entire animal kingdom! No human is safe, particularly a group of nature-loving hikers (including Leslie Nielsen, NAKED GUN, AIRPLANE, Richard Jaeckel, GRIZZLY, Jon Cedar, THE MANITOU, Lynda Day George, PIECES)) lead by their guide (Christopher George, GRIZZLY, MORTUARY) who are constantly menaced by every conceivable mountain-dwelling creature. Dogs, rats, snakes, hawks, owls, mountain lions and bears are out to send a clear message about chlorofluorocarbon abuse.

Director William Girdler follows up his 1976 hit film, Grizzly, with this eco-sensitive, nature-runs-amok thrill-ride. Now see it from a brand new HD master from the original IP in correct widescreen scope format, along with a brand new 5.1 mix, first time anywhere in the world!

 

 

The Film:

An interesting low-budget entry in the post-Jaws animals-run-amok genre (which also owes more than a little to Hitchcock's The Birds), this noisy, violent thriller features the prophetic premise of a widening gap in the ozone layer (thanks to human indulgences in hairspray and other aerosol products) which unleashes brain-frying radiation and causes assorted woodland creatures to go for the throats of unsuspecting Sierra backpackers. As if that weren't horrific enough, the poor kids are also placed in the position of defending themselves against a rampaging Leslie Nielsen -- whose hammy performance will probably have fans of the Naked Gun series and their ilk waiting for a punch line that never arrives. Perennial B-movie couple Christopher George and Lynda Day George round out the cast. Day of the Animals is also known as Something Is out There.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

Twelve ill-assorted people (and twelve low-voltage performers) on a survival trek in the High Sierras are attacked by bears, wolves, birds, snakes, dogs - all of whom aren't feeling quite themselves. The cause of their unease is ultra-violet rays, seeping through an atmosphere polluted with aerosol sprays. The result is the most routine kind of thrills, packed with all the lack of imagination Girdler lavished on Grizzly.

Excerpt from TimeOut located HERE

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

Day of the Animals looks decent on Blu-ray from Scorpion Releasing.  The 1080P image quality showcases bright colors and crisp detail in close-ups (all the animals!).  This is only single-layered with a low bitrate but seems to support the film's best attributes well enough. I noted no artifacts and contrast seemed adept. Daylight scenes are more impressive but the very dark scenes exhibiting little noise. This Blu-ray transfers the film at the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. There are instances of depth and the California forests and mountains look impressive in HD. It's not the most dynamic presentation but for this hopeless 'B' effort it gives good video. 

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

They seem quite proud of their DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround remix at 3189 kbps. And it has some potency. It's not always the best separated but does export some intense depth utilizing Lalo Schifrin's score to its best. Yes, I can endorse the lossless score although it won't make-up for the film. No subtitles are offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

 

Extras :

Scorpion Releasing try to add some after-flavor but you'd need a potent sorbet to rid yourself of this 'bad taste' after viewing 'Day of the Animals'. Channeling the film there is a 'Trivia Segment' morphed from Katrina's Nightmare Theatre - goofy and cute for about 7.5 minutes. The prolific composer Lalo Schifrin's (Man on a Swing, Dirty Harry etc. etc.) score is available in isolation for listening without the torture of the film. There are interviews with Jon Cedar (Frank Young from the film) for a lengthy 18-minutes and Paul Mantee (Roy Moore) running just under 10-minutes. Lastly we get a trailer - all accessible from the lone menu screen.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Let's see - Christopher George's irritatingly poor Alabama-style accent, Leslie Nielson's fully-baked 'ham' performance or the incessant close-ups of animals at regular intervals - something's gotta give, folks! Yes, this is bad - but it has some of the 'so bad, it's good' 70's nostalgia and goofiness. Even my kids ended up mocking it. I happen to like 'baaad' films - so I found some enjoyment rather than pick at its obvious weaknesses. Kinda fun in it's own supercilious way. The Blu-ray tries... but at this price it's a no-sale, except to the most-ardent of 'junk cinema' aficionados... and Lynda Day George looks sweet. That's it. 

Gary Tooze

November 20th, 2013

 

Coming to Blu-ray by Severin in April 2021: