Brentwood Communications

Region 0 - NTSC

1.33:1 Open Matte format
Average Bitrate: 5.45 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.5 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.73 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Brentwood Communications

Code Red Releasing

Film Chest

English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono

English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• double-sided disc with Don't Look in the Basement (S.F. Brownrigg, 1973)

• Part of Kiss of Death boxed set with:
• - Little Corey Gorey (Bill Morroni, 1993)
• - Birds of Prey (Rene Cardona Jr., 1987)
• - Slashdance (James Shyman, 1989)
• - Kiss Daddy Goodnight (Peter Ily Huemer, 1987)
• - Devil's Nightmare (Jean Brismee, 1971)
• - Pieces (Juan Piquer Simon, 1982)
• - Kill Baby, Kill (Mario Bava, 1966)
• - Kiss Me, Kill Me (Corrado Farina, 1973)
• - Satan's School for Girls (David Lowell Rich, 1973)
• - House on Haunted Hill (William Castle, 1958)

DVD Release Date: 23 August 2005
Amaray

Chapters 7

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical Trailer (4:3; 1:13)
• Double Feature with Invasion of the Blood Farmers (Ed Adlum, 1972)
• - Audio Commentary by director Ed Adlum
• - Theatrical Trailer
• - Radio Spots
• Trailer for 'Heated Vengeance'.

DVD Release Date:
Amaray

Chapters 10

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
None
 

Chapters 6

Both the Film Chest and Code Red transfers seem to derive from Cannon's reissue of the film under the title DEATH HOUSE (although the title card itself says DEATHOUSE), while the older Brentwood disc features the original title card. The 81 minute timing of the Brentwood release (and several other PD discs) suggests that it derives from a PAL master rather than the US Paragon release (all three pre-cert UK tape releases are listed as 81 minutes). It also appears that the same print has been used for both transfers with the same jump cut (roughly forty-four minutes into the film) and other damage (sometimes less noticeable in the Film Chest version because of the increase in brightness).

The framing is also slightly different with Film Chest losing some picture information on the sides and a bit more off the bottom. Code Red features more picture in those areas but loses a sliver more off the top. Film Chest colors appear more natural than the warmer, and orangey, Code Red but it also brightens the image at the expense of some sense of atmosphere. The Code Red does appear a shade more detailed in close-ups. I prefer the Code Red, but the Film Chest may be the most accurate way to see the film (literally when it comes to the darkest shots). Both are the best the film has looked (and one has to wonder if a thoroughly pristine print of the film - if one still exists - would look substantially better).

The Code Red disc edges out the Film Chest in extras with not only the film's rare theatrical trailer (from a video source), but also an entire second feature (the must-see INVASION OF THE BLOOD FARMS - from the people who gave you SHRIEK OF THE MUTILATED - actually the main feature on the disc with its own substantial extras). The price is certainly right for the Film Chest version, but Code Red's edition is only four dollars more for a double feature. The Code Red edition is a direct sale item and can be obtained from their page at Big Cartel.

 - Eric Cotenas