It was supposed to be the perfect crime: the sexy maid (Susan George of STRAW DOGS), a psychotic chauffeur (Oliver Reed of THE BROOD) and an international terrorist (the legendary Klaus Kinski) kidnap a wealthy ten-year-old boy from his elegant London townhouse. But they didn't count on a murdered cop, a desperate hostage siege, and one very unexpected houseguest: a furious Black Mamba, the most lethal and aggressive snake known to nature. It can attack from ten feet away. Its bite brings excruciating death. And it is on the loose. Now, terror knows no antidote... and the ultimate in slithering mayhem is VENOM.

Sterling Hayden (THE KILLING), Nicol Williamson (EXCALIBUR) and Sarah Miles (BLOW-UP) co-star in this gripping suspense thriller based on the novel by best-selling author Alan Scholefield and directed by Piers Haggard (THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW). VENOM has been newly transferred in 2K High Definition from its negative and features some very real - and extremely deadly - Black Mambas!

Force Video - Region 0 - PAL vs. Blue Underground - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Blue Underground (Re-Release) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.7 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 8.95 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

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

Force Video

Blue Underground

Blue Underground Blu-ray

English (Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 6.1)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 4446 kbps 7.1 / 48 kHz / 4446 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital EX Audio English 640 kbps 5.1-EX / 48 kHz / 640 kbps
DTS-HD Master Audio English 2074 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2074 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 256 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 256 kbps

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• No extras!

DVD Release Date: 2001
Keep Case

Chapters 16
 

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
• Audio commentary with director Piers Haggard
• Theatrical trailer (1'24)
• 4 TV spots, about 30 seconds each
• Poster & still gallery
• Talent bios of Oliver Reed & Klaus Kinski
 

Chapters 23

DVD
 

ADDITION: Blue Underground - Region FREE - Blu-ray (May 16'): Appears as though it may not be the same source used by Blue Underground in 2003 but it is transferred to 1080P, 2K, on a single-layered disc and improves in the expected areas with the higher resolution - colors are richer - skin tones cooler, there is depth, the image is sharper in close-ups and it looks more like film where the SDs more resembled video.

Never one to scrimp on audio options - Blue Underground give three strong choices; a DTS-HD Master 7.1 at a whopping 4446 kbps (24-bit) and it can pack a punch with the effects and violent score movements. There is also a lossy Dolby Digital EX 5.1 surround or another DTS-HD Master but 2.0 channel that sounds strong but lacking the depth and range of the 7.1 track. The score is by Michael Kamen (Mona Lisa, Event Horizon, Road House, Company Business) which does a good job riding beside the film's sporadic tension sounding clean and crisp. There are optional subtitles on the Region FREE Blu-ray disc.

Supplements mostly duplicate their older SD with the interesting audio commentary with director Piers Haggard, trailer, teasers, TV spots and poster gallery. This does include a collectable booklet featuring new writing by Fangoria Editor Michael Gingold. A, second disc, DVD is included in the box.

Surprising star-power slumming in Venom; Klaus Kinski, Oliver Reed, Nicol Williamson, Sarah Miles, Sterling Hayden, Susan George... it's a typical early 80's horror-thriller with exploitation elements and if you are prepared for that type of popcorn entertainment you will probably enjoy the festivities. Blue Underground have put together a successful Blu-ray package - better than the film deserves but its imperfections can have charisma too. Go for it.