Shriek Show/Media Blasters

Region 1 - NTSC

Severin Films -

Region FREE - Blu-ray

1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 8.41 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.

Shriek Show/Media Blasters

Severin Films Blu-ray

LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
LPCM Audio French 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
LPCM Audio Italian 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary:

LPCM Audio Italian 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1

Edition Details:
� Interview with co-director Bruno Mattei (16:9; 8:37)
� Interview with actor Carlo de Mejo (16:9; 10:15)
� Theatrical Trailer
� Previews

DVD Release Date: 28 January 2003
Amaray

Chapters 12
 

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC

Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary With Co-Director/Co-Writer Claudio Fragasso, Moderated By Freak-O- Rama’s Federico Caddeo (In Italian with English subtitles)
• Sister Franca: Interview With Actress Franca Stoppi (13:13)
• To Hell And Back: Archive Interviews With Director Bruno Mattei and Actor Carlo De Mejo (11:22)
• Trailer (3:34)
• Reversible Cover Art
 

Chapters: 12

For audio, we are given three, linear PCM transfers (16-bit) for English, French or Italian languages. There are production-related weaknesses but the quality-level is consistent and reasonably clean. The score is credited to the legendary band Goblin (Sleepless, The Bloodstained Shadow, Deep Red, Suspira) but is a bit repetitious. The uncompressed sound quality, though, is quite crisp. There are optional English subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is Region FREE - playable worldwide.

Severin include an audio commentary with co-director/co-writer Claudio Fragasso, moderated By Freak-O-Rama’s Federico Caddeo. It is in Italian with English subtitles - see sample. He admits where he had impact and when he wasn't involved in the production. I thought the questions posed were good. We also get Sister Franca - a 13-minute interview with actress Franca Stoppi (Mother Vincenza) and her recollection about the film and her role. To Hell And Back has 11-minutes of archival interviews with director Bruno Mattei and actor Carlo De Mejo (Father Valerio). There is also a trailer and the package has reversible cover art (see bottom of review).

There is a religious-based appeal here - not just the Nunsploitation but it's a bit scattered. I appreciated the atmosphere, costumes but it leads in some pretty dark areas if you are sensitive. Nice Blu-ray package by Severin - great covers. Those keen on this brand of cinema - don't require me to identify them - they know who they are and if this appeals to them.