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

ADDITION: Kino 4K UHD Blu-ray (September 2019): Kino have transferred Peter Collinson's Fright to 4K UHD and dual-layered Blu-ray with a max'ed out bitrate. It is described as a "2018 UHD SDR Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative". While we are in possession of the 4K UHD disc we cannot resolve the encode yet and therefore cannot obtain screen captures. We hope to add to this comparison when possible. So, the below captures are from Kino's 2024 1080P Blu-ray transfer. It is almost exactly the same image as the Shout! Factory Blu-ray edition from 2019 (see comments below.) The 4K UHD has an uptick in the contrast depth and fine texture. There is an improvement in most visual areas like color richness and tightness but only larger systems will proportionately notice the improvement. It looked flawless on my system.

NOTE: 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

We have reviewed the following 4K UHD packages recently: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Tenant (software uniformly simulated HDR), Gummo, Demon Pond, Happiness, Cheeky (software uniformly simulated HDR), Produced By Val Lewton , The Long Good Friday, The Ladykillers (software uniformly simulated HDR), Torso (software uniformly simulated HDR), All of Us Strangers, Last Year at Marienbad (NO HDR applied to disc), Peril & Distress (And Soon the Darkness / Sudden Terror) (NO HDR applied to disc), The Case of the Bloody Iris (software uniformly simulated HDR), Reptilicus (software uniformly simulated HDR), Risky Business (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Conversation (software uniformly simulated HDR), Perfect Days, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) (software uniformly simulated HDR), Le samouraï  (software uniformly simulated HDR), Castle of Blood (software uniformly simulated HDR), Pat Garret and Billy the Kid (HDR), Fist of Legend (HDR), American Gigolo (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Long Wait (no HDR,) Bound (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Valiant Ones (software uniformly simulated HDR), Mute Witness (software uniformly simulated HDR), Narc (software uniformly simulated HDR), Peeping Tom (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Terrors House of Horrors (software uniformly simulated HDR), High Noon (software uniformly simulated HDR), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Criterion) (software uniformly simulated HDR), I Am Cuba (no HDR), The Demoniacs (software uniformly simulated HDR), The Nude Vampire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Nostalghia (no HDR), Werckmeister Harmonies (no HDR), Goin' South (software uniformly simulated HDR), La Haine (software uniformly simulated HDR,) All Ladies Do It (software uniformly simulated HDR), Old Henry  (software uniformly simulated HDR), To Die For (software uniformly simulated HDR), Snapshot (software uniformly simulated HDR), Phase IV (software uniformly simulated HDR), Burial Ground (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dark Water (software uniformly simulated HDR), Fear and Desire (software uniformly simulated HDR), Dr. Jekyll and the Werewolf (no HDR), Paths of Glory (software uniformly simulated HDR), Southern Comfort (software uniformly simulated HDR).

On their 4K UHD and Blu-ray Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel and there are a few jolting physical 'fright' effects in the film. The nerve-jangling score was by Harry Robertson (Hammer go-to composer for such titles as The Vampire Lovers, Countess Dracula, Twins of Evil plus The Oblong Box and Jane and the Lost City,) complimented by the 'theme' by Robertson and Bob Barratt; Ladybird sung by Nanette. It has a very haunting quality in the lossless. Kino offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE 4K UHD and Region 'A' Blu-ray.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their 4K UHD and Blu-ray Kino offer a new audio commentary by film historian Howard S. Berger. He observes the prison bar motif (trees, stair railings gate) - he discusses the themes commonly used by director Peter Collinson (The Earthling, Straight On Till Morning), actors Susan George, Honor Blackman, Ian Bannen (Doomwatch) and much more. It's excellent. The remaining extras are all on the second disc Blu-ray. Repeated from, the Shout! Factory is the video interview with Kim Newman entitled Fright Nights where he discusses the film's history and critical reaction. He always me appreciate the films that he talks about. There is also a theatrical trailer for Fright and five others films - 3 of which are starring Susan George.    

This, less-fairly judged, film has plenty of gorgeous girl-next-door Susan George being 'compromised' or equal parts sexploitated but as a horror-shocker Peter Collinson has crafted an extremely effective genre work. Plenty of fast cuts, red herrings, close-ups, surprises and screams. It's a simple premise that works well evoking Straw Dogs in a similar scene of Amy's (Miss George) double molestation ordeal or maybe even 1982's The House Where Evil Dwells while our gal was possessed by a ghost while committing adultery. She was offered the role with no audition having worked with Collinson in Up the Junction and a television commercial when she was much younger. I've always seen something in Fright despite obvious and generic tropes. I am even more thrilled at the 4K UHD with Susan George as I was with Sudden Terror aka Eyewitness (1970) reviewed HERE. We get a 2126P  presentation and Berger commentary. I will be keeping it for a late Friday night. Absolutely recommended.  

***

ADDITION: Shout! Factory Blu-ray (September 2019): Shout! Factory have transferred Peter Collinson's Fright to a dual-layered Blu-ray with a max'ed out bitrate. Compared to the 2002 DVD - there is much more information in the frame, mostly on all 4 edges, the skin tones warm, and in many instances lose their orangey hue, and the higher resolution improves detail and contrast significantly. It looks excellent in-motion.

On their Blu-ray, Shout! Factory use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's audio.  Shout! Factory offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

There is no commentary but Shout! Factory Blu-ray have added a new, 19-minute, video interview with Kim Newman entitled Fright Nights where he discusses the film's history and critical reaction. He always me appreciate the films that he talks about. There is also a theatrical trailer (shorter than the DVD) and a stills gallery.

I wish there was a commentary, but we will eventually compare it to the UK BD release later this year if we can get our hands on it. It advertises an interview with Susan George.

Gary Tooze