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

ADDITION: Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray (May 2021): Vinegar Syndrome's Blu-ray release of Anson Williams' "All-American Murder" features a dual-layered disc, as well as a maxed out bitrate. This is a newly scanned and restored release, scanned in 2K from the film's 35mm interpositive. The 1991 direct-to-video thriller features a decent amount of contrast in the image, allowing for the multiple dark or nighttime sequences to avoid crushing and uniform blacks. As director of photography Geoffrey Schaaf explains in his interview (included on this Blu-ray) the film was purposefully shot with unique angles and high contrast, so the amount of information on display in the frame is welcome. From the greens of the campus grounds to the sanguine gore, colors seem to be realistic and natural. Some shots (typically skies) seem a tad overexposed but this could be due to the limitations in production/filming, or just a downside to a interpositive transfer as opposed to an original negative.

"All-American Murder" is presented in its original 2.0 stereo, here in 24-bit DTS-HD Master audio. The music in the film is thanks to Rod Slane, who also composed the music for 1985's "Blood Cult" which was the first movie made for the home video market. Many songs on the soundtrack are thanks to Ted Mather. There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region 'Free' Blu-ray from the Vinegar Syndrome.

Vinegar Syndrome's release of "All-American Murder" Blu-ray includes a new audio commentary track with the team from 'The Hysteria Continues'. The commentators reveal how they were first introduced to the film, and talk of how the film walks a thin line between being a comedy and thriller. As usual, the 'Hysteria Continues' team is worth a listen for genre fans. "Being on a Team" is a new 15-minute interview with star Charlie Schlatter. Shlatter mentions that when he took the role, it was to be alongside Don Jonson (in the Christopher Walken role) with Ken Russell in the director's chair. Russell and Schlatter had bonded over their love of Keith Moon, yet days later Schlatter was informed that there was a new director, with Walken taking over the part. Schlatter's previous personal experience with Walken was awkward, with the actor explaining why he lied when they first met. Schlatter's memories on set are pretty positive, discussing how despite working many hours, the shoot went pretty smoothly. He even kept in touch with Joanna Cassidy. "A Valuable Experience" is a 15-minute interview with Geoffrey Schaaf (director of photography). This is a much more revealing interview, with Schaaf discussing many topics, from getting the job after traveling the world shooting for "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous", to the values of storyboarding. The D.P. also infers that the multiple low and Dutch angles were mostly at the request of director Anson Williams. He also mentions that the sex scenes were also requested by Williams. There is reversible cover artwork.

Vinegar Syndrome's newly 2K scanned and restored Blu-ray release (from the 35mm interpositive) of "All-American Murder" is a curiosity worth checking out. The film does walk a fine line between comedy and thriller throughout its running time. The casting is something to behold, with Christopher Walken, Joanna Cassidy, not to mention the great character actor Richard Kind. Recommended to genre fans, worth checking out for Walken's tongue-in-cheek performance.

Gary Tooze