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

ADDITION: 88 Films (UK) Blu-ray (October 2025): 88 Films (UK) have transferred Norman J. Warren's Prey to Blu-ray. We compared the Vinegar Syndrome (US) Blu-ray to a couple of DVDs HERE, in 2018. This UK edition shares the superior 2K master with Vinegar Syndrome's that it compared well (likely a shared master) - both dramatically improved transfer over the DVDs (sharper, richer colors, better detail.) The 1080P maintains naturalistic colors, balanced contrast, and fine film grain, with crisp exteriors showcasing the rural English countryside and well-handled interiors that avoid excessive dimness. This offers a consistent HD presentation.

NOTE: We have added 36 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, 88 Films (UK) use a linear PCM dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It faithfully reproduces the original mono sound design with clean dialogue, atmospheric effects, and Ivor Slaney's (The House Across the Lake, Death Ship, Paid to Kill, Terror Street, Bad Blonde, Gambler and the Lady) electronic score, though it does exhibit some treble bias and minor hiss inherent to the low-budget production. This track supports the film's psychological intimacy effectively. 88 Films (UK) offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The extras package on the 88 Films Blu-ray is insightful, featuring an audio commentary by film historians Nathaniel Thompson (FrightFest Guide to Vampire Movies,) and Troy Howarth (So Deadly, So Perverse: Giallo-Style Films From Around the World, Vol. 3), who delve into production details, genre context, Warren's career and much more. It's excellent. There is also a 1/2 hour video essay "Stephen Thrower on Prey," where the critic (author of Nightmare USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents) analyzes the film's themes, style, and cult appeal; a theatrical trailer that highlights the horror elements; and an image gallery showcasing stills.

Norman J. Warren's Prey stands as a quintessential example of low-budget British exploitation cinema from the late 1970s, blending science fiction, horror, and psychological drama into a compact, character-driven narrative. Directed by Warren (Inseminoid, Satan's Slave, Terror) and produced by Terry Marcel (Jane and the Lost City) on a shoestring budget of around £3,000 with deferred payments, the film was shot quickly and improvisationally, drawing from a script by Max Cuff based on a story by Quinn Donoghue (Unit Publicist on 21 Grams, The Limey, Bitter Moon, Frantic.) Featuring a minimal cast of three principal actors - Barry Stokes (Hammer House of Horror, Space: 1999,) as the enigmatic alien Anders, Sally Faulkner (Confessions of a Driving Instructor, Vampyres, The Body Stealers,) as the domineering Josephine (Jo), and Glory Annen (Marquis de Sade's Justine) as the more naive Jessica - the movie unfolds almost entirely in an isolated rural manor house, emphasizing interpersonal tensions over spectacle. Released amid a wave of British horror films, it exemplifies Warren's career as a commercial journeyman who infused personal charm into hack work, producing engaging low-key horror that prioritizes character dynamics and bleak outcomes. This structure, while thinly developed in places due to budget constraints, cleverly intertwines two disparate plots - a toxic relationship thriller and an extraterrestrial invasion - creating a surreal, alienating vibe that feels as if crafted by outsiders observing humanity. In Warren's oeuvre, it fits among downer-ending horrors like Satan's Slave, contributing to his niche in British genre cinema without the depth of peers like Pete Walker. Overall, the 88 Films Blu-ray of Prey stands as a worthy addition to the film's discography, offering a high-quality presentation of this cult British sci-fi horror gem that balances atmospheric visuals, faithful audio, and thoughtful extras in a Region 'B' disc ideal for UK audiences. This edition encourages indulgence in Warren's quirky low-budget charm, earning a recommendation for genre enthusiasts seeking a fresh take on a film that blends psychological depth with extraterrestrial weirdness. 

Gary Tooze