By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The college-killings film with a cast of genre names now gets its worldwide hi-def debut.
Synapse Films has announced its Blu-ray release of TAG: THE ASSASSINATION GAME, the 1982 writing/directing debut of John Carpenter collaborator Nick Castle (“The Shape” in HALLOWEEN and co-scripter of ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK). It’s currently available for pre-order at Synapse’s website, DiabolikDVD and Orbit DVD, with a street date of February 24. The cast of the film, a.k.a. EVERYBODY GETS IT IN THE END! and KISS ME, KILL ME, is headed by Robert Carradine (ORCA, MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH), Linda Hamilton (the TERMINATOR films), Bruce Abbott (RE-ANIMATOR), Kristine DeBell (ALICE IN WONDERLAND) and Xander Berkeley (CANDYMAN). The synopsis: “The rules of TAG are simple. Players try to ‘murder’ each other using rubber-tipped toy dart guns. If you are shot, you are ‘killed’ and taken out of the game permanently until only one player remains. Unfortunately for this year’s TAG players, one sore loser [Abbott] is determined to win at any cost, even if it means murdering his competition for real!”
The region-free Blu-ray features a 1080p hi-def transfer, restored in 2K from original 35mm archival materials, presented in 1.78:1 widescreen with DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono audio. Special features are:
- Audio commentary by writer/director Nick Castle and star Robert Carradine, moderated by Horror’s Hallowed Grounds’ Sean Clark
- Original theatrical trailer
- Exclusive O-card/slipcover with artwork by Justin Coffee
- Booklet with liner notes by Dustin Morrow
- “TAG Facts” film poster reproduction card
This is a limited edition of 2,000; once it sells out, future editions will not include the O-card, booklet and poster reproduction card. Retail price is $29.95.
