The survival-horror classic will soon see the physical-media release it has long deserved.
Redoak Communications has announced that a four-year legal dispute with Dark Force Entertainment over ownership of Jeff Lieberman’s JUST BEFORE DAWN has been decided in their favor, clearing the way for a long-awaited 4K restoration of the movie, to be handled by Synapse Films. According to a release, “The Federal court jury determination fully vindicates Redoak Communications, finding that David DeFalco/Dark Force Entertainment illegally, unlawfully and without permission, asserted rights over the film and infringed upon the title’s valid copyrights. In addition to confirming Redoak Communications as the sole legal copyright holder, the jury’s verdict requires DeFalco to pay significant damages to Redoak Communications.”
With the movie’s chain of title now officially secured, Synapse has been instructed by Redoak to begin the 4K restoration from original archived 35mm elements, including a recently discovered internegative. Planned for 2027 release, this will be ultimate presentation of the 1981 film, in which a group of vacationers are terrorized during a trip into the Oregon mountains.
“We are thrilled to finally put an end to years of contested ownership and deliver complete legal clarity for this legendary film,” says Vlado P. Hreljanovic, president of Redoak Communications and JUST BEFORE DAWN’s executive producer. “With the Federal court’s decision, we can finally give this 4K release the archival treatment it has deserved for decades and there’s no better company for this task than Synapse Films.” Keep your eyes here for further details about this release.
