By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The much-awaited restoration of the heavy-metal horror favorite is set to arrive this Halloween season.
Synapse Films has opened pre-orders at its website for Red Shirt Home Video’s 4K UHD/Blu-ray/CD edition of 1986’s TRICK OR TREAT; shipping should begin next week. The set is also available at DiabolikDVD and Orbit DVD. In the film, deceased hard rocker Sammi Curr (Tony Fields) returns from the dead to help high-school outcast Eddie (Marc Price) get payback against his tormentors. The region-free three-disc set features a 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative mastered in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and approved by director of photography Robert Elswit, with lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio of the original 2.0 theatrical mix and an all-new 5.1 Surround sound mix. It is limited to 6,666 copies, each in a chipboard slipcase sporting a choice of three different artwork styles (2,222 of each) by Justin Osbourn, Sean Longmore and Devon Whitehead, and including a CD soundtrack with songs by Fastway. Special features (including one contributed by yours truly) are:
- Audio commentary by director Charles Martin Smith, moderated by filmmaker Mark Savage
- Audio interviews with writer/producer Michael S. Murphey and writer Rhet Topham, moderated by film historian Michael Felsher
- Audio conversation with Paul Corupe and Allison Lang, authors of SATANIC PANIC: POP-CULTURAL PARANOIA IN THE 1980S
- “Rock & Shock: The Making of TRICK OR TREAT”: An all-new retrospective featuring director Charles Martin Smith, actors Marc Price, Glen Morgan, Elise Richards and Larry Sprinkle, writer/producer Joel Soisson, costume designer Jill Ohanneson, assistant set costumer Francine Decoursey, construction foreman Tom Jones, Jr., special makeup effects artist Everett Burrell, music executive producer Stephen E. Smith and composer Christopher Young, with a special appearance by Gene Simmons
- “In the Spotlight: A Tribute to Tony Fields” featuring interviews with the late actor’s family and friends
- “Horror’s Hallowed Grounds: The Filming Locations of TRICK OR TREAT” with Sean Clark
- “After Midnight” music video
- Theatrical trailers, TV spots and radio spots
- Still gallery featuring optional audio interview with still photographer Phillip V. Caruso
- Vintage electronic press kit
- Illustrated collector’s booklet containing essays by Michael Gingold, Samm Deighan and Michael Felsher
- Six double-sided collector’s cards
- Fold-out double-sided Sammi Curr fan poster
Retail price is $66.66.
