Note: This listing is for the standard edition 2-disc Blu-ray set. The limited edition slipcover variants (designed by Earl Kessler Jr. and Gary Pullin) were limited to 3,000 units each and are sold out. The standard edition is identical, aside from the slipcover.
After their car breaks down, a group of travelers find themselves stranded in a remote part of New England. After taking shelter in a spooky old mansion, complete with a graveyard, they discover a ouija board and decide to spend the night attempting to summon some spirits. But the group soon learns that playing with the forces of black magic isn't fun and games, and it's not long before they're head-to-head with all sorts of demonic creatures, shape shifters, and other forms of evil, all of whom are more than happy to pick them off in the most gruesome of ways.
Of all of the bizarre horror films made in the 1980s, SPOOKIES easily ranks among the weirdest. Produced by Michael Lee, founder of the adored UK home video distributor VIPCO, the film became a fan favorite thanks to its expertly rendered creature effects and notorious for its bizarre production history in which its original creators, co-writers/directors Brendan Faulkner & Thomas Doran and co-writer/producer Frank M. Farel, were fired and replaced by Eugenie Joseph, who added new scenes and re-edited the previously shot footage, resulting in the legendary oddity SPOOKIES has become. Vinegar Syndrome proudly brings SPOOKIES to Blu-ray for the first time, newly restored in 4K from its long lost original negative and including a brand new, feature-length 'making of' documentary, charting its incredible and often unbelievable production history.
directed by: Thomas Doran, Brendan Faulkner and Eugenie Joseph starring: Peter Dain, Nick Gionta, Joan Ellen Delaney, Peter Iasillo, Charlotte Alexandra, Anthony Valbiro, Kim Merrill, Lisa Friede, Soo Paek, Maria Pechukas, Felix Ward 1985 / 85 min / 1.85:1
Additional info:
Region Free 2-disc Blu-ray Set
Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
“Twisted Tale - The Unmaking of Spookies” - a feature-length making-of documentary, including a commentary track with documentary co-directors Michael Gingold & Glen Baisley and extensive deleted scenes.
“VIPCO - The Untold Story” - a feature-length documentary on the notorious UK home video label, including extended interview footage with Michael Lee (founder of VIPCO) and a trailer.
2015 Alamo Drafthouse screening introductions with Spookies director Thomas Doran and co-writer/producer Frank M. Farel.
Q&A from a 2015 Hudson Horror Show screening with actor Peter Iasillo, actor Anthony Valbiro and production assistant Tom Sciacca
Archival locations featurette with actor Peter Iasillo
Pinreel outtakes and bloopers
Behind the scenes still gallery
Theatrical trailer
Reversible cover artwork with new artwork by Gary Pullin
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.612121 / 5 from 165 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Spookies, a 1985 horror film, is now available on a newly restored 2-disc Blu-ray set from Vinegar Syndrome. Customers appreciate the film's unique 80s horror charm, the quality of the restoration, and the extensive special features, including a making-of documentary and archival extras. The practical effects and the fun of the movie are highlighted, though opinions on the film itself are mixed.
"Packaged well, loved the movie the transfer and the special features and all for a good price." — Michael P.
"The film looks great of course coming from VS with fun creature work and excellent extras as well!" — Brandon T.
"The restoration on this obscure late-'80s gem is high quality and the extras are unexpected and great." — Richard D.
Reviews
Incoherent Amusing Movie with Great Creature Effects
"What could have been a decent & competent demon-infested house horror movie was turned into. . . . . something else. . . by the producer. That said, there are some great creature effects and overall is a fun watch despite of and also because of some terrible choices by the producer (farting zombies, editing what are essentially two separate movies together. . ). Also, VS has loaded this with extras about the making of the film that makes this worth your while."
— David A. (5/5)
Crazy
"Crazy flick with an even crazier production."
— Matthew R. (5/5)
Spookies
"Cool cover artwork on this release. Recommend this pick up."
— Aaron P. (4/5)
Legendary palace release in au
"Happy to add this to my spookies media. Love the art on this variant"
— Billy-Jack D. (5/5)
Could've Been an All-Time Classic
"I’m always down for any movie where a group of people driving around end up at a creepy mansion for whatever reason. I’d heard this is kind of like two movies in one, since the director was replaced, and I can totally see that now after watching it. The problem is, the story about the people in the mansion is way more entertaining than the stupid story about the Dracula-ish guy who lives there trying to resurrect his bride - they’re not even lit the same. I honestly think they should’ve just cut most of those parts. Like, the parts with the people have farting mummies, exploding grim reapers and other insane creatures that just randomly pop up and start attacking them - you can’t beat that. I have a feeling this is a movie I might like more on a rewatch, similar to my experience with Don’t Go in the Woods. Maybe I’ll be able to look past the lame Dracula parts. One thing I want to give this movie credit for: when you see a kid in a horror film, especially an older one, it’s usually safe to assume they’ll make it to the end. Not this one, though. The kid is the first character to get killed. One Last thing - after watching the documentary, I think it legit could’ve been an 80s horror classic, and they were absolutely screwed in post. It's a really depressing story. I hope someday we somehow get to see the first two directors’ vision, cause the footage all exists somewhere."
— Lucas B. (3/5)
It has its charms. . . like farting monsters.
"It's not as stale as a lot of cabin-in-the-woods films, but it's not a landmark film in the genre. It really throws EVERYTHING at the wall to see what sticks. Not much does, but it's fascinating to watch what will come next."
— Jason F. (3/5)
Really funny horror!
"Just wait until the fasting monsters show up! So funny? Love it!"
— Stephen J. (5/5)
Fun Film & Documentary!
"I finally got my hands on a copy of Spookies by VS and glad I did! Both Beautiful artwork and restoration done here. Love the slip cover and the Blu-ray itself. I saw this movie years ago so I knew what it was about. But what really makes this a great purchase are the interviews behind the scenes footage and commentary from some of the casting and crew. They go into detail about the real backstory of the making of this film, which in all honesty is better than the actual movie itself (IMHO). So interesting to hear what the movie was supposed to be and yet sad to hear what it ultimately became. No wonder why it has such a loyal fan base and has achieved cult status over time. Very enjoyable set and I’m happy to add this to my collection!"
— Pamela G. (5/5)
Spoooooooookies
"Abizarre, stitched together horror mess that somehow turns into a fun creature-feature party. So bad it GREAT."
— Tyler S. (4/5)
Spookies
"A very entertaining film with some strange choices made during production and editing. Great picture and sound quality, many special features are included across two discs."
— David P. (4/5)
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