Note: This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover variants (designed by Earl Kessler Jr. and Tom Hodge) were limited to 4,000 units each and are sold out. The standard edition is identical, aside from the slipcover.
Eric Binford lives for, and if he could have it his way ‘in’, the movies. He works at a 35mm print depot as a delivery boy, but spends all of his free time watching classic films and collecting Hollywood memorabilia. Endlessly tormented by his colleagues, Eric drifts further and further into a dream world wherein he embodies the silver screen characters he so deeply worships. However, when the teasing pushes him too far, he snaps and literally goes into character, donning the outfits of his big screen idols and slowly but surely killing off his tormentors in outrageous recreations of his favorite film scenes...
A slasher that’s profoundly infused with cinephilia and old Hollywood iconography from its first frame to its last, Vernon Zimmerman’s (Bobby Jo and the Outlaw) FADE TO BLACK is an often haunting examination of the terror that can occur when fantasy and reality collide. Starring Dennis Christopher (Breaking Away, the original ‘It') alongside Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), and featuring cinematography by Álex Phillips Jr. (Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia), FADE TO BLACK is a masterpiece of psychological horror that’s making its long overdue, worldwide Blu-ray debut from Vinegar Syndrome in a new 4K restoration of recently uncovered 35mm negative elements.
directed by: Vernon Zimmerman starring: Dennis Christopher, Linda Kerridge, Mickey Rourke, Norman Burton, Gwynne Gilford, Tim Thomerson 1980 / 102 min / 1.85:1 / English
Additional info:
Region Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 4k from 35mm negative elements
Commentary track with lead actor Dennis Christopher
Commentary track with The Hysteria Continues!
Historical commentary track with film historians Amanda Reyes and Bill Ackerman
“Living & Dying for the Movies” - an interview with lead actor Dennis Christopher
“Celluloid Heroes” - an interview with executive producer Irwin Yablans
“Taking the Hits” - an interview with special effects artist Wayne Beauchamp
“A Shiny Quality” - an interview with actress Marcie Barkin
“Experimenting with Sound” - an interview with composer Craig Safan
“Finishing the Story” - an interview with editor Barbara Pokras
“A Brush with Darkness” - an interview with stylist Patricia Bunch
Audio interview with lead actress Linda Kerridge
Still Gallery
Original theatrical trailer
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.643275 / 5 from 171 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Fade to Black, a psychological horror film, is celebrated for its fantastic performances, stunning visuals, and exceptional 4K restoration. Customers appreciate its classic release, beautiful artwork, and the immersive experience it offers, making it a must-have for cinephiles.
"The movie itself looks beautiful and the artwork for this release is fantastic." — Corbin C.
"Great little gem of a movie remastered well and has great artwork…sorry I missed the slipcover though :)" — Stephen M.
"The restoration looks great, it's loaded with special features and the slipcover art has a nice vintage look to it." — James R.
Reviews
Fade To Black
"I liked this film. I got both slipcovers for it secondhand and I prefer the variant one with the scared girl."
— Peter O. (5/5)
Flawed but unique character study
"It's a bit long winded but a decent portrayal of a movie nerd's descent into madness"
— Ian B. (4/5)
Dennis Christopher steals the show!
"Synopsis: Eric Binford is a bit of a cinephile. In fact, he lives and breathes movies even having a job sort of in the industry. He is verbally abused by his wheelchair-bound, former dancing star Aunt and picked on by people at work. He thinks his life has changed when he meets an Australian dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe but when she accidentally stands him up he spirals out of control and can't discern fact from fiction. He goes on a killing spree dressed up and acting as characters from his favorite films. Cocaine using hip doctor working for the police is studying the effects of violent images on tv and movies so he's sort of hot on Eric's trail. Review: Fade to Black is clearly made by a movie-obsessed cinephile for movie-obsessed cinephiles. I'm not sure what the message was because I'm pretty sure writer-director Vernon Zimmerman was probably living out a fantasy through his script. what sets this apart from other slashers of the late '70s early '80s is a very strong lead performance. Dennis Christopher delivers a powerhouse character that has a tough time telling what's real and what's a movie and the audience is there for the entire ride. He starts out a bit cooky but by the end, he is completely insane and it was intriguing to watch that journey. This almost has a Taxi Driver feel but with a slasher twist. Maybe if Travis Bickell had used a knife instead of guns and racked up the body count Taxi Driver would have been the best slasher of all time? Carnage Count 2/5 Sleaze Score 2/5"
— Brett J. (4/5)
Looks great + exhaustive on-disc extras!
"Wish I had seen this long ago, but still glad to finally watch this very nice blu-ray. We had a great time watching it, and the commentaries look like they'll eventually bring me back. TONS of interviews on the disc. Two great options for case art (reverse being original, or a recreation of?), and the disc using the charmingly busy new art."
— Joe V. (4/5)
Go in blind - this one will NOT disappoint. HIGHLY recommended!
"Fade to Black will have you laughing at the most unexpected situations, and has many ON POINT acting, makeup and wardrobe moments. A special nod to a well made, male solo masturbation scene (which is more up my street!). It represented a pivotal point in the story, shot and treated with the right balance of modesty, intensity, and sudden contrast of the overwhelming weight of Eric's actions. There are plenty of extras, which I am still making my way through! It was great to see Dennis Christopher talk about the alternate ending, and his thoughts on the whole experience. I hope, in coming years, that if lost contents ever re-surface, a 4K version will be released, with everything included. As of writing, this release is out of print (OOP)."
— Elle N. (5/5)
Wish I Liked it More
"Movie: There are some neat costumes and a few great moments that utilize them, but overall I didn't find the story compelling, in large part because the protagonist doesn't seem justified. People may not be nice to him, but he's also kind of a jerk himself who doesn't know how to socialize. The movie kind of low-key makes the claim that yes, watching too many violent movies will in fact make you violent too. Also, it sets up a trivia question about Casablanca and then has the nerve not to give us the answer. Extras: Very solid line up of interviews, each adding some interesting information and none going on too long. Checks the box for having the trailer as well. Packaging: Bonus points for reversible cover, and both designs look great."
— Gideon M. (4/5)
Great Character Study
"Fun Hollywood classic with a plethora of homages. Great story. Top notch special features. Highly recommend."
— Jeffrey L. (4/5)
This is it! It's Hollywood!
"Going from my VHS to this was like trading in my skateboard for an F-150. So glad VS put out what is a surprisingly gripping career performance of Dennis Christopher, and the nostalgia factor of both the homages and production design is off the charts."
— Jason L. (5/5)
Enjoyed the title. . .
"Such a good flick. . . cult classic for sure. The way the story plays out was truly something else."
— Donovan M. (5/5)
Not my favourite
"Really wanted to love this one but sadly not for me. Has a great idea but it drags. Could have easily removed 15 minutes and tightened things up a bit. Transfer looks great, as usual. Another awesome effort from Vinegar Syndrome."
— Kent F. (3/5)
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