The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead
The Laughing Dead

Vinegar Syndrome

The Laughing Dead

$24.99
$24.99
$34.98
Sold Out

Edition Type: Standard Edition

VS-373
- +
Only 383 left in stock

Limit of per customer

My checklist
Have it Need it

You have reached the limit of this product.

Need a protector for the Limited Edition? Add this:
Slipcover Protector
$3.00
$3.00
App, frontpage merch, protector

Details

This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Robert Sammelin) was limited to 5,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

A busload of travelers and their guide, on the hunt for Aztec ruins, decide to stop in an all but forgotten-to-time Mexican village, on the eve of the Day of the Dead. The tour leader, a disgraced priest, is enlisted by a local doctor to perform what he believes to be an exorcism, but in actuality, the doctor is using him to begin a diabolical ritual intended to bring about Hell on Earth!

Among the weirder and more original indie horror films to pop up at the tail end of the 80s, Thai born filmmaker Somtow Sucharitkul's THE LAUGHING DEAD, which he directed, wrote, produced, scored, and acts in, plays heavily into the colorful, gory, and effortlessly surreal tropes of Asian horror films of the 70s and early 80s, but relocates the setting to rural Mexico. Reveling in plentiful and creative death scenes (including a human 'basketball'), all gorgeously photographed by David Boyd (The Walking Dead), Vinegar Syndrome is delighted to present the world Blu-ray debut of THE LAUGHING DEAD, newly restored in 4K from its original negative.

directed by: Somtow Sucharitkul
starring: Tim Sullivan, Wendy Webb, Premika Eaton, Patrick Roskowick, Larry Kagen, Krista Keim
1989 / 91 min / 1.85:1 / English Stereo

Additional info:

  • Region Free Blu-ray
  • Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original negative
  • Commentary track with writer/director/producer Somtow Sucharitkul
  • “Unholy Assembly: Crafting The Laughing Dead” - an extended making-of documentary with: director Somtow Sucharitkul, producer Lex Nakashima, actress Premika Eaton, actor Tim Sullivan, cinematographer David Boyd, associate producer/second unit director Michael Deak, costume designer Shellagh Hannigan and transportation/pa Ron Ford
  • Reversible cover artwork
  • English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.284483 / 5 from 348 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Laughing Dead is a restored horror film with a Mayan theme, praised for its excellent visuals, practical effects, and fantastic transfer. The slipcover artwork is highly appreciated, and the release is considered fantastic by customers.

Summary topics

  • Horror Film Quality (17%): In general, customers find this horror film to be great looking and follows an Aztec cult.
  • Horror Experience (8%): Customers raved about the unhinged horror with a Mayan theme that feels like it was pulled from the depths of VHS fever dreams.
  • Visual Quality (7%): It was highlighted by customers that the film looks great and has a fantastic transfer and slipcover.
  • Slipcover Artwork (5%): Customers expressed appreciation for the excellent artwork on the slipcover and packaging of the film.
  • Video Transfer Quality (12%): It was highlighted by customers that the transfer was excellent, with fun extras and a great slip.

Review topics: [quality, looks, packaging, service, design, sound, cover, set, buy, movie, effects, film, transfer, horror, release, slipcover, flick, art, artwork, acting, restoration, fun, features, watch, gore, gem, extras, ride, story, moments].

Review highlights

  • "I love these kinds of genre films, fun little cheap horror movie." — Joonas H.
  • "Overall, a solid recommendation, The film looks great and the packaging is solid." — Stephen P.
  • "I really loved this movie, and the packaging and extras are great as well." — David R.

Reviews

The Laughing Dead

"The quality of this edition really stands out, with some great art and a solid presentation. The special features are a nice bonus and make this a worthwhile release for fans of weird, offbeat horror."

— Carl E. (4/5)

Laughing Dead

"The Laughing Dead (1989) is a bizarre independent horror-comedy film written, directed, and scored by S. P. Somtow (Somtow Sucharitkul). It was rescued and released on a region-free Blu-ray featuring a 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Vinegar Syndrome."

— Zach S. (5/5)

Love/Hate this movie

"Love it for its bizarre premise, hate it for how it’s executed in parts. For sure, it’s different from many other movies of its period. Slipcase is a beauty!"

— massimiliano m. (3/5)

Blind buy that exceeded my expectations.

"Weird and wild occult horror from the late 80's. This one is definitely hard to describe. It's the video store film that I had always heard about, but somehow never saw it for rental at any of the places. Good practical effects, cool death scenes, and a nice transfer. Despite being bat$#!t bizarre, it's a solid film that I'd totally recommend."

— Jason C. (5/5)

Late Night Horror Trip

"The Laughing Dead has that perfect late-night cult horror feeling, where the movie keeps getting stranger and more unhinged as it goes. The mix of supernatural mythology, gore and low-budget ambition gives it a personality you do not see in cleaner mainstream horror. Vinegar Syndrome's release makes the colors and effects pop nicely while still keeping the grimy texture. A great disc for anyone who likes discovering forgotten horror oddities."

— Danny W. (5/5)

Cool slipcover

"The transfer is really nice. If you like weird and nasty vibes you're gonna love The Laughing Dead. Maybe don't go looking for Aztec Ruins unless you're ready to get decimated. Great fun and nasty movie!"

— Nolan L. (5/5)

Somtow's classic

"A classic since the VHS days of old, this movie never fails to deliver the goods. Transfer is great and the slip rules."

— Jakob P. (5/5)

Zombie Fun

"A wonderfully weird mix of zombie horror, comedy, and occult nonsense. It’s cheap, cheesy, and completely committed to its own bizarre little world."

— Tyler S. (3/5)

Great film I’d never heard of

"Love how vs brings me so much great stuff I’ve never heard of. Fun, cheap, and oh so cheesy. Fun movie all around."

— Bryan D. (5/5)

VS-373

"Weird South American horror, some nice extras and a gorgeous slipcover …."

— richard c. (4/5)

Q&A

More Items to Consider