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: 4.6477985 / 5 from 159 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.
Summary topics
Restoration Quality (9%): Customers raved about the transfer, describing it as phenomenal and the best they've seen.
Special Features (7%): Customers appreciated the special features included in the Spookies Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray release.
Horror Experience (9%): The feedback is varied, with some mentioning it as one of the weirdest low budget horrors out there.
Making-of Documentary (9%): Customers loved the documentary included in this release, describing it as great, insightful, and worth picking up.
Additional Extras (7%): It was reported by customers that the extras on this film were great and exceeded their original expectations.
