My Bloody Valentine Blu-ray Review

Growing up in the 80’s was a horror fans dream. I can look back upon that era with such fond memories of all the countless horror films I would watch. Back then a lot of them were ones I would watch on cable tv. One of those I first discovered when I was only 8 or 9 years old. It was called My Bloody Valentine. It would play during the day on some channels and at night on others, so I could catch it sometimes three times a day. I fell in love with it. I found it to be such a cool concept, and the fact the killer wore a miners outfit blew me away. As I got older I still loved the film. I had it on VHS, and again on DVD. I saw the 3D remake and even bought the Special Edition. Now Scream Factory is giving it the full rich treatment it deserves with the fully uncut collectors set.

My Bloody Valentine was made back in 1981. It takes place in a small mining town called Valentine Bluffs. A town that takes Valentines Day very seriously, or at least it used to. See we learn that 20 years before the events of the film a gas leak caused an explosion trapping a group on miners in one of the shafts. This happened because a few of the guys who were supposed to check the lines skipped out on work to go to the town Valentines Day Dance. One of those trapped miners was Harry Warden, who managed to survive by eating the others, and then finally getting out and murdering the two guys who caused the explosion. He gets caught and locked away in the looney bin. He vows to keep coming back and killing people unless the Valentines Day dance is cancelled.

Well its been twenty years and most of the new generation just regard Harry Warden as an Urban Legend of sorts, so the Valentines Day Dance is back on. Let me tells you, this dance at a little town hall is the hottest thing this town has ever scene. Its all anyone can think about. Only one problem. There’s a killer on the loose. The Mayor gets a nice Valentines Day box of chocolates, but instead of candy it has a human heart. Later that night a one of the town folk is brutally killed at the laundromat and to make it worse her heart is even cut out. The sheriff tells everyone she died of a heart attack and decides to check on Harry Warden. Too bad the Mental Hospital seems to have no records left of him.

This panics the people in office and they decide to cancel the Valentines Day Dance to be safe. But the young folk in town really want their Valentines Day Dance so they decide to simply hold one themselves at the mine. As the killer is dressed like a miner it should be of no shock that he follows them there to rack up more bodies.

This is still a great film. Great practical effects really highlight the gore that I stated needed some serious trimming to get an R-rating. I especially enjoy all the POV shots they use from the killers gas mask. It really adds to the tension in the scenes. The setting in the mine at the end for the final act is fantastic as well as it adds even more tension to the already frightening situation of being trapped and stalked. Its very claustrophobic if you will.

Scream Factory has gone all out with this release giving it the full Collector’s Edition treatment. Not only do you get the remarkable transfer that really bring this film to life. I mean the dark scenes are absolutely stunning. Scream Factory is always able to avoid that horrible blue tint that ruins transfers and this one is no exception. The mining scenes look fantastic, and the sound transfer is crisp and clear. It sounds amazing in surround sound. And to make things even better not only do you get a loaded set of special features, but you get to the see the film fully uncut the way it was meant to be on a two disc set

DISC ONE: THEATRICAL VERSION
NEW 4K Scan Of The Original Camera Negative
NEW An Anemic Valentine – An Interview With Director George Mihalka
NEW From The Heart – An Interview With Actor Paul Kelman
NEW Friends Of Mine – An Interview With Actress Lori Hallier
NEW Axel, Be My Valentine – An Interview With Actor Neil Affleck
NEW Becoming Sylvia – An Interview With Actress Helene Udy
NEW The Secret Keeper – An Interview With Actor Rob Stein
NEW Broken Hearts And Broken Bones – An Interview With Special Makeup Effects Designer Tom Burman
NEW Holes In The Heart – A Look At The Difference Between The Theatrical Version And The Uncut Version
Original Theatrical Trailer
Original TV Spots
Original Radio Spots
Still Gallery

DISC TWO: UNCUT VERSION
NEW 4K Scan Of The Uncut Original Camera Negative
NEW Audio Commentary With Director George Mihalka
MY BLOODY VALENTINE 35th Anniversary Cast Reunion Panel At The Bay Of Blood Convention In Florida Featuring Director George Mihalka, Cast Members Lori Hallier, Helene Udy, Rob Stein, Peter Cowper, Thomas Kovacs, Jim Murchison, Alf Humphreys, And Hosted By Brian Singleton
Thomas Kovacs Performs “The Ballad Of Harry Warden” At The Bay Of Blood Convention With Peter Cowper And Jim Murchison

This is a must own set for not only fans of the film, but horror fans in general. If you grew up in the 80’s you have no doubt scene this, now is your chance to see it the way it was meant to be scene. If for some reason this film has escaped you this is definitely one that I highly recommend you watch. Its classic slasher horror at its best.

Overall 4 out of 5 Stars!