Edge of Sanity (1989) {Arrow Video Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard 

Anthony Perkins will probably forever be remembered as Norman Bates from Hitchcock's classic film Psycho. But after that iconic role it was hard for Perkins to shake the image so he made a career out of horror after that.

In 1989 he would take the lead of a unique mixture of a classic horror tale and a real life killer in Edge of Sanity. This film has gained cult status and the good folks at Arrow Video always love to give cult movie fans their favorite on deluxe Blu-ray so not Edge of Sanity get's his chance to shine.

The film follows Dr. Henry Jekyll (Perkins) as his experiments into a powerful new anesthetic go terribly wrong. The respected doctor flees into the night, under the guise of ‘Mr. Hyde’. He soon become the infamous killer known as Jack "The Ripper" Hyde.

Edge of Sanity is an exploitation film produced by Harry Alan Towers (The Face of Fu Manchu, Count Dracula) and directed by Gérard Kikoïne (Lady Libertine, Buried Alive). It was shot on a unique level and for fans of exploitation it will be a welcomed release. But it is not going to be for everyone.  

I think Anthony Perkins' take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was meant to be for laughs. I think it was trying to be a film like those Syfy channel films. However for me at least, the film came off a little less than entertaining and the exploitation angle of all the nudity of the film was just too much. 

The film has been transferred in 1080p from a new brand new 2K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative by Arrow Films. The audio is an uncompressed stereo audio with optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. This new restoration looks stunning if you love this film.





Now Arrow Video went above and beyond with this release and added some cool bonus features that fans will love to enjoy. Take a look at what is included.

* Brand new audio commentary by writer David Flint and author and filmmaker Sean Hogan

* Over the Edge, a brand new interview with Stephen Thrower, author of Nightmare USA

* Jack, Jekyll and Other Screen Psychos, a brand new interview with Dr Clare Smith, author of Jack the Ripper in Film and Culture

* French Love, a career-spanning interview with director Gérard Kikoïne

* Staying Sane, Gérard Kikoïne discusses Edge of Sanity

* Original Theatrical trailer

* Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys

As you can see Arrow Video packed this Blu-ray with commentaries, interviews, features and more. Fans of exploitation horror films are going to love this Arrow Video release of Edge of Sanity.

Now while I was not a fan of this film, I know there will be people that are fans of this film. If you love Anthony Perkins in Edge of Sanity this new Arrow Video Blu-ray is a must own. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of Edge of Sanity receives...