Impulse (1974) Blu-ray Review

William Shatner is best known for playing Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek. But I probably first watched him in episodes of The Twilight Zone. But beyond television he starred in movies as well!

In 1974 he took a detour from the heroic Captain Kirk to a deranged killer in the film Impulse. This film has been more or less forgotten in time. But now Grindhouse Releasing have found rare archive print and have restored Impulse in 4K and released it on deluxe Blu-ray!

Matt Stone (William Shatner) is a deranged conman and gigolo who preys on lonely women, defraud them of their savings unable to control his murderous psychosexual urges.

William Grefe (best known for his exploitation films) crafts a unique horror thriller in Impulse! William Shatner's distinctive acting style really works here in playing Matt Stone. He is so soft spoken and kind and just turns on a dime. Amazing! In addition to Shatner there are other familiar faces in this film, Jenifer Bishop (Al Adamson's THE FEMALE BUNCH), Ruth Roman (Hitchcock's STRANGERS ON A TRAIN), Harold "Oddjob" Sakata (GOLDFINGER) and William Kerwin (Herschell Gordon Lewis' BLOOD FEAST).

Now while Impulse is a William Grefe film it not his normal exploitation film. Most of the time exploitation films are filled with nudity and strong sexual situations. This film is very mild in that regard. It is even mild in the violence. But make no mistakes about it, it is still a pretty intense horror film. 

It is interesting to note that William Shatner hates this film. At one point he even said that he wished they would burn the copies of the film. It could be because of the bad experience of the film. Shatner broke his finger doing a stunt and Sakata almost died in a hanging scene. Who knows.

Grindhouse Releasing searched and found one of the best archival elements of this film and then restored it in 4K! Impulse's new 4K restoration has been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and there is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Now Grindhouse Releasing makes it known at the beginning that this may not be the most pristine copy, but it is the best that could be found. And while that might be true, I have to say I was pretty impressed with how good this film looks. The colors are rich, and the picture is crisp and the audio is also clear for the majority of the film. 

Now the interesting thing here is Grindhouse Releasing have given this cult classic a home video release that William Grefe and William Shatner fans are going to love. Not only an impressive new restoration. But 2 discs filled with bonus features. Take a look at what is included.

Disc One:
* Feature Film
* Audio Commentary by William Grefe
* The Making of Impulse
* Shatner Saves Sakata (a deleted seen where Sakata almost died.)
   * Play with Grefe Commentary
   * Play with Shatner Commentary 
* 40th Anniversary Screening: Tampa Theater - Nov. 7, 2015
* Theatrical Trailer A
* Theatrical Trailer B

Bonus Features: Additional William Grefe Films
* The Devil's Sisters (1966): An innocent young woman goes to apply for a domestic worker's job in Tijuana and ends up captured by vicious white slavers, the Alvarado sisters.
  * Devil's Sisters Resurrected Intro
  * Audio Commentary by Willaim Grefe
  * Devil's Sister Revisited
  * Bill Grefe and the Devil's Sisters
  * Sisters of the Devil Radio Spot
  * Devil's Sisters Still Gallery
* The Godmothers (1973): Two brothers pose as women to avoid marrying a mobster's ugly daughter.
  * Intro by Bill Grefe

Disc Two: Bonus Features
* Interviews:
Between the Treks: Shatner in the 1970s
Kingdom of the Shatner: William Shatner Live in Santa Monica Oct. 9, 2022
Doug Hobert - The Corpse Speaks!
Bill Grefe is Furious
Bill's Miami Stories
Bill's Sea Stories
Bill Grefe 2011 Interview
Live and Let Die News Report
Legend Award

* Film-Making Seminars:
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3

* Industrials:
Bacardi: Shatner
Fame with William Shatner
Investing in Movies with Lauren Bacall

* Short Films:
Thumbs
Iceman
A Cask of Amontillado
Ubderwood

* Still Galleries:
Production Stills
Press
Drive-In Delirium
Newspaper Ad Gallery
Video Releases
Bill Grefe
Revivial
Cover Art by Dave Lebow

* Grindhouse Releasing Prevues of Coming Attractions: Death Game, Hollywood 90028, Bogard, Scrum of the Earth, Love is Deep Inside, Ice House, Family Enforcer, Cannibal Holocaust, Cannibal Ferox, Massacre Mafia Style, Gone with the Pope, Pieces, The Beyond, Cat in the Brain, Corruption, An American Hippie in Israel, The Swimmer, The Big Gundown, The Tough Ones and I Drink Your Blood

So, as you can see not only are your getting the newly restored Impulse, but 2 additional full length feature films. Short films, audio commentaries, featurettes, interviews and so much more. There is also a Slipcover, reversible Blu-ray insert, A booklet with information about Impulse and a mini replica painting of Shatner as Matt Stone! 

When you think physical media, you think bonus features. And Grindhouse Releasing have loaded up this release with so much material, horror film fans will have a field day with this release!

So, if you love cult horror films from the 1970s. This Shatner film is a must see. And Grindhouse Releasing's Blu-ray beyond the shadow of a doubt the best way to witness it. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today!

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Grindhouse Releasing Blu-ray of Impulse receives....