In 1982 Hong Kong jumped onboard with the attack film with a reptile a lot of people have fear of. The film was entitled Calamity of Snakes. Now as the film has passed it's 40th anniversary, Unearthed Films under the label Unearthed Classics are giving this film a deluxe Blu-ray release.
After a businessman kills thousands of snakes in a pit while they are building a new apartment building. The people living there soon become attacked by millions of snakes with a vengeance.
Long before there was Snakes on a Plane, there was Calamity of Snakes. And Calamity is so real! Of course it is because this is a film long before CGI, so the actors and actresses had to deal with real snakes. That is one things that this reviewer couldn't have dealt with. Much respect to the actors to endure to make this entertaining horror comedy.
Unearthed Films is giving this film it's first physical media release here in America. It is hard to believe that this film has never seen a release prior to this one. So kudos to Unearthed Classics for giving this film a chance to live on Blu-ray and DVD.
Unearthed Films have transferred Calamity of Snakes to Blu-ray in 1080p HD widescreen (2.35:1). There are options for audio tracks of Chinese, Mandarin or the English dub. There are presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. There is also the option for English Subtitles.
This film transfer looks and sounds pretty impressive. While not without it's imperfections, some slight fading in colors in areas and some specks of dirt on the print. All in all it is a very nice looking transfer. But Unearthed Films added some cool bonus features on this release to make it even more of a must own for horror film fans.
* Audio Commentary from Nathan Hamilton and Brad Slaton
* Full Length Documentary: From Shaw to Snakes: The Venom And Violence Of Early Chinese Language Horror Cinema
This is an extremely interesting documentary. I must watch to understand the history of Chinese cinema.
* Reptilian Recollections: Lin Kuang-Yung In Conversation With Chui-Yi Chung
* Alternate Cut (87 min)
* Cruelty Free Cut (77 min)
* Alternate Mandarin Credits
* Gallery
* First-Pressing Only Slipcover
All the bonus features and 3 cuts of the film the Theatrical version, Alternate Version and Cruelty Free version. That is an impressive amount of material on one Blu-ray disc. And I must say that the cruelty free version of this release for me is the much more superior version. It runs at a breakneck speed so there is no chance to get bored with the story! Also while Calamity of Snakes it is a horror film it has a lot of comedy. Making it a lot of fun to watch.
Now Calamity of Snakes is not the greatest of Hong Kong horror films, far from it! But will have your skin crawl and will be a great fun little film to watch on a Halloween party! So if you are in for flesh crawling horrific good time Calamity of Snakes if going to be right up your alley. And Unearthed Films new Blu-ray release is the best way to witness it. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
Out of Four Film Reels (Four Being the Best) Unearthed Films Blu-ray of Calamity of Snakes receives...
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