D V D C R Y P T

MY BLOODY VALENTINE

Directed by George Mihalka
Written by John Beaird
Produced by John Dunning, Andre Link & Stephen Miller
Music by Paul Zaza
Cast: Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, Neil Affleck, Keith Knight, Alf Humphreys, Cynthia Dale, Helene Udy, Rob Stein & Peter Cowper

1981/90 mins/Color/Dolby Digital Mono
1.85:1 anamorphic/English/Canada/NTSC Region 1

Review from the Paramount DVD

For the first time in 20 years, the mining town of Valentine's Bluff will celebrate Valentine's day. A terrible accident happened back then but now its time to move on. As the locals are preparing for the celebration, it looks like Harry Warden is back in town, killing everyone who didn't follow his warning to never again hold a Valentine party.

For slasher fans around the world, MY BLOODY VALENTINE is certainly one of the most beloved of the genre. Released at a time when slashers were costing nothing and making big bucks. Director George Mihalka took full advantage of the creepy mines and cold Canadian location to create certainly what is still to this day one of the best looking slasher ever. The movie has a high body count for the time, twelve unlucky person die at the hands of our crazed killer.

The last act of the movie takes place on Valentine's day which according to the caption at the bottom of the screen is happening on Saturday... Saturday the 14th. Well maybe the day before, Friday the 13th which was another slasher released by Paramount, another killer by the name of Jason Voorhes was also doing his evil deeds.

This $2.5 million shot was a troubled one. In the end, the movie was released on February 11th and made a mere $6 million at the box office. Its interesting to note that the movie was originally called THE SECRET. John Dunning and Andre Link also produced another slasher favorite, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

In 2001 a sequel to be called THE RETURN OF THE MINER was rumoured but as expected Paramount decided not too do it. The story picks up with Sarah now the sheriff of Valentine Bluffs. She and T.J. are married and they've had a few sons of their own, the latter around which the basic action will focus.

MY BLOODY VALENTINE celebrates its release on DVD but Paramount unfortunately released it just like its theatrical cut. Much like the victims in the film, the movie was butchered to avoid the dreaded 'X' rating for graphic violence. After FRIDAY THE 13th, the MPAA had this one cut to pieces. Producer John Dunning has discovered 6 minutes of lost footage. Unfortunately there is no plan from Paramount to rerelease this one as it was meant to be.

The movie is presented in tis original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and it is anamorphic. The transfer is simply stunning! The colors are rich, nicely saturated and without any artifacts or compression problems. The Dolby Digital Mono tracks both pretty good. We get the choice of either English or French. The English one is a bit clearer. English subtitles are also available. Unfortunately the disc comes with no extras which is a real shame especially considering that director George Mihalka and the producers would have so much to say about it. The movie is separated in 15 chapters, comes in a keep case with an inlay card.

"Take... Your... PICK!"

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