Monday, September 12, 2016

The Hills Have Eyes





Wes Craven is know primarily for 2 movies, 3 if your a big horror fan.  Those films are Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, and Last House on the Left.  All fantastic films in there own right.  However back in 1977 Craven made The Hills Have Eyes.  A fantastic film, that not only spawned a sequel, that Craven later disowned but a remake in 2005 as well.  Over the years the film has continued to build a huge cult following and now, finally the fine folks over at Arrow are releasing this in a new collectors edition it so well deserves.


Hills Have Eyes is the story of The Carter family.  There on there way to California but decide to make a stop on the way to some old silver min out in the middle of the desert.  There accompanied on this trip by there daughters husband as well as there dogs.  They stop for gas at an old gas station and are warned by the owner not to go out in the desert as the military uses it for weapon testing, and the silver mines have been empty for years. They pay no mind and head out only to have there camper crash in the middle of nowhere where they soon become the prey of an inbred family of cannibals lead by Papa Jupiter.


The "Family" slaughter several of the Carters, murders there dogs and even steals their newborn baby.  In fact the scene in which Papa Jupiter's family attack the camper to steal the baby was ranked number 41 on Bravos 100 Scariest Movie Moments.


The film has all the blood and guts and suspense for any horror fan, and features an exceptionally well done score.  It relies not only on the gore but the pacing and said score to set the tone for the truly suspenseful moments and good old fashioned scare jumps.  Now with all the said the gore is very well done as well, in fact it was originally given an X rating.  And now thanks to Arrow you are getting it uncut and on Blu Ray with all of these special features


  • Brand new 4K restoration from original film elements, supervised by producer Peter Locke
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
  • Original mono audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • 6 x postcards
  • Reversible fold-out poster featuring new and original artwork
  • Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens and a consideration of the Hills franchise by Ewan Cant, illustrated with original archive stills
  • Audio commentary with Wes Craven and Peter Locke
  • Looking Back on The Hills Have Eyes – making-of documentary featuring interviews with Craven, Locke, actors Michael Berryman, Dee Wallace, Janus Blythe, Robert Houston, Susan Lanier and director of photography Eric Saarinen
  • The Desert Sessions – brand new interview with composer Don Peake
  • Alternate ending, in HD for the first time
  • Trailers and TV Spots
  • Image Gallery
  • Original Screenplay (BD/DVD-ROM Content)
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper


  • Now that's a loaded Disc.  The film alone is enough to buy as the video transfer is beyond gorgeous.  Its one of the nicest transfers to date.  The special features only add to this package.  And if for some reason you need another reason to pick this up Roger Ebert gave the film a thumbs down and called it "Decadent" and it is, but in a good way.


    Beautiful transfer, loaded extras, and a fantastic film that still stand the test of time.  I just got done watching it and I must say it holds up perfectly.  I recommend any fan of the film or horror fan in general picks this up.


    Overall 4 out of 5 Stars.

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