Dead-End
Drive-In
(1986 aka Dead
End Drive-In/MVD
Visual/Arrow Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B Extras: B Film: C+
While
VERY '80s in terms of fashion, music, and style, Brian
Trenchard-Smith's 1986 film Dead-End
Drive In
is a nicely produced, well shot Ozploitation film that is geared
towards fans of Mad Max-esque post apocalyptic thrills. Thanks to
Arrow, you can enjoy the film in in U.S. and in all of its high-def
glory with some interesting, expanded extras that will be sure to
please fans new and old alike. The film stars Ned Manning, Natalie
McCurry, and Peter Whitford to name a few with a screenplay by Peter
Smalley (The
Wild Duck).
Set
in the post apocalyptic 1990s, Jimmy Crabs (Manning) lives in a
violent Police State where fires, riots, and violent rampages are the
norm. He asks out Carmen (McCurry) and the two end up going to a
Drive-In, only to find that his wheels are stolen and they can't
escape. Turns out that the Drive-in has become a prison with
electrified fences and cops that make sure nobody leaves. Home to
hundreds of young adult criminal misfits, the Drive-In doesn't hold
back Crabs from doing all in his power to try to escape - be it
stealing police vehicles or shooting whoever he needs to make sure
that happens.
While
an entertaining popcorn muncher, there are many things in the film
that don't add up. Namely, the prisoners of this Drive-in are able
to carry concealed weapons, do drugs, and basically live whatever
kind of destructive life they choose... so why haven't they rebelled
against the Police and overtaken the Drive-In themselves a while ago?
Still, with a budget of two million Australian Dollars, the film
doesn't look too shabby and you can quickly see that the money is on
the screen.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and
a great sounding PCM Stereo 2.0 track, the new 2K restoration from
the original film negative looks fantastic on Blu-ray disc with rich
colors throughout and upgraded sound that finally outdoes the mixed
performance of the import DVD we reviewed a good few years ago. The
film is very colorful - with several characters looking very vibrant
on disc themselves, so the color is very accurate.
Extras
repeat the feature length audio commentary by director Brian
Trenchard-Smith from the import DVD, a theatrical trailer and adds
the following...
The
Stuntmen,
Trenchard Smith's classic television documentary on Grant Page (Mad
Max,
Road
Games)
and other Australian stunt performers
Hospitals
Don't Burn Down,
Trenchard-Smith's 1978 public information film told in pure
Ozploitation
fashion
Behind
the scenes gallery by graffiti artist Vladimir Cherepanoff
Reversible
sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Chris
Malbon
and
First
pressing only:
fully-illustrated collector's booklet containing writing on the films
by Cullen Gallagher and Neil Mitchell
For
more on the film, try our coverage of the older import DVD...
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/9727/Dead+End+Drive-In+(1986/Region+Four/4/PAL+Im
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
