STEPHEN KING'S "GRAVEYARD SHIFT" GETS ITS NORTH AMERICAN BLU-RAY DEBUT ON JULY 28TH!
Last September I mentioned GRAVEYARD SHIFT in an entry into my WANTED ON BLU-RAY column. Seeing as how Scream Factory was releasing a lot of Paramount titles, I made an educated guess that this oft-forgotten 90s Horror gem would end up in their catalog in the not too distant future.
And now, eght months later, I stand before you all with a big grin on my face because I WAS RIGHT! So get excited Vault Dwellers because in just over two months, we'll all get to enjoy this (very loose) adaptation of King's short story from his Night Shift anthology!
Synopsis: Workers clock in for their shift ... and clock out for good! From master storyteller Stephen King (Pet Sematary) comes his most terror-filled tale yet ...
When an abandoned textile mill is reopened, several employees meet mysterious deaths. The link between the killings is the hour: all occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. – the GRAVEYARD SHIFT. The sadistic mill foreman has chosen a group to clean up the mill's rat-infested basement. But what the workers find is a subterranean maze of tunnels leading to the cemetery – and an unimaginable horror that comes alive in the dead of night ...
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 89 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1?)
Audio - TBA
Extras:
TBA
The bonus features for Scream Factory's GRAVEYARD SHIFT Blu-ray are still in progress as of my posting this, but I'll be sure to update this post as soon as that info has been supplied to me! In the meantime, you can guarantee a copy of GRAVEYARD SHIFT for your personal collection by ordering it now (for between $20 - $25) through AMAZON, BULL MOOSE, DIABOLIK DVD, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY.
UPDATE [08/20/25]: Kino Lorber Studio Classics gave DEATH MACHINE its big Blu-ray debut on May 28, 2024! The two-disc set contains THREE cuts of the film, two new audio commentaries, plus other new and archival extras about the making of the film! You can order a copy now from Amazon.com HERE!
After cutting his teeth as a director on 1994's DEATH MACHINE (more on that later!), Stephen went on to direct BLADE for New Line Cinema in 1998. The success of that film was followed by another project he wrote and directed (THE LAST MINUTE, which seems oddly prophetic in retrospect), and it seemed like he was destined for bigger and better things! Then in 2003 it happened: Stephen Norrington's directing career ground to a halt thanks to a little movie called THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN.
This production was nothing short of a perfect storm of awfulness: Stephen was saddled with a disgruntled Sean Connery (who was by all accounts, openly disdainful of Norrington on the set), experienced frequent studio interference (the Fox execs decided the movie needed hit theaters in the Summer, rather than its intended Fall release), and, in mid-production, he had to search for a new special effects shop to work on the film! So it came as no surprise that Norrington quit directing soon after. As for the film itself, it was a moderate commercial success but was savaged by critics, disowned by Alan Moore (no shock there), and the focus of a plagiarism lawsuit between 20th Century Fox and.... LARRY COHEN?! (Yup! True story!)
Since the entire LEAGUE incident Norrington's done some effects work (most recently in HARBINGER DOWN), but has yet to return to the director's chair even though he's been attached to several projects including THE CROW reboot and THE LOST PATROL (which are both apparently mired in development hell). Personally I think Stephen Norrington got a raw
deal, and I continue to patiently await his return to
filmmaking. But until that day arrives, lets take a look back to 1995 when DEATH MACHINE was released, and Stephen's future as a director was so bright he had to wear shades!
Jack Dante takes part in "Bring Your Warbeast To Work Day."
Synopsis: In the not too distant future, a mega-corporation called Chaank Armaments is working on "The Hardman Project," a weapons system that is supposed to turn average troops into cybernetic super soldiers! But when a test subject goes on a killing spree and murders a bunch of civilians, there is (unsurprisingly) a large public outcry. In steps Hayden Cale (Ely Pouget), the new CEO of Chaank, who wants to provide transparency to the public and shut down the project. She's met with stiff resistance from the board of directors and the Hardman Project's unhinged weapons designer Jack Dante (Brad Dourif). Shortly after Cale terminates Dante's employment with the company and locks down Vault 10 (where his latest secret invention is housed), things quickly spiral out of control.
A trio of "eco-warriors" (named Sam Raimi, Weyland, and Yutani) break into the building with the intention of hacking/bankrupting Chaank, but end up getting tricked into cutting open the mysterious Vault 10, thus unleashing Dante's mechanical monster called The Frontline Morale Destroyer (aka The Warbeast). The technological terror immediately begins hunting for targets (by "sensing" their fear) and mauls anyone unlucky enough to be caught in its path. With Dante holding all the cards, the would-be eco-terrorists and Cale must find a way out of the locked-down building, or discover a way to defeat the dreaded Warbeast that is running amok!
DEATH MACHINE was written and directed by Stephen Norrington and is, essentially, a well-funded and ambitious fan film. The Warbeast has a passing resemblance to the Xenomorphs Norrington helped create in ALIENS and ALIEN 3, plus many of the characters are named after directors (e.g. Carpenter, Raimi, Dante) or inspired by the ALIEN films (e.g. "Scott Ridley," Weyland, and Yutani). Not surprisingly, the effects are fairly well done (the Warbeast is a brilliantly nasty piece of work!) and Dourif steals the show as Jack Dante (a role that got him nominated for best actor at the 1995 Sitges Film Festival)!
I missed out on this movie back in the 90s (when it was released to VHS) but saw it years later (either on cable or DVD) and it immediately won me over! Sadly, DEATH MACHINE has been out of print (in the U.S.) since 2004, and much like its writer/director, is overdue for a comeback! Here's hoping to see a Region A Blu-ray release in 2020!
Availability: As is the case with the vast majority of titles I choose for this column, DEATH MACHINE is currently out of print. That being said, you can order new or used DVDs of the film from third party sellers on AMAZON and rent or buy DEATH MACHINE via Prime Video.
But for those of you who don't mind spending a little extra coin, you can obtain the Region Free German Blu-ray of DEATH MACHINE. This release comes in standard and limited editions: Both have the uncut version of the film, trailers, and an easter egg (i.e. a hidden featurette). The limited (to 3,000) edition is a three-disc set housed in a beautiful Digi-pack case with new artwork, and comes with both a Blu-ray and DVD copy of the film, plus a soundtrack CD!
You can pick up the standard release from AMAZON.DE or from DIABOLIK DVD! (Update: This disc is currently listed as out of stock!) The Limited Edition is a bit harder to track down, but it appears that DIABOLIK DVD still has some in stock!
Current Rights Holder: In Germany, Turbine Media has the distribution rights for DEATH MACHINE. Here in the States? Well.... DEATH MACHINE was released theatrically in 1995 by Trimark Pictures, and later on VHS by their now defunct Vidmark label. The DVD released in February of 2004 beared the Trimark logo as well, even though the company had already merged into Lionsgate in 2001. Therefore, one has to assume that Lionsgate currently has the North American rights to this film which means it could end up as part of the Vestron Collector's Series down the road!
Turbine Media's gorgeous 3-Disc Limited Edition that is shockingly light on extras.
Blu-ray Wishlist:
While I typically kick off my wishlist with mention a new 2K or 4K transfer, I have to say that the picture quality on the German disc is really good, so I'm perfectly fine with it being reused for a Region A release!
Every cut of the film: DEATH MACHINE has at least three different edits - the shortened theatrical version (approx. 99 minutes), the director's cut (111 minutes - which Stephen Norrington is apparently not a fan of?), and the unrated cut (122 minutes). Also, I'm not a hundred percent sure, but I think there's an even longer cut that runs at 128 minutes!
A Making-of Documentary - It would be very cool to have a feature-length doc that walked us through the inception and production of DEATH MACHINE. Naturally it should include interviews with Stephen Norrington, Brad Dourif, Ely Pouget, and various other cast & crew members!
An effects featurette on the creation of "The Warbeast!"
Audio commentary with Writer/Director Stephen Norrington and/or star Brad Dourif!
Poster & Stills Gallery
Trailers
Soundtrack CD
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of DEATH MACHINE's theatrical release so a North American Blu-ray could hopefully be on the horizon! And while we can own Stephen Norrington's directorial debut on Blu-ray thanks to the efforts of Turbine Media, I would still very much prefer a release specific to our region of the globe, especially if it is loaded with extras! And when that day finally arrives, you can be sure that I will shout it out from the top of the highest (digital) mountain!
UPDATE (08/20/2025): The Scream Factory release of GRAVEYARD SHIFT is now OOP. Luckily, Kino Lorber Studio Classics picked up the rights and has released this film on both Blu-ray and 4K UHD!
When I was growing up in my hometown of Scranton, PA between the late 80s / early 90s, there was an awesome mom & pop video store minutes away from the house called Electric City Video. With a cool sign (featuring neon pink lettering), its pleasant "video store smell" (a unique scent that can never be replicated), and impressive collection of Horror and Sci-Fi films on VHS. Sigh... it truly was heaven.
I always made sure to peruse the covers for the films that I wasn't allowed to watch, and how could I not? VHS covers were a definite art form, and beautifully designed to entice you to rent a movie. There were so many memorable VHS covers, but one that frequently caught my eye was Stephen King's GRAVEYARD SHIFT. The cyclopean skull with the bloody hardhat always drew me in.
I wouldn't actually get to see GRAVEYARD SHIFT until I was a teenager, when my uncle (a huge King fan that has since passed away) allowed me to borrow his VHS copy. While it didn't quite catch on with me then, I have since become a fan of this Stephen King adaptation, which is loosely based upon his short story of the same name. (It's one of the many tales contained in Night Shift!) With the upcoming theatrical release of DOCTOR SLEEP in November, plus the impending Blu-ray releases of THE SHINING (on 4K UHD), THE STAND (restored!), and SILVER BULLET (Collector's Edition!), I figure it's only a matter of time before GRAVEYARD SHIFT gets a physical media upgrade!
Synopsis: A drifter named John Hall (David Andrews - CHERRY 2000, FIGHT CLUB) gets hired at a rat-infested textile mill in Maine, that is run by an unhinged foreman named Warwick (Stephen Macht - THE MONSTER SQUAD, NIGHTWING). When asked to clean out the basement to make room for more office space, Hall and various other employees venture into the depths of the mill with Warwick, only to discover that rats aren't the only thing nesting beneath the ancient structure!
I'm starting to think Stephen Macht has an axe to grind against bats.
GRAVEYARD SHIFT also stars Andrew Divoff (WISHMASTER), Kelly Wolf (Tales From the Darkside), Brad Dourif (the voice of Chucky in the CHILD'S PLAY series), and Vic Polizos (C.H.U.D., NIGHT OF THE CREEPS, HARLEM NIGHTS), and features a team of special effects artists that are still actively working in Hollywood to this day! As far as book-to-film adaptions go, GRAVEYARD SHIFT is fairly accurate but makes some major changes in its third act, most likely due to budget constraints.
GRAVEYARD SHIFT is sole directorial effort of Ralph Singleton, who has spent most of his career producing films, including both PET SEMATARY movies and a pair of Eddie Murphy classics. His movie is a cool creature feature with a great cast, that totally embraces its own weirdness and absurdity. (In particular, that end credits "theme song" is SO bizarre!) By now, it surely has a large enough cult following to warrant an HD overhaul!
Availability: GRAVEYARD SHIFT is readily available on DVD and digital and super cheap to boot!
Current Rights Holder: This is an easy one for a change Vault Dwellers - Paramount owns the rights to GRAVEYARD SHIFT! And seeing as how Scream Factory has been dipping into the Paramount vaults as of late, I would not be shocked if they gave this movie its big Blu-ray debut!
"He's probably right you know."
Blu-ray Wishlist:
New 4K restoration from an original 35mm film print! (But I'd settle for 2K!)
Multiple cuts of the film: Theatrical, Director's Cut, & Network TV Edit.
Audio commentary with Director Ralph S. Singleton!
Deleted & Extended scenes (If no other cuts of the film are included.)
Interview with voice actor Frank Welker (who provided sounds for the film's mon-star).
Interviews with the cast and special effects crew!
Trailers
Poster & Stills Gallery
GRAVEYARD SHIFT's 30th Anniversary is next October, and I can't think of a better birthday gift for the film, than a nice Collector's Edition release! The movie pretty much broke even during its initial theatrical run, but I'm certain it quietly found an audience on VHS and late night cable TV since then. And hopefully somebody out there (cough, Scream Factory, cough) can find it in their heart to finally bring this oft-overlooked Stephen King fright flick to Blu-ray disc!
THE GOOD GUYS AT SCREAM FACTORY GIVE "CHILD'S PLAY" A BLU-RAY RELEASE TO DIE FOR ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18TH!
CHILD'S PLAY is one of the all-time greatest Horror films to come out of the 80s! Chucky became a household name, and his feature film debut spawned five sequels (with one more on the way)! Even if you already own this movie in any format (because let's face it, you do) an upgrade seems unavoidable this time around!
Film Synopsis: The "chills come thick and fast" (Los Angeles Times) in this riveting, jolt-a-minute thriller about an innocent-looking doll inhabited by the soul of a serial killer who refused to die. From the director of FRIGHT NIGHT (Tom Holland), CHILD'S PLAY comes complete with "excellent special effects" (Leonard Maltin) and a slew of special features that make this Blu-ray your "friend to the end!"
In this "clever, playful thriller" (The New York Times), only six-year-old Andy realizes that Chucky is responsible for a spate of gruesome murders, including that of his unsuspecting babysitter. But the real terror takes hold when the deranged doll becomes determined to transfer his evil spirit to a living human being... Andy!
Disc Specs:
Rated R | Color | 87 minutes | Region A
Video - 1080p Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio - DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Extras:
DISC ONE
NEW! 2K scan of the interpositive.
NEW! Audio Commentary with director Tom Holland.
Audio Commentary with Alex Vincent, Catherine Hicks and "Chucky" designer Kevin Yagher.
Audio Commentary with Producer David Kirschner and Screenwriter Don Mancini.
Select Scene Chucky Commentaries.
DISC TWO
NEW! Behind-the-Scenes Special Effects footage from Howard Berger. (60 minutes)
NEW! Howard Berger: Your Special Effects Friend ‘Til The End - Interview with special effects artist Howard Berger. (40 minutes)
NEW! Life Behind the Mask: Being Chucky – An interview with actor Ed Gale. (40 minutes)
Evil Comes in Small Packages featuring interviews with Don Mancini, David Kirschner, John Lafia, Chris Sarandon, Brad Dourif, Catherine Hicks, Alex Vincent, Kevin Yagher. (24 minutes)
Chucky: Building a Nightmare featuring Kevin Yagher. (10 minutes)
A Monster Convention featuring Catherine Hicks, Alex Vincent and Chris Sarandon. (5 minutes)
Introducing Chucky: The Making of Child's Play Vintage Featurette. (6 minutes)
Original Theatrical Trailer
Still Photo Gallery
Scream Factory's Collector's Edition of CHILD'S PLAY hits stores and online retailers on Tuesday, October 18th! You can order it from AMAZON.COM, or directly from SHOUT! FACTORY, which will net you this disc before its release date. Plus, it'll come with a free 18 x 24 poster of this disc's newly commissioned cover art! (While supplies last.)
Also, there is a DELUXE Collector's Edition available. It comes with a NECA Good Guy Doll action figure, TWO 18 x 24 posters, and two slipcovers with new artwork! This release is limited to 2,000 units, and can be ordered immediately HERE!
The Deluxe Collector's Edition comes with everything seen here
* Batteries not Included.
