Every time I see one of the classic films of my youth
getting yet ANOTHER release on DVD I kind of shudder a little so when I heard
of this new InfiniFilm release of A Nightmare on Elm Street I figured it would be just
another rehashing of the same old shit. Boy
was I wrong.
This is the stand out, must have, kick ass version of
ANOES. The film looks and sounds the
best it ever has but the real reason to pick this baby up is because of the
special features. The film comes in two
versions, the standard that we have all seen and love and then you can view the
Infinifilm version which allows you to click at certain parts of the film and
veer off into clips, alternate scenes, interviews and the like that have to do with
that particular scene. I loved it. It made the film so interesting to watch.
This is a two disc set and the 2nd disc is just
crammed with out of the world special productions. The stand out being called an “All Access
Pass” which is a series
of never before seen documentaries title “Never Sleep Again” that takes us
behind the film in a way that I have never experienced before. Also there is a nifty little game called “Freddy’s
Coming For You” that is sure to entertain you for a while.
There are also a set of other documentaries titled “Beyond
the Movie” that I found a little less interesting when coupled with the “All
Access Pass” features but were still well produced, just a little dull. The first one is “The House That Freddy Built”
which is pretty much a company retrospect of New Line and how they pretty much
owe everything to the Nightmare films, the second is title Night Terrors and is
a short feature on the nightmares that haunt director Wes Craven….whatever.
Also included are full length audio essays from Wes Craven,
Robert Englund and Heather Lanenkamp, who still looks fantastic by the
way. I’ll list the complete set of
special features at the bottom of this article, so make sure to read all the
way through for the complete details.
Think what you will of the Nightmare franchise but you can’t
take away the fact that the original was a tight, scary, original piece of work
and it is great to see it celebrated with a DVD release that pays it homage and
presents it is such a fashion that you come away from the viewing knowing what
a breakthrough film it was.
Just another rehashed release, I don’t think so. If you’re a fan of the film it is a must own
title. Lets hope New Line picks some
more of there horror catalogue and gives them the Infinifilm treatment.
Here are the complete disc specs:
DVD Features:
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 6.1 EX),
English (DTS 6.1 ES)
Newly remastered picture and sound restored from the
original film negative
Commentary by director Wes Craven, stars Heather Langenkamp
and John Saxon, and director of photography Jacques Haitkin
Alternate ending(s)
"Never Sleep Again: The Making of A Nightmare on Elm Street"
featurette
"The House That Freddy Built: The Legacy of New Line
Horror" featurette
"Night Terrors: The Origins of Wes Craven's
Nightmares" featurette
Pop-up Prompts
Nightmare Fact Track
Video Clips
Exclusive "Infinifilm" ROM content
The disc is available now just about anywhere they sell DVD’s. Pick it up it is a great addition to any
horror fans collection.