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DVD Review: A Nightmare On Elm Street - (2 Disc Infinifilm Collection)
By Dave Dreher

Oct 6, 2006, 08:10

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 2^nd 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.