Search - Fade to Black [Collector's Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1980 DVD Release: 08/24/1999 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 42 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 7 Genres: Thriller, Slasher Film, Psychological Thriller

An interesting, introspective variant on the '80s slasher formula, this low-key psychological thriller details the troubled life of obsessed movie junkie Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher), whose love of old movies extends far beyond his job at a film distributor's warehouse and endless late-night film screenings in his bedroom. His singular obsession eventually rounds the bend into psychosis after he crosses paths with a Marilyn Monroe look-alike (Linda Kerridge), who becomes the physical embodiment of his cinematic desires. When stood up on what he believed would be their first date, Eric becomes homicidally unbalanced, transforming himself into a gallery of classic movie characters -- including Dracula, The Mummy, Hopalong Cassidy, and Norman Bates -- and sets out to destroy his oppressors, starting with his crotchety wheelchair-bound Aunt Stella (Eve Brent Ashe), then targeting a boorish co-worker (a very young Mickey Rourke), and eventually working his way toward Kerridge. The film begins with a groovy concept, but loses something in the execution -- the horror and comedy elements fail to gel completely, and Christopher's performance is too creepy to generate much empathy. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Dennis Christopher - Eric Binford
Linda Kerridge - Marilyn
Tim Thomerson - Dr. Moriarty
Morgan Paull - Gary Bially
Hennen Chambers - Bart

Anchor Bay does an another solid archival job with their DVD edition of Fade to Black. The image is a big step up from past VHS editions of this title, restoring the film to its proper widescreen ratio and adding a lot more color and detail to the picture (especially in the unexpectedly sharp vintage movie clips used throughout the film). The audio uses the original mono soundtrack and it sounds surprisingly sharp despite its non-stereo limitations. Sadly, the only extra offered on the disc is the film’s trailer: it is spoiler-laden enough that first-time viewers should avoid watching it until they’ve seen the film. However, Anchor Bay makes up for the lack of extras with a stylish and well-conceived presentation of the film: the animated title screen makes amusing use of one of the film’s most iconic images and the disc thoughtfully divides the film up into a generous 28 chapters. All in all, this is a solid no-frills disc that is guaranteed to please fans of Fade to Black. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide