CHEEZY FLICKS 2005 VERSION - NOT AS BAD AS ALL THAT
Jon | NY | 04/11/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There's been a lot written about how horrible the transfer to dvd looks, though most of those reviews do not bother to mention what copy they are reviewing.
First off, though technically unavailable at Amazon, this copy is still being sold by the manufacturer Cheezy Flicks Distribution (I am in no way affiliated with them nor owe them any favors) under third party sellers for less than five dollars which is at least what this copy is worth and won't set you back much. And they ship quickly.
Second, the film is widescreen - you get all the picture available.
Third, the original film print has it's issues beginning with reel two: it can be very dirty at times and scratched and towards the film's end there is a few instances of warpage. Following the "Spanish morning-after fire" sequence there is an optical effect that at first looks like a problem with the transfer; it isn't, the filmmakers layered footage of smoke billowing over the shots of the actors to make it look like the set had been on fire. One can tell easily as the camera pans about the scene and the smoke doesn't move.
Fourth, the sound is quite adequate - it's not THX or anything but there are no major drop-outs or annoyances that will disturb your viewing.
Fifth, yes, it seems this dvd was transfered from a vhs copy, HOWEVER, the picture is mainly sharp and the colors, while slightly washed due to the videotape, are as vivid as one might expect from the dvd's sources. Perfectly viewable and probably no different than fans of my generation will recall from seeing it on television.
So there you have it. At it's former price of almost twenty dollars I did not buy it myself, but for eight shipped it's absolutely worth it. The film itself is as creepy and thought provoking as I remembered it was: TDOTT was shown regularly on channel 7 WABC New York as their "4:30 Movie" and I watched it every time it was on, though the last time I saw it was twenty-five years ago or more.
There's nothing "cheezy" about the film - the people that made it obviously cared and it shows in what they did with the small budget they must have had: the triffids are terrifying and well designed, the shots are creative, and the lighting stands out as one of horror films best. The locales are well shot, the characters sympathetic and engaging, and the destruction well executed despite the limitations they had. The story unfolds deliberately and it's scope does not require much suspension of disbelief - this is one scary scenario!
The films slowness, by modern standards (which of late barely allows the viewer to observe action and effects for more than a second or two), may be a drawback to new fans accustomed to having their retinas assaulted but I'd advise them to stick with it - and lasso the kids into watching it with you before they are spoiled by faster paced fare.
In short, well worth your money and evening as one of the all time great "alien invasion/end of the world" movies. Don't wait, get it while it's still available because who knows how long it will take whoever to make a "restored" version and there's no telling how many copies are still available at "Cheezy Flicks".
***OOooOOOh! TCM has restored the film and are showing it at their festival. I suppose a new dvd won't be long in coming. Ah, well - I regret nothing."
CHEEZY FLICKS EDITION
LP45CDwoman | Virginia Beach, VA United States | 02/28/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Cheezy Flicks edition of THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS is indeed in 2:35 to 1 widescreen, and for the most part looks pretty good. There is one section toward the end of the film which looks like it was mastered from a different, poorer print, but it is still the proper aspect ratio. With all the bad, BAD DVDs of this film out there, this is about the best of the bunch, although I still hope some company finally does this film right sometime soon with a proper remastering."