Blue Sunshine 4K Review (Synapse Films)

Blue Sunshine is a 1977 horror film written and directed by Jeff Lieberman (Just Before Dawn, Squirm, Satan’s Little Helper, The NeverEnding Story III, Blade, But… Seriously, Doctor Franken, and Remote Control). It was produced by George Manasse (He Knows You’re Alone, Blade, Joe, Jump, The Wild Party, Final Verdict, Legion of Fire: Killer Ants!, and Who Killed Mary Whats’ername?). It had an estimated budget of $550,000. It all starts off as a great party wity eight people in a secluded lodge. One of the guests suddenly goes on a shockingly violent and murderous rampage. There is something wrong with his hair, and pure evil in his eyes. Falsely accused of the brutal killings, Jerry Zipkin (played by: Zalman King from Red Shoe Diaries, Galaxy of Terror, Endangered Species, Tell Me a Riddle, Some Call It Loving, Sammy Somebody, and Trip with the Teacher) decides to go on the run. More bizarre killings occur, so he’s really stuck in this awful situation now. While trying to clear his name before it’s too late, he discovers the unexpected truth about what created all of this chaos. The people losing their hair and turning into violent psychopaths may be connected to a drug each one took a decade before. It’s known as “Blue Sunshine” and it’s taking over!!!! Blue Sunshine is low budget film making on a very high level. Jeff Lieberman proves that it can be done right especially with the skilled behind the scenes crew and all of the departments stepping up. The underrated horror director adds a unique take when it comes to drug and body horror. The tension filled script has lots of suspense and thrills plus it doesn’t shy away from it’s consistent violence. Red Shoe Diaries own Zalman King is the tormented Jerry Zipkin. This is one of his rare leading roles. He always at the wrong place at the wrong time in Blue Sunshine. He looks guilty as hell but he will do anything to clear his name from all of these nasty executions. He goes on his investigation to solve this disturbing mystery. The rest of the cast includes Brion James (Tango and Cash), Deborah Winters (Kotch), Mark Goddard (Lost in Space), Robert Walden (Audrey Rose), Charles Siebert (Coma), Ann Cooper (Blue Thunder), Ray Young (Coffy), Alice Ghostley (The Graduate), Stefan Gierasch (Carrie), Richard Crystal (Amityville Horror: The Evil Escapes), Bill Adler (Switchblade Sisters), Barbara Quinn (Squirm), Adriana Shaw (Altered States), Bill Sorrells (The Howling), Argentina Brunetti (General Hospital), Jim Storm (Dark Shadows), and James Carroll (Killers of the Flower Moon). Blue Sunshine has a Larry Cohen meets David Cronenberg vibe to it. It deals with a bad batch of LSD in college in the late 60’s that alters the minds of it’s participates. The results are shocking, normal people start transforming into something else which causes a graphic murder spree. They are in a deep trance and they can’t stop their violent urges. They have a great creepy look to them. The main character becomes a fugitive so he’s forced to figure out what’s really happening before he killed for these weird events. It has some interesting subplots between all of the madness. It has a nice build up to everything. It keeps itself tense, entertaining, and it stays with the audience long after it’s finished. It’s beyond ambitious but it really comes through especially for having no budget. It has fantastic replay value to it and Blue Sunshine definitely represents when it was made. It’s a throwback to the late 60’s. I always enjoyed when experiments go bad and it turns into a nightmare, STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from Synapse Films! This 2160p (1.85:1) transfer with Dolby Vision and HDR10 is from a brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative. I’ve experienced Blue Sunshine on VHS, DVD, and Blu Ray before this newer upgrade. I have to say that Synapse Films remains one of the best when it comes to improvements in the boutique label community. This is a huge upgrade compared to the past, it’s almost feels like watching it for the very first time. The colors really pop now, this is the definitive version of the cult classic. It has English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono and English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks on the UHD. The pulse pounding score is the real stand out when it comes to the audio. All of the dialogue is crisp, the suspense is elevated, and the music has a massive boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. It has an “Audio Commentary” with director Jeff Lieberman from 2003 moderated by Howard S. Berger. It has an additional 2016 “Audio Commentary” with director Jeff Lieberman moderated by Elijah Drenner. Both tracks are completely different from each other which I appreciate because variety is always nice. The first one is more like a traditional commentary and the second feels more like an interview to me. Regardless, it’s full of information and stories. Everything that you ever wanted to know about Blue Sunshine is most likely discussed on one of these. They are excellent companion pieces. It has a brand new exclusive a little over a minute “Introduction” with Jeff Lieberman. It has the almost 41 minute “Archival 2003 Interview” with Jeff Lieberman. This wasn’t on the original DVD so this is a great addition to this home video release. He goes over his influences. His own memories with drugs. He chats about his history and his career. He talks about the production, the budget, and his personal experiences on it. He shows appreciation and respect for the horror genre including his honest thoughts on remakes. It has the little over 30 minute “Lieberman on Lieberman” interview. He chats about his beginnings. He gets very personal here. He talks about his younger days and his work in film over the years. It has the little over 14 minute “Channel Z Fantasy Film Festival” interview with Mick Garris and Jeff Lieberman. This conversation provides all kinds of knowledge when it comes to the cult film maker. He focuses on the mixture of horror and comedy. It has the “Fantasia Film Festival 4K Premiere Q and A” with moderator Michael Gingold and director Jeff Lieberman. The director answers a variety of questions in this from the crowd. He has some awesome stories here. It has a few Anti-drug “scare films” featuring 1967’s LSD-25 (Almost 27 minutes) directed by David Parker (Too Tough to Care) and 1968’s LSD: Insight or Insanity? (18 minutes) directed by Max Miller (Marijuana, Playboy’s Penthouse, The Price Is Right, and The Perfect Drug Film) from the American Genre Film Archive. It has multiple cuts of the 1972 debut short film from director Jeff Lieberman “The Ringer” that’s remastered in 4K by Synapse Films from the original camera negative. It’s focuses on greed and influence. It’s almost 20 minutes for the original uncut and 19 minutes for the final edit with a very small cast. It has an optional “Audio Commentary” director Jeff Lieberman moderated by Howard S. Berger. It has a few “Theatrical Trailers” that’s a little over 5 minutes. It has the little over 5 minute “Still Gallery”. This comes with reversible artwork and Synapse Films AD. This needs to be added to your collection especially if you are fan of Blue Sunshine or Jeff Lieberman. It’s loaded with hours of entertaining bonus material that will keep you busy for hours. This standard version is available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!