Sleepaway Camp (Blu-ray Review) - Scream Factory

USA/1983
Directed By: Robert Hiltzik
Written By: Robert Hiltzik
Starring: Felissa Rose, Jonathan Tierston, Paul DeAngelo
Color/84 Minutes/Not Rated
Region A
Release Date: May 27, 2014

The Film
After a boating accident left her father dead 8 years earlier, Angela now livers with her aunt and cousin Ricky. Angela and Ricky are setting off for a summer at Camp Arawak. Angela is a very shy and quiet girl, while Ricky is just the opposite and spends much of his time protecting his cousin and cussing out whoever taunts her. Camp Arawak is your typical camp, full of summer activities, and colorful characters. Some of the less than savory characters begin to meet their end in various gruesome ways and the identity of the killer is unknown until there's a shocking revelation by the waterfront.

SLEEPAWAY CAMP has always been one of my favorite slasher films. It's a bit sleazier than most other 80s body count films and the kills lead to some gory effects. The acting is pretty decent for such a film despite it's budgetary constraints. The sexual undertones (and at times in your face overtones) of the film make SLEEPAWAY CAMP stand out from the pack and make the classic ending (don't spoil it for yourself!) a punch in the gut. SLEEPAWAY CAMP is a true 80s classic.

The Audio & Video
Scream Factory has done right by the slasher gods because this Blu-ray is gorgeous. SLEEPAWAY CAMP has notoriously never looked great. The best home video release prior to this BD was the Anchor Bay DVD set which always looked a bit hazy. That problem is gone. The 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer got an all new 2K HD scan and looks great. The image is much sharper and clearer than it ever has been on home video. Skin tones are fleshy and natural, colors are vibrant and black levels are deep. There's no compression issues, or instances of excessive DNR or edge enhancement. SLEEPAWAY CAMP's picture quality finally matches it's infinite rewatchability.

The disc features a DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track that sounds excellent. Scream Factory wisely stayed away from trying to create a faux surround mix and simply took the original track and made it sound excellent. There's no instances of background noise and the track is perfectly mixed.

Note: Images taken from DVD version of the film

The Extras
The stacked lineup of special features include:
-An all new commentary track w/ Felissa Rose and Jonathan Tierston
-Original audio commentary  track w/ Robert Hiltzik, Felissa Rose and Jeff Hayes
-"At The Waterfront After The Social: The Legacy Of Sleepaway Camp" - An awesome 45 minute featurette featuring interviews from key cast and crew members discussing their time on set and beyond
-Sleepaway Camp Scrapbook
-"Judy" - A short film by Jeff Hayes starring Karen Fields
-"Princess" - A music video by Jonathan Tierston
-Rare images from make-up effects artist Ed French
-Theatrical Trailer
-TV Spots
-A demonstration of the 2K film scan process

The Bottom Line
One of my favorite slasher films given the royal treatment? Do I need to spell it out for you? GO. BUY. IT. 

SLEEPAWAY CAMP is available HERE