Director – Piers Haggard (Return to Treasure Island)
Starring – Klaus Kinski (Nosferatu), Oliver Reed (The Pit and the Pendulum), and Nicol Williamson (Spawn)
Release Date – 1981
Rating – 3/5
Blu Release – 3.5/5
UHD – 4/5
Blue Underground has released some iconic films over the years. Hell, their re-releases of films on newer formats was my introduction to many of them. Many years ago, almost a decade now, BU re-released the 1981 horror flick Venom on blu. They were kind enough to send me a copy to review and this would be the first time I had seen the film.
It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago but looking at my original review did set the date for me. Anyway, a few weeks back BU sent over Venom again for me to check out and this time it was their new UHD release. This was the perfect chance for me to revisit this one. Like always, I want to thank Blue Underground for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert**The film follows a young boy who has a love for animals. His mother is wealthy and often leaves on business trips. One day she leaves for another trip and leaves him with her servants and his grandfather while she is away. What she doesn’t know is, is that her servants are sick of her shit and plan on kidnapping her son and extorting money from her.
However, what they are unaware of is that the young boy had just ordered a harmless snake but was accidentally sent a black mamba. Now the black mamba is out in the house killing at will forcing the young boy’s captors to fight for their lives while trying to deal with the police.**Spoiler Alert**
When I was in middle school a made for television film was released about rattlesnakes. The movie was kind of shitty but I enjoyed it. That was the time I started looking for other snake flicks and found Venom. The film looked fun and had one hell of a cast but after actually seeing it first hand I have to say that I am disappointed.
The acting in this one is great. Kinski was brilliant but I feel he did not give the film the attention that he would typically give a role. I felt like he wasn’t 100 percent. With that being said, Oliver Reed was fucking intense and his performance was squandered. He really needed a bigger role and more of a chance to shine.
The story for this one is pretty boring in hindsight but does have it’s moments. It is simple enough, focusing on the crime aspect around a kidnapping. We then toss in a little horror with the introduction of the snake killing everyone in almost a slasher like pattern. Sadly, the scenes drag on for far too long and the viewer quickly loses interest. Personally, this would have been fixed if there was two or three snakes to keep the characters on their toes.
Finally, the film has a few on screen kills that are just as boring as some of the scenes. The kill with the snake is quick, out of focus and from the snakes point of view. No blood with this gag and its over before it gets good. We then get a a few gunshot kills that are just like the snake kills. They are quick and sudden with no gratification for the horror fan. The effects are minimal and not that bloody.
Overall, Venom is a decent film but is boring for the most part. The cast does a great job but Klaus Kinski was a bit of a disappointment. He is still better than most actors but he didn’t dial it in like I am used to. Fans of naturing running amok or crime thrillers will appreciate this release from Blue Underground but those wanting a bloody horror film may be disappointed.
Special Features:
Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras:
Audio Commentary #1 with Director Piers Haggard
NEW! Audio Commentary #2 with Film Historians Troy Howarth, Nathaniel Thompson and Eugenio Ercolani
Disc 2 (Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras:
Audio Commentary #1 with Director Piers Haggard
NEW! Audio Commentary #2 with Film Historians Troy Howarth, Nathaniel Thompson and Eugenio Ercolani
NEW! Fangs For The Memories – Interview with Editor/Second Unit Director Michael Bradsell
NEW! A Slithery Story – Interview with Makeup Artist Nick Dudman
NEW! Mamba Memories – Interview with Author & Critic Kim Newman
NEW! Pick Your Poison – Interview with The Dark Side’s Allan Bryce
Trailers
TV Spots
NEWLY EXPANDED! Poster & Still Gallery
BONUS! Collectible Booklet with essay by Michael Gingold
