MovieChat Forums > Killers from Space (1954) Discussion > Proper DVD?

Proper DVD?

posted 16 years ago by hobnob53
6 replies | jump to latest

Although KILLERS FROM SPACE is in the public domain -- which is why virtually all the available prints of this movie are so crummy -- there was one VHS of it put out in the 90s that was a very good print. This was released by Englewood Entertainment and was part of the so-called Wade Williams Collection, a bunch of old, mostly p.d. films (sci-fi but many other kinds of films as well) for which Williams and Englewood had acquired mostly first-rate prints (though WW did mess around with several of these in some way -- including, for some unknown reason, using stills of the opening credits, rather than just showing the credits normally, on some).

Anyway, many of these titles have since been released on DVD from Image, almost all in excellent prints. But several -- including KILLERS, W. Lee Wilder's previous PHANTOM FROM SPACE, and some others (COSMIC MONSTERS, for instance) have yet to show up from this source. Image is still putting out some of Williams's titles -- the film noir THE WELL was one just released earlier this year -- so there's still hope that one day these other flicks, including KFS, will be given a reasonably pristine release. Maybe a nudge to Image might help.

If and when this happens I hope Image does NOT include one little device Williams insisted on adding onto the VHS: whenever Graves sees the alien's eyes in front of his face, Williams had the scene tinted green. As far as I can tell this was not in the original film (if it was, my apologies). It certainly adds nothing to the movie. Unfortunately Wade Williams has had a habit of mucking about with some of these films, adding "improvements" such as his awkward FX for ROCKETSHIP X-M and green "psychotronic" effects (whatever they are) in his version of CARNIVAL OF SOULS. Also, please restore the RKO logo at the end of the film, missing from his VHS!

[–] Emeglis 9 years ago

The company Sinister Cinema recently began offering an upgraded version of this title. It's sourced from 35mm elements and looks quite good - much, MUCH improved over all of the earlier DVD releases. It's currently listed on their website in the "new releases" section.

And no green tinting!

[–] hobnob53 9 years ago

Yes, I bought a copy a few weeks ago when it came out. I wanted to post something about it here but hadn't gotten around to it. Your reply pushed me to start a new thread about that disc, which I just posted.

While this new SC DVD is generally a very good print of the movie, I still have a couple of issues, which as I wrote in that post may be nit-picking to some but which I really do think matter. Have a look if you wish. I suspect you won't really agree with me, Emeglis, but you may at least see where I'm coming from.

But you're right, no green tinting is a plus!

[–] Emeglis 9 years ago

I agree, an ever better DVD release that includes all of the end credits, and both of the RKO tags, would be welcome. It's crazy, I know, but I really like this movie, and wouldn't hesitate to fork over more dough if somebody ever puts out a super-deluxe 100% restored version.

In the meantime, though, it's great to finally have a watchable copy on DVD. I used to own two different "public domain" DVDs, but never managed to watch either one all the way through - the quality was so poor, it was impossible to enjoy the movie.

[–] hobnob53 9 years ago

I agree with you 100%, Emeglis. And don't feel crazy -- I really like this movie too, and frankly have never quite understood why it's so knocked by everyone. Yes, it's cheaply made, with poor effects, but it has a surprisingly good cast, a decent script and some cool ideas. Given more time and money and a better director it might have been a well-thought-of B. But even as it is I think it's pretty good -- and not in the "so bad it's good" sense, but objectively good.

If they could take the body of the new Sinister disc and splice on the opening RKO logo, the complete credits at the end (which, oddly, are very ragged on the new Sinister copy, worse than Alpha Video's and most others), and add the full RKO closing logo, they'd have a pretty near-mint copy. The VHS copy from Wade Williams in the 90s was almost perfect save for missing the closing RKO logo, and of course his adding that green tint business whenever the eyes appeared in front of Graves's face. Frustrating that no one seems willing to take the time to do this. The basic elements are all there.

[–] Emeglis 9 years ago

I just found a thread at the Home Theater Forum about another "restored" edition of KILLERS FROM SPACE...no mention so far about whether it includes the RKO logos or the complete ending credits, though. Seems like it's a pretty good transfer, and looks like it might be even better than the SC version:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/342566-killers-from-space-1954-dvd-restored-edition/

[–] hobnob53 9 years ago

Hey, now that is really curious news, E. I went not only to your HTF link but from there to the Amazon page provided. I was interested to note that the guy who posted the news wrote about the Wade Williams VHS from the 90s, saying exactly what I found.

This isn't the disc from Sinister but could be from the same source material. It was just released two weeks ago, for whatever that's worth. I'm a bit hesitant to order it only if it turns out to be exactly the same as the SC DVD. I may use your link to go back to check for any reviews later on.

Some people on HTF said that they're worried about ordering this disc but receiving one from another company. But I don't think that's really a risk with Amazon since each DVD, even of the same film, has its own distinct number. (It might happen with a Marketplace seller but not Amazon itself.) But as I said I don't just want to buy the exact same print of the film as is on offer from SC.

If you learn anything, please keep us all posted. Thanks -- and great detective work!