This is how you do a good solid fairly priced release. Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker is an oddball movie with a title to match it’s weirdness. It came out of the 80s slasher boom period and brought something sort of different. Bathed in queer undertones and featuring a totally unhinged performance from Susan Tyrell. The movie has something unique about it whilst leaning on tropes and stereotypes. It feels fresh compared to some slashers and packs a punch with a carnage filled finale.
In recent months Severin films has been releasing editions for the UK physical media market. We have had video nasty Nightmares In a Damaged, Bad Biology and now Butcher Baker Nightmare Maker all released on the 4K Format. I personally have been a fan of Severin films for a while now and normally import their releases. Which can be costly, therefore you can probably imagine how thrilling and cost effective it is having the label release in the UK. Great time, Great times.
I found this release refreshing as it is a fist time release of the film in high definition in the UK. There’s also a Blu-Ray only edition. The retail price is £19.99 for The 4K UHD/Blu-Ray combo. The set also comes with a thick well designed slipcover with newly commissioned artwork. I think this release is a good precedent to set the standard for boutique label 4K releases. If only studios and other labels took note and cooled on the price gouging and gave collectors more of this purchasable option. I understand that a Limited Edition Big box set for a movie is going to be £25 or more. However most boutique label’s asking price for a slipcover edition is regularly £22 or more. The quality and pricing of this release is a great practice from Severin Films and perfectly shows that not every 4K release has to be extortionate and excessive.
The transfer is good, it’s more than likely the best the film is ever going to look. It has nice clarity to it. The transfer isn’t perfect but I Find it difficult to find many issues with it as it’s more than adequate.
Release score: A solid 3.5 out of 5.
Buy it, support Severin films UK Releases just be aware it’s not packed with special features.