Back From the Dead (Blu-ray)(1957)

This new Blu-ray from Kino and Paramount appears to be the official home video debut for Back From The Dead (1957), and it was worth the wait. Blu-ray video and audio quality: Kino touts a “Brand New HD Master by Paramount Pictures - From a 4K Scan.” It looks amazing - sharp, lots of fine detail, and contrast is strong. While speckling is common, it is never distracting. The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0ch and sounds great. There are optional English subtitles. Blu-ray special features: Two new commentary tracks, one with Tom Weaver, Gary D. Rhodes and Larry Blamire, and a second commentary track with David Del Valle and Dana M. Reemes. Tom, Gary, and Larry each take turns speaking with Tom taking the lead, while the track with David and Dana is more conversational as they share their comments together. Despite some contradictory information, both tracks are fun, insightful, and highly entertaining. This was a total blind-buy for me as I’ve never seen Back From The Dead before, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. A wonderful video and audio presentation, along with the two commentary tracks, combine to elevate this release into five-star territory. Now, if only other titles from the Regal Films library could also get a Blu-ray release, like the one also from 1957 that features a certain marauding mechanical menace…