BLUE SUNSHINE (1977)
Label: Synapse Films
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: R
Duration: 94 Minutes 49 Seconds
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo and 5.1 Surround with Optional English Subtitles
Video: Dolby Visions HDR10 2160p Ultra High Definition Widescreen (1.85:1), 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)
Director: Jeff Lieberman
Cast: Zalman King, Deborah Winters, Mark Goddard, Robert Walden, Charles Siebert
As the Love Generation of the 60s faded and the Me Generation of the 70s took over, the remnants of the 60s counterculture proved fruitful ground for the horror greats of the 70s, from Tobe Hooper’s THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE to Philip Kauffman’s INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. But none were more precise as writer/director Jeff Lieberman’s BLUE SUNSHINE, a still-potent mix of conspiracy thriller, psychological horror film and social satire that takes viewers on a trip they’ll keep flashing back to, especially on Synapse Films’ new Limited Edition 4K boxed set.
It starts off as a great party—just eight people in a secluded lodge. One of the guests suddenly goes on a shockingly violent, murderous rampage. There is something wrong with his hair, and pure evil in his eyes. What he does to three of the girls there is too hideous to describe. Falsely accused of the brutal killings, Jerry Zipkin (RED SHOE DIARIES’ Zalman King) goes on the run. More bizarre murders occur, and while trying to clear his name, Jerry discovers the shocking truth: The people losing their hair and turning into violent psychopaths may be connected to a drug each killer took a decade before. A drug known as “Blue Sunshine.”
Synapse Films is proud to present Jeff Lieberman’s 1977 cult-classic horror film BLUE SUNSHINE in an all-new 4K restoration presented in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) and loaded with hours of supplemental material. This three-disc set contains a 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray, a Blu-ray (1080p) and a CD soundtrack album, and is strictly limited to 4,000 copies.
Synapse’s exclusive limited edition features hard chipboard slipcase packaging with stunning new artwork by artist Wes Benscoter. Inside is a dual-wall o-card wrapped around a clear three disc Criterion-style case.
Audio/Video: REVIEW COMING SOON!
The 3-disc 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/CD Soundtrack release arrives housed in a sideloading Rigid Slipbox with gorgeous artwork by Wes Benscoter, the spine has large Blue Sunshine logo that has some tasty shelf appeal. Inside the clear, 3-hubbed full-height Scanavo keepcase itself is housed inside of a thick cardstock Slipcover, itself featuring more artwork by Benscotter. The 2-sided non-reversible Wrap itself features original movie poster artwork, which was previously used by Synapse for their 2003 DVD edition. The 3-discs inside all featuring their own unique artwork which looks culled from other movie poster designs.
Tucked away inside there's a Limited Edition Fold-Out Poster featuring another movie poster artwork, one of my favorites, too. Additionally we get A 12-Page Illustrated Booklet with liner notes booklet by Jeff Lieberman, featuring a chapter on the making of Blue Sunshine from his book Day of the Living Me: Adventures of a Subversive Cult Filmmaker from the Golden Age, plus the 2024 Synapse Films Catalog. It's quite a deluxe packaging presentation, certainly on par with Synapse's deluxe Dario Argento Editions, and the recently collab with Red Shirt Pictures for the heavy metal horror Trick Or Treat.
WRAP ARTWORK
Special Feature:
- 4K restoration of the original 35mm camera negative mastered in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio original theatrical mono and a 5.1 surround sound mix supervised by director Jeff Lieberman
- Two audio commentaries featuring director Jeff Lieberman
- New introduction to the film by director Jeff Lieberman (1:30)
- Archival 2003 interview with director Jeff Lieberman (40:44)
- “Lieberman on Lieberman” Video Interview (30:44)
- Channel Z “Fantasy Film Festival” interview with Mick Garris and Jeff Lieberman (14:04)
- Fantasia Film Festival 4K Premiere Q&A with moderator Michael Gingold and director Jeff Lieberman (36:29)
- Anti-drug “scare films”: LSD-25 (1967) (26:41) and LSD: Insight or Insanity? (1968) (18:03), courtesy of the American Genre Film Archive
- Jeff Lieberman’s first film The Ringer, included here in two versions: the original uncut version (from a projection print source) (19:41) and the final release version (remastered in 4K by Synapse Films from the original camera negative) (18:33) with optional audio commentary on the uncut version by Jeff Lieberman and moderator Howard S. Berger
- Theatrical Trailers (5:02)
- Still Gallery (5:37)
- 12-Page Illustrated Booklet with liner notes booklet by Jeff Lieberman, featuring a chapter on the making of Blue Sunshine from his book Day of the Living Me: Adventures of a Subversive Cult Filmmaker from the Golden Age
- Limited-edition Fold-Out Poster
- CD Soundtrack (13Tracks)
- Slipcover and O-Card with front and back artwork by Wes Benscoter
Screenshots Comparison:
Top: Filmcentrix Blu-ray (2016)
Bottom: Synapse Blu-ray (2025)
More Screenshots from the Synapse Films Blu-ray:
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