Phil's Halloween Horror Watch: THE UNSEEN (1980) from Scorpion Releasing - October 8, 2018

THE UNSEEN Blu-Ray

THE UNSEEN
Starring Barbara Bach, Karen Lamm, Lois Young, Sydney Lassick,  Stephen Furst, Douglas Barr, Lelia Goldoni
Written by Danny Steinmann (as Peter Foleg)
(Based on a story by Danny Steinmann (as Peter Foleg), Thomas R. Burman (as Tom Burman), and Stan Winston
Cinematography by Roberto A. Quezada
Edited by Jonathon Braun
Produced by Don Behrns, Howard Goldfarb, Anthony B. Unger
Directed by Danny Steinmann (as Peter Foleg)
Originally released by World Northal
Released by Scorpion Releasing

Welcome to Day Eight of my Halloween Horror Watch! Once again, I traveled back to the 1980's for today's fright flick. And it's a nasty one folks! I mean, it's not your usual fun-filled, goofy, tongue-in-cheek 80's horror movie. It's quite the opposite. It's got this 70's grindhouse element and feel to it. Now, it's been a while since I've watched this movie, and when it was re-released on Blu-Ray, I had to pick up a copy for my collection. So let's get settled in as I review THE UNSEEN from Scorpion Releasing.

The film's official synopsis: A TV reporter and two friends head to Solvang, California to cover a Danish festival. When a mix-up at the hotel leaves them stranded without rooms, the girls accept the invitation of a friendly museum owner to board at his farmhouse. But what the women don't know is that something is living in the basement of that farmhouse. Something unspeakable. And their stay soon becomes a horrific nightmare when they encounter the "unseen."

The was directed by Danny Steinmann, better known to genre fans as Peter Foleg. He would go on to direct other films like SAVAGE STREETS and the controversial FRIDAY THE 13th PART V: A NEW BEGINNING. He also wrote the screenplay for the film, which was based on a story he wrote with Thomas R. Burman and Stan Winston, Yes, the Stan Winston! The man who would go on to become one of the greatest special effects artists of all time! He was also one of the founders of visual effects companies Digital Domain, Stan Winston Digital and Stan Winston studios. You can see his genius at work in the films THE TERMINATOR, PREDATOR, ALIENS, JURASSIC PARK, and his 1989 directorial debut PUMPKINHEAD.

Original Theatrical Poster (19

The film stars the beautiful and talented Barbara Bach as Jennifer Fast. Her resume includes THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, SCREAMERS, UP THE ACADEMY and CAVEMAN. She is amazing in the film and carries it all to its crazy and pulse pounding conclusion. Our antagonist Ernest Keller is played by character actor Sydney Lassick, who is just creepy, disturbing and sleazy! Karen Lam, who plays Karen Fast, is killed in a most horrifyingly way ever captured on celluloid. Her death scene is just fucking scary ass shit! And it's because of her acting ability that that scene transcends it to a higher level! And I cannot forget Lelia Goldoni as the timid but brave wife Virginia Keller. Goldoni has some very impressive titles attached to her name. She was in John Cassavetes' 1958 arthouse film SHADOWS, Martin Scorsese's 1974 ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, John Schlesinger' 1975 THE DAY OF THE LOCUST, Philip Kaufman's 1978 INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, and 2012's THE DEVIL INSIDE. Her next film project (the ironically titled) THE NEXT CASSAVETES is currently in post-production.

World Northal released the film to theaters in the states in September of 1981. It would later be released on VHS, were horror fans discovered it. In 2001, it was released on DVD by Prism, then by Digital Entertainment the following year. It was later released as a two-disk DVD by Code Red in 2008, then finally arriving on Blu-Ray by Scorpion Releasing in a brand new 2K scan of the original negative.

The disc comes loaded with Special Features, including "Watch in Katarina's Nightmare Theatre" mode (hosted by actress Katarina Waters, but wrestling fans will know her from Impact Wrestling and on Women of Wrestling as The Temptress), New interview with editor Jon Braun, Interview with producer Tony Unger, Audio commentary with Tony Unger and actor Stephen Furst, Interviews with Stephen Furst, Doug Barr, Craig Reardon and Tom Burman, Makeup tests, sketches and behind the scenes still gallery from makeup effects artist Craig Reardon, Theatrical Trailer, Reversible Cover and comes in a Limited Edition Slipcover while supplies last.

THE UNSEEN is a mean spirited, down and dirty horror movie that you'll want to take a shower after watching! It's an atrocious abomination that will disgust you until you puke your guts out! So watch with Grandma and freak her the hell out!! There's nothing better than watching a horror movie than with a loved one!! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

THE UNSEEN is currently available on Blu-Ray with a Limited Edition Slipcover and DVD from Scorpion Releasing. To purchase a copy, visit their website at roninflix.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the horror!