The good ole' days of the slasher genre were grinding to a halt by the late 80's. We had pretty much seen everything there was to see... or had we? Michele Soavi made his directorial debut with StageFright (AKA Aquarius and Bloody Bird) an unapologetic slasher film from start to finish, but it had the "Soavi touch" as I like to call it. StageFright was considered to be a financial failure overseas, domestically it was a hit, and the slashers were back.

StageFright is a simple story, simple yet utterly disturbing. While practicing a bizarre musical, involving rapes and murders committed by a character wearing a huge bird head a group of actors are locked in the theater with a real live maniac. Early on two of the participants sneak out to visit a doctor (at an insane asylum no less) and bring back more than a cure for a twisted ankle. StageFright gives us everything we'd expect from a balls to the wall slasher flick. There's death by pickaxe (and regular axe) stabbings, power drill, disembowlment (and dismemberment) and of course chainsaw.

StageFright is not exactly a paint by the numbers slasher film either. Soavi is a very "artsy" director and it shows. An Argento protégé Soavi retains his mentor's style (also in The Church and The Sect) until Dellamorte Dellamore well into the late 90's when his own style truly shines through. There isn't a whole lot of freshness in the story, but don't let that dissuade you. I've always loved this film, simply because it's different. Slasher fans can have their cake and eat it too.

Anchor Bay continues their fine tradition of bringing the greatest in cult cinema to the DVD format. This presentation of StagFright is outstanding. There is evidence of minor print damage here and there and only a hint of artifacting in darker scenes (as in Anchor Bay's The Church, mastering problems?). Colors are strong and stable and the 5.1 EX soundtrack is effective, yet subtle (wait till you hear that chainsaw coming from behind). I've always loved the score to StageFright (yes I own the CD) and it sounds outstanding in a new digital remix.

Extras are slim, just a trailer and the same Soavi Bio found on the new The Church DVD also from Anchor Bay. Extra kudos goes out to the menu designer; a bloody Playbill, brilliant!

Well, what can I say. Keep up the good work Anchor Bay. Fans of StageFright have reason to rejoice. This disc is easily worth twice what you are going to pay for it. Slasher fans in the mood for something familiar but with an artistic twist, come on in. Keep 'em coming Anchor Bay, these DVDs are becoming my lifeblood.