DVD REVIEW: THE BEAST IN SPACE:
DVD REVIEW: UNRATED EDITION
DVD REVIEW: SEVERIN FILMS [ 2008 ] 92'
DVD REVIEW: AVG. BITRATE: 4.59 Mb/sec
WTFFILM RATING:
The XXX VERSION of the film has been reviewed by WTFFILM as well - that review can be accessed by clicking anywhere on this inordinantly long expository sentance.

You can help support WTFFILM by purchasing this and other titles from HFLIX.com, WTFFILM's first stop when it comes to imported DVDs.

Severin Films has certainly dug towards the proverbial bottom of the cinematic barrel in order to bring this rather unknown little spaghetti sci-fi adventure to light. While four of Alfonso Brescia's (under the pseudonym Al Bradley) space epics are relatively readily available from a variety of public domain sources, this 1980 entry has, for whatever reason, stumbled off into obscurity since it's original release.

After watching the film, one has to wonder why! A quick glance at the opening ten minutes or so are enough to convince that this is yet another Brescia helmed space picture, as the costumes, sets, and special effects footage are all identical to those used in his previous efforts. What's different in this case is the story's propensity for sexual diversion.

The entire plot centers around Antalium, an ill-described element that, one gathers, would be of very much use to just about every technologically advanced civilization in the Universe. Space commander Larry (I shit you not) and his crew of hot babes and a token bearded dude travel off to a far-away and unexplored planet ruled by an 800 year old man and a computer named Zocor. What happens from here to the end of the film is hard to describe - lots of people run around in green zip-up suits while Sirpa Lane is raped by the 800 year old beast-man, leading to a light-saber battle with blonde robot guys and the eventual explosion of the planet.

As with all of Brescia's space films, this one is hard to find good information on. What Severin Films has presented in this release is the original director's cut of the film from 1980, transferred from recently discovered original negatives. Several years after the original release, a new version of the film - reportedly made without the assistance of director Brescia - including extra hardcore shots was played in theaters under an alternate title. That version of the film is coming out on DVD, also from Severin Films, on the same release date of April 29, 2008.

One has to admire the zeal with which Severin has approached THE BEAST IN SPACE, particularly given its status as an unknown, even among most cult enthusiasts. What they present for our viewing pleasure with this release is certainly a far cry from high art - those expecting such should definitely look elsewhere.

But if you, like WTFFILM, are expecting an awful spaghetti space romp with judicious portionings of sexual mayhem then THE BEAST IN SPACE certainly doesn't disappoint.

THE FEATURE PRESENTATION:

Severin Films presents THE BEAST IN SPACE in a pretty spiffy (comparatively) 1.83:1 progressive scan and anamorphically enhanced transfer. Alfonso Brescia's space epics have fared remarkably poorly on home video in the United States, with all of them that WTFFILM has seen being pan-and-scanned transfers of the lowest possible quality. Such is the fate of public domain features in the US, I suppose. The print here is a revelation, by comparison, and shows that the special effects footage utilized here (and for all of Brescia's five space pictures) is actually pretty decent and certainly comparable to much of what was going on elsewhere at the time (STAR WARS not withstanding).

Colors are very well reproduced (see the snapshot of the green and red lit sex scene below) throughout the feature and contrast levels seem quite right to these eyes. There's quite a lot of detail, though the image is quite soft and grainy throughout. These issues are, no doubt, more the fault of the source materials (this wasn't filmed on the highest quality of stock to begin with) than of Severin's transfer. Damage is evident, particularly during special effects sequences, but is not overly abundant and not unexpected for a film of this age. WTFFILM will go out on a limb in saying that he doubts this film could ever look much better than this on digital, even with the HD revolution underway.

Audio, as with other Severin releases of obscure titles, is presented in dolby digital monophonic Italian. The audio track here is quite crisp and clean, showing off all the wonders of low budget Italian audio mixing at the time. Augmenting the audio are well translated optional English subtitles presented in a highly readable font. This is an excellent feature presentation and WTFFILM is very happy to see that Severin's latest titles have all been flagged for progressive scan playback.

THE EXTRAS:

Perhaps I'm being a bit too harsh here, but the extras seem to be a little thin this go around. First up is the theatrical trailer for the film, presented in Italian with optional English subtitles. The trailer transfer is both progressive and anamorphically enhanced and the trailer itself is in good condition, if not quite up to par with the feature.

The only other extra on the disc is a featurette, running just over 16 minutes, about the film. This centers around a brief interview with painter and actor Venantino Venantini, who will probably be most recognizable as the guy who drills poor Giovanni Lombardo Radice through the head in Lucio Fulci's PAURA NELLA CITTA DEI MORTI VIVENTI. While some interesting information is espoused, at times, the feature seems fairly loosely constructed and moves a bit too slowly for my taste. Then again, that anyone at all could be found to talk about the film and others directed by Alfonso Brescia is fairly amazing.

Reasonable if not spectacular extras, but still more than I honestly expected to find.

THE OVERALL PRESENTATION:

As with all the other Severin Films releases, THE BEAST IN SPACE comes housed in a standard Amaray style display case. The insert artwork is as absurd as the film itself and features quite prominantly the original Italian poster art - which has little do with the content of the film itself. The shrink wrap comes complete with an amusing yellow sticker stating "Adults Only Sci-Fi Action!" that covers the bare bottom of the woman in the artwork. Menus are a bit more lively this go around and feature, as a backdrop, some sort of swirly nebula thing. Cool stuff and no complaints.

THE VERDICT:

Seeing a film from such a low rung on the ladder of motion picture arts presented as well as Severin Films have presented THE BEAST IN SPACE warms WTFFILM's heart. The feature itself is absolutely ludicrous in every possible way, though that's certainly the point in watching it these days. Severin has proved itself worthy, once again, as a successor to the bygone hey-day of cult releases from the now Starz-owned Anchor Bay and the waning Blue Underground. With a full roster of rare exploitation titles slated for release in the near future (including Joe D'Amato's other other Caribbean cannibal porno flick), WTFFILM suggests keeping an eye on the company as they're up to just the sort of no good that we heartily support.

Highly recommended for fans but, again, a rental should be in order for those who aren't sure of what they're getting themselves into.