Friday the 13th (1980) Deluxe Edition DVD Review
Fourth DVD Release in 10 Years Makes the Cut
Friday the 13th was always popular on home video in the 1980s and 1990s, being released on Betamax, VHS, Laserdisc and Videodisc. It was theatrically re-released overseas in 1986 and was novelized by Simon Hawke in 1987. In October 1999 it debuted on DVD and fans were disappointed that the movie was the Paramount theatrical cut (Warner Brothers distributed an uncensored cut overseas, which was later available on Japanese laserdisc in the 1980s, as well as a Region 2 PAL DVD) and that the only special feature was the theatrical trailer.
In October 2004 Friday the 13th: From Crystal Lake to Manhattan was released on DVD, which contained the first eight films released by Paramount with a bonus special features disc, which as a supplement included the extended death scenes from the original movie. Fans were more pleased with the special features this time but were still clamoring for the intact uncut version; despite Internet fan petitions Paramount was adamant about not releasing any product Unrated. In August 2007, it was re-released on DVD with Friday the 13th Part 2 as a double feature, but again with no special features or deleted footage.
For nearly five years fans would cool their heels on this but in February 2009, to coincide with the theatrical release (and the publicity) of the remake, Paramount would finally release the uncut original film on DVD in a deluxe edition with all-new special features to a legion of giddy fans, old and new. This is the intact overseas version with ten additional seconds of gore footage, newly remastered in high definition with a new 5.1 Surround mix. Some of the extended death scenes are only really noticeable to devout fans (and are still pretty wanting by today’s standards) but the movie has never looked or sounded better, and with the new special features this is worth the upgrade.
New Tales From Friday the 13th
There is a commentary moderated by Peter Bracke, author of Crystal Lake Memories, which also features comments from cast and crew. Friday the 13th Reunion has nearly seventeen minutes of footage from the Scare Fest Horror and Paranormal Convention, which was held in Lexington, Kentucky in September 2008. Cast members Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Ari Lehman, writer Victor Miller, composer Harry Manfredini, and special effects legend Tom Savini field questions from enthusiastic fans. Adrienne King screams for the delighted audience and discusses her terrifying experiences with a stalker, and Betsy Palmer discusses the movie’s impact on her career as well as why she declined to reprise her role in Freddy vs. Jason.
In Fresh Cuts: New Tales from Friday the 13th, there are more comments from cast members Ari Lehman, Robbi Morgan, and writer Victor Miller, who have some interesting stories about working on the set. In The Man Behind the Legacy: Sean Cunningham, director Cunningham invites fans into his home, where in this more personal setting he discusses the past, the future, and his comfort in working from home with his son Noel, who in 1993 was the first assistant editor on Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, and the producer of Jason X in 2001.
A short film called Lost Tales from Camp Blood Part 1 is included, a bizarre and out-of-place tidbit featuring two murders by an unseen killer, which has left many fans puzzled and annoyed. Saving grace here is the famous Harry Manfredini score, but that’s it. Last but not least, the theatrical trailer is included. On Blu-Ray only, the Friday the 13th Chronicles and Secrets Galore Behind the Gore are included, recycled from the bonus disc from Friday the 13th: From Crystal Lake to Manhattan.
Original 1980 Theatrical Poster
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Kevin Bacon Has an Extended Death Scene
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The 2009 Uncut Deluxe Edition DVD
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Setting Up Camp
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"I'm Going to Camp Crystal Lake..."
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