While horror is already a pretty trippy genre, some films take that idea to the extreme. One of these is Blue Sunshine, a psychedelic horror film released in the 1970s that combines a slasher with the drug-focused counterculture of the mid-twentieth century — and now, it’s getting a special 4K remaster courtesy of Synapse Films.
Originally released in 1977 before developing a cult following in the years to come, Blue Sunshine is directed by Jeff Lieberman, and stars Zalman King, Deborah Winters, and Mark Goddard as a group of people all connected by a mysterious drug. The film’s synopsis is as follows:
At a party, someone goes insane and murders three women. Falsely accused of the brutal killings, Jerry is on the run. More bizarre homicides continue with alarming frequency all over town. Trying to clear his name, Jerry discovers the shocking truth…people are losing their hair and turning into violent psychopaths and the connection may be some LSD all the murderers took a decade before.
The new edition of Lieberman’s cult film features a special 4K restoration of the original 35mm camera negatives, which have been remastered in Dolby Vision, along with lossless surround sound. The physical release also features a new introduction, two audio commentaries, and archival and video interviews from director Lieberman, as well as theatrical trailers and a gallery of stills from the film, alongside two interviews with Lieberman and special effects master Mick Garris, including one from the remaster’s premiere at Fantasia Film Festival, moderated by FANGORIA’s own Michael Gingold.
Blue Sunshine’s 4K release also includes two extra-special features. The first is an additional 4K remaster of Lieberman’s first-ever film, The Ringer, presented in both its original uncut version as well as the edited version that was eventually released. This is accompanied by two anti-drug “scare films” from the 1960s, presented by the American Genre Film Archive to show just how LSD was perceived by contemporary audiences when Blue Sunshine was originally released.
Blue Sunshine arrives on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on March 10.
