The Indicator label is A new company and are releasing some great popular cult titles one of which is the 1981 horror, Happy Birthday to Me.
Often cited as one of the better slasher films from the period it still has all the familiar trappings of young people in terror from a mad killer and in that respects all the downfalls.
Popular high school senior, Virginia Wainwright (Melissa Sue Anderson), survives a freak accident but suffers from memory loss and traumatic blackouts. As she attempts to resume a normal life, something terrible is happening – her friends are being ruthlessly murdered one by one. But will she be the next victim or is she the killer?
One thing the film does do is keep you guessing until the final reel. The killings are well staged and gory, but sadly not as gory as was originally filmed as it was cut heavily to get an R rating in the USA and that version is what has been released since. A search for the missing footage was done but sadly not found.
The acting is what you would expect from a film of this vintage, not as bad as in some and it was unusual to see classic actor Glenn Ford show up as a doctor. If you’re a fan you won’t need prompting to pick this up as it’s another great disc from Indicator.
The 1080p picture is very good, crisp and clear, blacks are solid and grain is intact. This really is a good transfer of an early 80’s film and it has never looked better than it does on this disc. Audio is the original English LPCM Mono and DTS HD Master Audio 5.1. The 5.1 track is an alternative score so you can experience the film with the controversial electronic music soundtrack, as used on the 2004 home video re-release.
Extras are slim but ok. You have an audio commentary by The Hysteria Continues team: Justin Kerswell (author of Teenage Wasteland: The Slasher Movie Uncut) Joseph Henson, Erik Threlfall and Nathan Johnson. Trailers and a Limited edition exclusive 24-page booklet with extracts from the original press kit, advertising and promotion guide, and selected film reviews.
An ok slasher, certainly of its time but if you’re a fan the disc is certainly worth your while.
FILM: 5 PICTURE: 8.5 AUDIO: 6 EXTRAS: 6
