Squirm (Blu-ray Review)
- Review Date: Sep 12, 2024
- Format: Blu-ray Disc
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Director
Jeff LiebermanRelease Date(s)
1976 (August 27, 2024)Studio(s)
American International Pictures (Kino Cult #13)- Film/Program Grade: D
- Video Grade: B
- Audio Grade: C+
- Extras Grade: A-
Review
Among the many nature-strikes-back horror films of the 1970s released through American International Pictures, 1976’s Squirm was also Jeff Lieberman’s directorial debut, though he would go on to helm other cult favorites like Blue Sunshine, Just Before Dawn, Remote Control, and Satan’s Little Helper. Shot in and around Georgia and employing Rick Baker for the make-up effects, the film features Don Scardino as Mick, an average guy from New York City who’s visiting his Southern girlfriend Geri (Patricia Pearcy) and her family when an outbreak of electrified and deadly worms begin to pile up and devour the locals in succession.
Despite Squirm being a beloved cult film, I’ve personally never been a fan of it, mostly because it’s filled with characters that aren’t worth rooting for, and in some cases come off as downright annoying. Some might argue that’s par for the course in these types of low budget horror films, but I disagree. In this case, I need to be on the side of Mick and Geri when everything hits the fan, and I find myself rooting for the worms instead. Rick Baker’s “wormface” make-up is genuinely effective, as are the shots of the giant piles of worms, but knowing that the worms’ screams are actually taken from the sounds of pigs being slaughtered turns my stomach. However, I give Squirm credit for some truly effective and horrific moments, even if the other elements are less than satisfactory. The film was infamously lampooned on Mystery Science Theater 3000, and as much as I enjoy that show, it’s one of my least favorite episodes.
Squirm was shot by director of photography Joseph Mangine on 35 mm film with Arriflex 35BL cameras and spherical lenses, finished photochemically, and presented in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Kino Cult brings the film to Blu-ray for a second time in the US using the same HD master included on Scream Factory’s 2014 Collector’s Edition Blu-ray, but giving the presentation more disc space to breathe at a much higher bitrate. It’s still a decent-looking master, though shows its age with a mild softness, lacking the detail of a fresh scan from the original camera negative. The bitrate sits mostly between 35 and 40Mbps, often going above that, and detail and color are fairly tame. Contrast is good with decent shadow detail, if a bit flat at times, and the image is mostly clean aside from mild speckling and scratches. The image is also stable throughout.
Audio is included in English 2.0 mono DTS-HD Master Audio with optional subtitles in English SDH. It’s a very narrow and muffled track, though dialogue is discernible, even if score and sound effects are stifled. A mild hiss is present throughout and the volume of the track is a little low.
Squirm on Blu-ray from Kino Cult sits in a blue Amaray case with reversible artwork, featuring the US theatrical poster artwork on the front and the Belgian theatrical poster artwork with the English language title on the reverse. Everything is housed in a slipcover featuring the same US artwork. The following extras are included:
- NEW Audio Commentary with Lee Gambin and John Harrison
- Audio Commentary with Jeff Lieberman
- Digging In: The Making of Squirm (HD – 33:12)
- Eureka! with Jeff Lieberman (HD – 7:05)
- Radio Spot (HD – 1:02)
- TV Spot (HD – :56)
- Trailer (SD – 1:56)
- Frogs Trailer (SD – 2:12)
- Empire of the Ants Trailer (HD – 2:19)
- The Food of the Gods Trailer (SD – 1:01)
- Kingdom of the Spiders Trailer (SD – 1:53)
- Zoltan… Hound of Dracula (Dracula’s Dog) Trailer (SD – 3:21)
This disc has been dedicated to the late Lee Gambin, who along with fellow critic and author John Harrison, provide a new audio commentary for the film. Carried over is the 2003 DVD commentary with director Jeff Lieberman, as well as other extras from Scream Factory’s previous Blu-ray release. Digging In features interviews with Lieberman and actor Don Scardino, both of whom share their memories of the production, while Eureka! is a location tour with Lieberman, as well as a demonstration of how some of the worm effects were achieved. Next is a radio spot, a TV spot, the film’s trailer, and trailers for other Kino Lorber and Kino Cult releases.
The 2014 Scream Factory Collector’s Edition Blu-ray also featured a photo gallery, while the 2013 Arrow Video Region B Blu-ray included a Q&A with Jeff Lieberman and Don Scardino; The Esoteric Auteur, an interview with film critic Kim Newman; and a booklet containing an essay by Lee Gambin and an interview with Jeff Lieberman by Calum Waddell. None of this material has been carried over.
Reiterating that Squirm isn’t a personal favorite of mine is pointless. I’m more of a fan of some of the other AIP eco-horror classics like Frogs and Empire of the Ants, among others, but long-time fans of Squirm should be happy with this Blu-ray re-release, featuring a decent presentation and a nice extras selection, including one of Lee Gambin’s final audio commentaries.
- Tim Salmons
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