Sleepaway Camp
Sleepaway Camp is a cult classic in every sense of the word, complete with one of the most shocking endings that no one could possibly have predicted.
After a tragic boating accident kills her father and brother, Angela (Felissa Rose) goes to live with her Aunt Martha (Desiree Gould), a particularly odd person with definite issues. She sends Angela and her cousin Ricky (Jonathan Tiersten) to camp Arawak for the summer.
Angela is withdrawn from everyone and all the activities that take place. Because of such, she is the target of a lot of teasing and cruelty. Her tormentors end up being killed one by one. Panic spreads across the camp, the deaths first being attributed to ‘accidents’. But as more people end up dead, the search for the killer commences.
Sleepaway Camp tackles a lot of uncomfortable themes for today’s standards, most likely considered crossing the line at the time. Pedophilia, homosexuality, cross gender, are all seen in this film. Although the message isn’t ground breaking, besides “if you’re a pedophile bad things will happen to you and no one will care”, the film isn’t afraid to show us things we aren’t comfortable with. It is these themes that are the most shocking actually, as most of the violence is show off-screen and is implied. When we do see the final result, it is definitely a grotesque image. The make-up and effects is the strongest point, really well done for the time and budget.
The thing that sets Sleepaway Camp apart from most slasher films (besides the ending, of course) is the fact that each person who dies is made to deserve it.
Okay, maybe being murdered is a bit harsh, but you don’t feel much sympathy when each one meets their untimely, and uniquely gruesome end. I should say all except one instance which really changes the tone of the film, in which small children are murdered. In the special features, the director acknowledges this as his biggest mistake and regret when looking back, which in my eyes allows me to forgive this terrible, but fictional act.
Sleepaway Camp is just a lot of fun to watch, as are most all films in this genre around this time period. The 80’s really made a statement in Horror. I mean, could you get away with having a water balloon fight on a roof in a movie today? You’d be laughed out of the box office.
Video
The blu-ray is presented in 1080p 1.78:1. This is a new 2k transfer scanned from the original negative. There are occasional scratches and blemishes, but overall the quality is the best this film has ever seen. Presented as one of the special features is a look at the process of how this was done and is pretty interesting.
Audio
The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. As an audiophile, I normally don’t like to see the word Mono, but this is faithful to the original track, and it sounds pretty good. I suppose I don’t need child deaths presented to me in 7.1 all the time.
Special Features
At the Waterfront After the Social: The Legacy of Sleepaway Camp
I’m always excited to find out when Shout Factor releases a film, as it’s guaranteed to be packed with new extras. Sleepaway Camp is no different. This has some really fascinating insights and stories from the cast and crew of the film. Almost as long as the movie is, it’s definitely worth watching if you’re a fan.
New Commentary With Stars Felissa Rose and Jonathan Tiersten
Original Commentary With Director/Writer Robert Hiltzik, Felissa Rose and Webmaster Jeff Hayes
Judy – A Short Film by Jeff Hayes
Imagine your eight year old cousin was given a video camera for his birthday. When the entire family is gathered for Christmas, he wants to show everyone what he’s come up with. You and everyone else is forced to sit there, subjected to the one of the most terrible things that has ever been recorded in time. You smile and nod, congratulating him on a job well done, how proud you are of him, how great it is! Fortunately for us, the creator of this monstrosity is not eight, so screw all that, this blows! There is zero of every element that goes together to make a coherent story. Nothing is sacred, not even the 180º rule. When I saw the 2010 copyright, I thought there was a mistake. Everything about this screamed early 90’s. My phone takes better quality video than this thing has. Apparently, anyone can shoot their own piece of crap as long as you rip off elements of a cult classic and get it included on a blu-ray release.
Princess – A Music Video by Jonathan Tiersten
Use this as a guide on how not to make a music video.
Camp Arawak Scrapbook
Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots
Rare Images From Make-Up Effects Artist Ed French
A Demonstration of the 2K Film Scan Process
Conclusion
If you are a horror fan, you don’t need me to tell you how vital it is you own this. There is just something about the genre during this time that unfortunately we will never see again. Thanks to Shout Factory many of these are getting the treatment they deserve.
