The beloved cult classic Basket Case is getting a 4K restoration treatment this April courtesy of ARROW Video, giving new life to Frank Henenlotter‘s (Brain Damage, Frankenhooker) directorial debut; a gruesomely entertaining slice of 1980s exploitation sleaze.
This riotous “midnight movie” experience follows young Duane Bradley and his formerly conjoined, horrifically deformed twin brother Belial. Seeking vengeance against the doctors who separated them as infants, the brothers arrive in the seedy underbelly of 1980s New York, taking up residence in a rundown hotel while they hunt down and gruesomely butcher their targets.
Filmed on location in New York during the height of the city’s gritty reputation, Basket Case oozes authenticity. Loaded with over-the-top gore, dark humor, and a truly unique creature in Belial, the film has rightfully claimed its place in cult movie history after becoming a midnight movie mainstay for over two years upon its initial release.
Now this shlocky horror gem gets a pristine 4K restoration and release just in time for its 40th anniversary, allowing newcomers and longtime fans to appreciate every blood-soaked detail in UHD clarity. With the grimy 42nd Street atmosphere perfectly preserved and Belial looking more grotesque than ever, Basket Case remains a prime example of DIY independent filmmaking and ’80s practical effects that delivers entertainment in spades.
Basket Case releases on Limited Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray and ARROW from 30th April and we’ll leave you with the new trailer to give you a taste of just how great this looks more than 40 years after it’s initial release.
