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Invasion of the Blood Farmers (1971) - Blu-ray

Ol’ Jimmie needs a drink at the Huddle II.  That’s how Invasion of the Blood Farmers begins.  The film, a true trashterpiece of schlock SINema is wildly absurd, sick-minded, and loopy as hell.  It is also a ripe find thanks to Severin’s blu-ray release of this grindhouse classic.  Newly scanned from the original negative and full of new bonus features, the film has new life on blu-ray.

"this kooky film is all sorts of C-grade entertainment"


As is explained to us in this local dive, people in this town are going missing.  One disgruntled husband could give two shits about where his wife is.  The owner of the bar is lamenting the loss of Mr. Carrey.  He was the pub’s best client.  But then, stumbling down the highway, the missing patron is spotted.  Tongue out and eyes rolling back in his head, the man is covered in welts, bruises, and lots of blood.  He practically trips into the bar and the patrons all react the same way.  Get the fuck out of here! 

Something weird is going on in upstate New York.  And they say nothing ever happens in Jefferson Valley!  But, no, alas people are going missing.  And it is all at the hands of an ancient Druid cult hellbent on keeping their queen alive.  These blood farmers are unlike anything you have ever seen before.  They speak like kings and queens in the Shakespearean age, yet the dress like simple-minded farmers.  Sometimes, when the stars align, they put on their pointy hoods.  The blacker, the better, too. {googleads}

With blood stains down by the brook and in the Huddle II, the whole town is on edge.  And then the pets go missing, too.  Well, not quite missing, but they do get hung from porches as warnings to not meddle with the spooky clansman-like activities of the Blood Farmers.  No one is safe anymore.  And this includes the local police force. 

Written and directed by Ed Adlum, this kooky film is all sorts of C-grade entertainment.  It’s wildly unfocused and, at times, an actual riot with its coked-out dialogue and dramatic situations.  For example, the newly married couple in the hotel room that can’t seem to find any reason to get it on fast enough – first the thought of watching late-night television, then a shower, then a half-joking tease of abduction (which does, in fact, happen), showcases some of the more hilarious moments that this horror film teases us with. 

And it is all for the queen!Invasion of the Blood Farmers (1971) - Blu-ray

Starring Norman Kelley, Tanna Hunter, and Bruce Detrick, Invasion of the Blood Farmers is a sick, sick testament to the power and the fury of grindhouse flicks.  Oh, yeah, everything is goofy as hell but that doesn’t stop this film from its dedication to all things rock and schlock.  From the carrying of corpses in the rain to the rituals performed in the child of dawn’s honor, these servants of schlock are a dedicated lot. 

And it is all here in the effort to resurrect the Queen of the Sangroid!

4 beers

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Invasion of the Blood Farmers (1971) - Blu-ray

MPAA Rating: PG.
Runtime:
84 mins
Director
: Ed Adlum
Writer:
Ed Adlum, Ed Kelleher
Cast:
Norman Kelley, Tanna Hunter, Bruce Detrick
Genre
: Horror
Tagline:
They planted the living and harvested the dead.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Old Jim Carrey dropped dead Sunday."
Theatrical Distributor:
N.M.D. Film Distributing Company
Official Site:
Release Date:
August 23, 1972
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
February 26, 2019
Synopsis: In 1972, a team of New York City exploitation outlaws that included Ed Adlum (SHRIEK OF THE MUTILATED), Ed Kelleher (PRIME EVIL) and Michael & Roberta Findlay (THE TOUCH OF HER FLESH, SNUFF) – along with first-time assistant cameraman and future award-winning cinematographer Frederick Elmes (ERASERHEAD, BLUE VELVET) – descended on bucolic Westchester County with 8½ bottles of stage blood to make a movie about a Druid cult seeking to resurrect their dead queen. The budget was $24,000. The cast was paid in beer. And the result remains one of the greatest achievements in schlock/shock cinema history. Severin Films is proud to present this “accidental masterpiece” (Horror News) like you’ve never seen it before, now scanned from the original negative for the first time ever and spurting with all-new Special Features.

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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]

Invasion of the Blood Farmers (1971) - Blu-ray

Blu-ray

Blu-ray Details:

Home Video Distributor: Severin Films
Available on Blu-ray
- February 26, 2019
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles
: English SDH
Audio:
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Severin Films presents Invasion of the Blood Farmers on blu-ray thanks to a brand-new scan of the original negative.  This brand-new transfer is detailed and looks better than ever. Some shots, due to the era of the day, are fuzzier than others but the image is reasonably well defined with crisp contrasts and solid textures. Colors are solid, with reds being a standout. Blacks are, too. The disc comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • While highly recommended, it is sad that there are no commentaries for the film.

Special Features:

The release features a solid audio commentary with Director Ed Adlum and Actress Ortrum Tippel, Moderated by Kier-La Janisse, Author of House of Psychotic Women.

Blu-ray Specifications:

Severin Films spoils us again.  Included with this release are looks at Ed Adlum’s greatest misses, interviews with Jack Neubeck and Frederick Elmes, plus the film’s original trailer.

  • Nothing You'd Show Your Mom: Eddie Adlum's Journey through Exploitation, Coin-Op & Rock n' Roll
  • Harvesting the Dead: Interview with Actor Jack Neubeck
  • Painful Memories: An Interview with Cinematographer Frederick Elmes
  • Trailer

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Invasion of the Blood Farmers (1971) - Blu-ray

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