Deadly Games (Special Edition): Blu-Ray Review

Available for the first time since it was released on VHS in the early 80’s, is writer/director Scott Mansfield’s horror film, Deadly Games. Arrow Video has given the film the special edition treatment with a brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative. Although I had heard of Deadly Games before, this was a first time viewing for me.

Set in a small California town, Deadly Games opens with a woman being terrorized and killed by a masked home intruder. After learning about her sister’s death, Keegan (Jo Ann Harris) comes back to her hometown the following day. Investigating the death is detective Roger Lane (Sam Groom), who seems to have no problem flirting with Keegan while investigating the death of her sister moments after meeting her. When others start turning up dead, it becomes evident to the small group of friends that there is a killer on the loose. One suspect is Billy Owens (Steve Railsback), a war veteran who has been forever changed by combat. He is quiet and spends his time running an old theater showing horror films. However, there is something quite off with detective Lane as well.

Deadly Games feels more like an erotic thriller than a straight-up slasher film at times and there is definitely some inspiration here from Italian horror. Mansfield has also collected an interesting supporting cast that includes Colleen Camp, June Lockhart and the most interesting of the lot, Dick Butkus. The football legend has had a long career in film and television, but he stands out in Deadly Games.

This is a weird film with a few twists and genuinely creepy moments. However, the final shot in Deadly Games is absolutely, bonkers. Not quite sure what Mansfield was trying to pull on the viewers with that final moment, but it just doesn’t quite work, at least not for me. The new restoration is really impressive. I may have never seen the VHS release but I am sure Arrow’s presentation will please those who are fans. While it’s not a flawless transfer, it is quite strong. While I didn’t love Deadly Games, I can definitely, recommend this disk for those who do.

Bonus Materials:

• Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative
• Original uncompressed mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary with The Hysteria Continues
• Sooty’s a Sh*t – a brand new interview with actor Jere Rae-Mansfield
• Practical Magic – a brand new interview with special effects and stunt co-ordinator John Eggett
• Extensive image gallery featuring never-before-seen production photos and promotional material
• Original Trailer
• Original screenplay under the title Who Fell Asleep [BD-ROM content]
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Ralf Krause
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film historian/author Amanda Reyes

By: Marc Ferman