Studying ‘70s Horror cinema, the intent was almost to first create an atmosphere above anything else. This was exemplified in different ways by more well-known features such as 1973’s The Exorcist and 1974’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but equally as effective in some lesser-known titles such as 1977’s The Sentinel or 1976’s Burnt Offerings.
Burnt Offerings, a film perhaps overlooked in the past near fifty years since initially hitting theaters, is truly one of those hidden gems that time should not have forgotten. Originally released for a limited run in August of 1976, it expanded to wider release by September of that year, and actually ranked at number one at the United States box office on its opening weekend. A footnote worth recalling, the suspensive supernatural film is brought to life thanks to direction from Dan Curtis (known for his creation of Dark Shadows series, as well as 1975’s Trilogy of Terror), but history has proven the cast involved to be nothing less than iconic.
Running through that billing, you had leads by Karen Black (starring in everything from 1969’s Easy Rider to 2003’s House of 1000 Corpses) and Oliver Reed (recognized appearances in a list of Hammer Horror films during in the early 1960s), but support from Burgess Meredith (famous a slew of character portrayals, including Mickey in the Rocky series), American Theatre Hall of Fame Actress Eileen Heckart, but also legendary silver screen Actress Bette Davis. Factors that should never be taken for granted, the combination of their years of experience and unique talents all come together in Burnt Offerings to create a distinctive mood that leaves you feeling unsettled.
The cast and filmmakers aside, the story of Burnt Offerings certainly builds steadily as it goes. However, it never grows dull in the process; thanks to the eerie impending doom around each corner. Simplifying it for those who have never seen the film, or merely have forgotten it, Burnt Offerings follows a married couple Marian (Black) and Ben Rolf (Reed) and their son Lee (Lee Montgomery: Ben 1972, Baker’s Hawk 1976) who are enticed to rent out a grand old mansion for a summer at a minuscule rate. All fine and good, little do they know is that the walls of this house are painted with evil… and soon their lives will all be endangered.
Straightforward, Burnt Offerings does not stand out just for being a supernatural ‘evil house’ story, but because of all components outlined, creating something that sticks with you. These factors in mind, unfortunately the 2003 MGM Home Entertainment release of Burnt Offerings featured poor image quality and left a lot to be desired for any potential of new discovery. Looking to wrong the right, in 2015 International Film Company Kino Lober offered the film as a Blu-Ray; and let us say the imagery and sound quality was significantly cleaner than ever before. Exciting for those looking to get their hands on a copy of the film, the unfortunate part is that it has been out of print for some years now. A bit of a bummer if you are late to the party, have no fear, because on February 6, 2024 Kino Lorber opted to reissue the Blu-ray once more.
Essentially the same as the 2015 edition, the only notable addition is cardboard slipcover which could be very enticing to some collectors. And if you are interested to know what this 2024 Blu-ray offers, you get Burnt Offerings in very clear, bright imagery, plus audio commentaries from Curtis, Black, as well a Co-screenwriter William F. Nolan, as well as other worth-watching interviews.
Overall, while there may not be too many bells and whistles in regards to the physical attributes of this 2024 or the 2015 Blu-Ray release, there is no denying that they both do Burnt Offerings better just than any other before. Capturing the film in a way that shows its true brilliance, Cryptic Rock gives Kino Lorber’s 2024 Blu-ray release of Burnt Offerings 4 out of 5 stars.
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