1980 classic Maniac gets 4K restoration, limited edition Blu-ray release

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Next month, director William Lustig's disturbing and disgusting 1980 grindhouse classic MANIAC (which features gore provided by special effects legend Tom Savini) will be receiving a limited edition Blu-ray release through Lustig's company Blue Underground, and for this release the film has been given a new 4K restoration from its recently discovered 16mm original camera negative.

MANIAC has the following synopsis:

Frank Zito (a career performance by writer/executive producer Joe Spinell of ROCKY and THE GODFATHER fame) is a deeply disturbed man, haunted by the traumas of unspeakable childhood abuse. And when these horrific memories begin to scream inside his mind, Frank prowls the seedy streets of New York City to stalk and slaughter innocent young women. Now Frank has begun a relationship with a beautiful photographer (Caroline Munro of THE SPY WHO LOVED ME), yet his vile compulsions remain. These are the atrocities of a human monster. This is the story of a MANIAC.

This Blu-ray release is limited to 10,000 copies and includes two Blu-ray discs, a soundtrack CD, a collectible booklet, tons of extras, and a 3D lenticular slipcover.

Details on the special features: 

Disc 1 (Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras:

– Audio Commentary #1 with Producer/Director William Lustig and Producer Andrew W. Garroni

– Audio Commentary #2 with Producer/Director William Lustig, Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Savini, Editor Lorenzo Marinelli, and Joe Spinell's Assistant Luke Walter

– Theatrical Trailers

– TV Spots

– Radio Spots

 

Disc 2 (Blu-ray) Extras:

– NEW! MANIAC Outtakes

– NEW! Returning to the Scene of the Crime with William Lustig

– Anna and the Killer – Interview with Star Caroline Munro

– The Death Dealer – Interview with Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Savini

– Dark Notes – Interview with Composer Jay Chattaway

– Maniac Men – Interview with Songwriters Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky

– The Joe Spinell Story

– Mr. Robbie: Maniac 2 Promo Reel

– MANIAC Publicity

– MANIAC Controversy

 

BONUS! MANIAC Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Jay Chattaway

 

BONUS! Collectible Booklet with new essay by Michael Gingold

The limited edition has a release date of December 11th, and you can pre-order your copy at MVDshop for the price of $39.95.

Grab a copy if you think you can handle seeing the grotesqueries of MANIAC in 4K.