Dark Sky Films has just released a new edition of Jim VanBebber’s violent cult classic Deadbeat at Dawn as part of their truly impressive four disc “Visions of Hell” DVD box-set (which also includes the unrated, two-disc special edition of VanBebber’s transgressive shocker The Manson Family), but those who still own the original Synapse release of Deadbeat at Dawn may not want to toss that old disc up on eBay just yet!
 
 
 
Presented in its original 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio, Dark Sky’s release of Deadbeat at Dawn sports a clean transfer with the kind of grain that makes the viewer feel as if they’re watching one of the director’s original 16mm prints. The picture is a bit brighter than the old Synapse release, but it’s also slightly more saturated and the colors (especially those vivid reds) are a little less stable. By comparison, the Synapse release of Deadbeat at Dawn seems to have more accurate flesh tones as well as a more stable image, a fact that may give owners of that release cause to hang on to that out of print disc. Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, and rings through loud and clear throughout.

But while it may be up for debate whether Synapse or Dark Sky has released the definitive version of the film itself, it’s the bonus features on this two disc edition that make it a must have for any fan of the film. Blasting out of the barrel with a hard rocking, blood spattered rock and roll intro, the featurette “Deadbeat at Dawn: Half-Desperate, Half-Crazy, and Totally Dangerous” opens with an laid-back VanBebber discussing his influences and film background in great detail. After revealing the details about his first film - the unfinished 8mm masterpiece “Return of the Werewolf” – VanBebber moves on to talk about his love for animation and gets into great detail about the production of “Deadbeat at Dawn.” It’s an informative featurette with some great behind the scenes footage, and it’s amusing to watch the dancing beer bottles on the table behind VanBebber throughout the course of the interview. Three minutes of silent outtakes are goofy, gory fun, and a “Behind the Scenes” segment originally produced on VHS in 1986 and 1987 finds the filmmakers working on fight choreography, guzzling Milwaukee’s Best, and discussing shots. An additional image gallery is nicely presented, but the crowning jewel of this disc has to the inclusion of VanBebber’s shorts “My Sweet Satan,” “Roadkill: The Last Days of John Martin,” “Doper,” “Kata,” and “Into the Black.” While “My Sweet Satan” was originally included on Synapse Film’s DVD release of “Deadbeat at Dawn,” this is the first time the four other films have been released to DVD and it’s great to see them included here as they truly allow the viewer to witness VanBebber’s growth as a filmmaker. “My Sweet Satan,” “Roadkill,” and “Into the Black” in particular offer a gruesome preview of things to come in “Deadbeat at Dawn” and “The Manson Family,” while “Kata” highlight’s VanBebber’s ongoing fascination with martial arts and “Doper” offers a rare glimpse into the his capabilities as a documentary filmmaker.

The version of “The Manson Family” included in this set is the same two-disc edition that was originally released by Dark Sky in April of 2005. In addition to offering a breathtaking transfer of the film itself, it also includes a variety of informative and entertaining special features including the documentaries “The VanBebber Family” and “In the Belly of the Beast,” an interview with Charles Manson, theatrical trailers, and a still gallery.