The first of what was originally planned as a series of horror films made with Clive Barker, who is credited with the story and (with James Caplin) the screenplay. Underworld (AKA Transmutations) is best looked at as a 1980’s oddity and a precursor to stronger adaptations of his work.
In Futuristic London, Roy Bain (Larry Lamb) is hired by crime boss Hugo Motherskille (Steven Berkoff) to find Nicole (Nicola Cowper), one of his prostitutes who also happens to be his former flame, that has been kidnapped. A group of eerie mutants that live underground grabbed her, believing her body might provide the answers to their mutations. They got hooked on the synthetic drug “White Man” courtesy of unethical biochemist Dr. Savary (Denholm Elliott). Nicole is the only addict whose appearance isn’t turning into the Elephant Man.
Among Clive Barker’s worst work, the acting is terrible, though Steven Berkoff and Denholm Elliott do their best to make something out of nothing. Over the years Clive Barker has proven himself a talented writer, but he missed the mark here. The result is a story that isn’t very original and never amounts to anything. There’s no real tension and the few action scenes are a bore. I tried to find something positive here but came up empty.
Underworld is for Clive Barker completists only. Everyone one else should give this movie a hard pass.
Underworld AKA Transmutations arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as the fifth entry in the Kino Cult line. Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this 4K transfer is interesting. Full of strange neon-infused lighting schemes, fog machines and filters, this transfer is surprisingly good. Monster and gore effects are much more detailed than I remember them being on VHS. Facial features are pleasing throughout, and a healthy grain structure exists without any apparent DNR. Human skin tones are realistic. Black levels are inky with a nice sense of depth. The film may not be a great one, but Kino has delivered an excellent 4K transfer.
The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track is a strong one. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise. Sound effects have an 1980s exaggerated quality (much like the movie itself). The film’s score and music score help fill out the soundscape. Action scenes are full and active.
English SDH subtitles are available.
The follow extras are included:
4K Disc:
- Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
- NEW Audio Commentary with Director George Pavlou, Moderated by Stephen Thrower, the Author of Nightmare USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents
Blu-ray Disc:
- NEW Audio Commentary with Director George Pavlou, Moderated by Stephen Thrower, the Author of Nightmare USA: The Untold Story of the Exploitation Independents
- Transmutations (103 Minute Alternate Cut) 1080 SDR Hybrid
- Archival Behind-the-Scenes Footage (3:53)
- Image Gallery of Stills, Storyboards, Make-Up Tests and Clive Barker Designs
Get your copy of Underworld (1985) here!
