Demon Knight
Universal Studios (1994)
Horror
In Collection
#714
6*
Seen It:  Yes
(6/13/2011)
025192360527
IMDB   6.2
92 mins USA/English
DVD  Region 1   R
John Kassir Crypt Keeper
Billy Zane The Collector
William Sadler Brayker
Jada Pinkett Smith Jeryline
Brenda Bakke Cordelia
CCH Pounder Irene
Dick Miller Uncle Willy
Thomas Haden Church Roach
John Schuck Sheriff Tupper
Gary Farmer Deputy Bob Martel
Charles Fleischer Wally Enfield
Director Gilbert Adler
Ernest R. Dickerson
Ernest Dickerson
Producer Gilbert Adler
Mark Bishop
Ethan Reiff
Richard Edlund
A L Katz
Alexander B. Collett
Dan Cracchiolo
Writer Mark Bishop
Ethan Reiff
Cyrus Voris

This first theatrical feature spun off from the television series Tales from the Crypt (which was in turn inspired by the infamous EC horror comics of the 1950s) concerns a mysterious man named Brayker ( Bill Sadler ), who arrives at a church-turned-rooming house in a small town in New Mexico. Hot on his trail is an equally mysterious and very menacing figure known as the Collector ( Billy Zane ), who arrives with policemen in tow; he claims that Brayker stole some keys from him, and he wants the cops to help him reclaim them. However, it turns out that the "keys" are actually several amulets that contain drops of the blood of Christ; they can be used to ward off evil in the right hands, but they can lead the world to doom if used improperly. The Collector and his forces lay siege to the house, with the other residents caught in the middle between Brayker and the Collector, including alcoholic Uncle Willy ( Dick Miller ), prostitute Cordelia ( Brenda Bakke ), sleazy Southerner Roach ( Thomas Church ), postal employee Wally ( Charles Fleischer ), sensible Jeryline ( Jada Pinkett ), and landlady Irene ( C.C.H. Pounder ). Bordello of Blood , the second Tales from the Crypt feature, hit theaters the following year. — Mark Deming
Edition Details
Release Date 10/7/2003
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio 1.85:1
Subtitles French; Spanish
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Surround
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Purchase Date 12/30/2003
Owner Thomas Eisenmann
Store Best Buy
Purchase Price $14.99
Condition Excellent
Reviewed Widescreen Review
Bit Rate 448 KB
Anamophic Yes
Links IMDB

Features
Anamophic
There are no supplements, though the Crypt Keeper epilogue is present (it was not present on the previous DVD).

Widescreen Review
Special Notes:
Full title: “Tales From The Crypt Presents Demon Knight”

Story Synopsis:
Tales From The Crypt’s "Demon Knight" stars Billy Zane as the evil soul-Collector, a charismatic demon forever in pursuit of a drifter named Brayker (Sadler), who holds the last remaining key that protects humanity from destruction. TV’s Crypt Keeper makes his big screen debut in this deadtime story of a gruesome cadre of cadavers held at bay in a boarding-house with ancient vials of sacred blood and automatic weapons. The production boasts spectacular special effects and the Crypt Keeper’s own brand of deadpan humor, which may be great fun for fans, but definitely not for children. There are no supplements, though the Crypt Keeper epilogue is present (it was not present on the previous DVD). (Gary Reber)

DVD Picture:
Compared to the previously released Image Entertainment DVD (Issue 33), this new 1.85:1 DVD, also anamorphically enhanced, exhibits a very slightly cleaner picture. The picture has an inherent softness, but details an be nicely rendered at times. Contrast and shadow delineation are excellent for this picture that is often, but appropriately, very dark. As with the previous DVD, there is some film grain and a few flecks of dirt noticed in the source element. Edge enhancement is not much of a problem, but there is some pixelization for an occasionally undesirable “digital” quality. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby® Digital 5.1 soundtrack is presumed to be the same as the original 5.1-channel theatrical mix (for some reason, the previous DVD release featured Dolby Digital 2.0). The audio presentation in general is impressive, projecting a liberal soundstage presence and often dramatically wide dynamic range with many instances of significant deep bass extension (and in certain instances intense with aggressive LFE channel activity). This sound mix is also distinguished for the engagement of the many multidimensional sound effects, as well as an effective music score that suitably engulfs you. Surround envelopment can become dramatically heightened, appropriate to the emotionally elevated moments in the movie. The recording quality is slightly dated. (Perry Sun)