Select Page

Synapse Films surprise-drops “MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH” limited Steelbook Blu-ray today

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | News

By RUE MORGUE STAFF

The 1976 cult favorite has made its disc debut with all-new special features (including a couple by a RUE MORGUE staffer), and you’ll want to act fast to grab it.

Synapse Films announced this morning that its limited-edition Steelbook two-disc release (Blu-ray and DVD) of MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH is now available at its own website and DiabolikDVD. Written and directed by Renee Daalder, it stars Derrel Maury, Andrew Stevens (THE FURY), Robert Carradine (ORCA), Kimberly Beck (FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER) and Cheryl “Rainbeaux” Smith (LEMORA: A CHILD’S TALE OF THE SUPERNATURAL). The synopsis: “When new student David [Maury] arrives at Central High, he discovers that it is lorded over by a gang of bullies who rule the school through intimidation and violence. David’s friend Mark [Stevens] encourages him to join this dominant clique, but instead David stands up for their victims, and the gang cripples him in retaliation. Soon David begins taking steps to end their reign of terror permanently, setting in motion an explosive cycle of killing that may not end until no one is left to graduate!”

Synapse is producing 4,000 units of this special edition, though not all are available at this moment, as Synapse’s Don May Jr. explains: “Our initial plan was to put up all 4,000 immediately, but shipping issues caused us to only get a limited number of these to sell right now. So we have an extremely limited number available for shipping today from both Synapse Films and DiabolikDVD. It’s just an unlucky circumstance, but we couldn’t let the partial shipment hinder our plans for release. We expect the remaining pieces in, of course, but if you want to make sure you have one for yourself, or for someone as a gift for the holidays, my suggestion would be to order it ASAP. As soon as we sell out of our initial allotment, the ordering will go into pre-order status until the rest of the Steelbooks come in, which could be after the holidays.”

Previously available only on VHS, the movie is presented in a 1.78:1 widescreen, 1080p high-definition remaster scanned, transferred and supervised by Daalder, accompanied by the following bonus features:

  • Audio interviews by Mike White (“The Projection Booth” podcast), featuring interviews with cast members Andrew Stevens, Robert Carradine, Derrel Maury and Rex Steven Sikes
  • Audio interview with director Renee Daalder, conducted by writer/horror historian Michael Gingold
  • “Hell in the Hallways: The Making of MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH”: New making-of documentary
  • Theatrical trailer, TV spot and radio spot
  • Still gallery
  • Collectible booklet featuring liner notes by Michael Gingold
  • Newly translated removable English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
  • Steelbook combo-pack which includes both DVD and Blu-ray versions of the film
  • Limited-edition O-card/slipcover

Retail price is $45.95 ($39.95 plus $6.00 packing and handling; the $6.00 is not a shipping charge).