Crimewave Blu-Ray

Original release 1985

Running time 87/82 min

Aspect ratio 1.85:1

Color/B&W Color

Genre Comedy, Crime

After the colossal success of The Evil Dead, director Sam Raimi teamed up with the Coen brothers (fresh from Blood Simple) to make his next film, Crimewave, an unusual mix of screwball comedy, film noir, and B-movie homage. Raimi's film tells the bizarre story of a security installer, Vic (Reed Birney), who ends up in the electric chair when he falls in love with Nancy (Sheree J Wilson), a femme fatale on the run from two bumbling exterminators "of all sizes" (Paul L Smith, Popeye, and Brion James, Blade Runner).

Crimewave was a notoriously problematic production that flopped when it was originally released and can now be enjoyed as an outrageous showcaseshowcase for Raimi and the Coens, who also benefit from a highly entertaining performance from cult horror star Bruce Campbell.

Extras "INDICATOR STANDARD EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES

High-definition remaster

Four presentations: the 87-minute international version with a choice of three alternative titles (Broken Hearts and Noses, The XYZ Murders, and Crimewave); and the 82-minute American theatrical version

Original mono audio

Audio commentary with actor and producer Bruce Campbell and filmmaker Michael Felsher (2013)

Audio commentary with Sam Raimi expert James Flower (2021)

The Crime Wave (2013, 16 min): Bruce Campbell revisits his early collaboration with writer-director Raimi

Leading Man (2013, 16 min): actor Reed Birney talks about Crimewave and his broader career

Made in Detroit (2013, 9 min): Producer and actor Edward R Pressman discusses the making of the film. Rank Outsider (2021, 10 min): Critic and author Kim Newman recalls the original British release. Too Much for Comfort (2021, 8 min): appreciation by comedian, musician, and author Rob Deering. previously unseen digest version with unique narration, intended for industry use

US theatrical trailer

US home video trailer

French theatrical trailer

Image galleries: promotional material and behind-the-scenes photographs

The XYZ Murders script gallery: complete pre-production script

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Image galleries: promotional material and behind-the-scenes photographs

The XYZ Murders script gallery: complete pre-production script

New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing"