Plot: What’s it about?
An inmate has escaped from an insane asylum, which has locals terrified and the authorities on a desperate search. After all, someone of this person’s mental state could do a lot of damage, not to mention endanger innocent lives. In the escape, the inmate killed a guard in a most brutal fashion and then headed off to an unknown location. But when a college professor is murdered in the same kind of twisted fashion, the school zone seems to be the new residence of the inmate. No sign of the madman however, so the police continue their search. When a new teacher arrives and a new class of students file in, the killer has fresh meat to hunt down. Even with a crazed killer on the loose, few students seem concerned. So the parties rage on and instead of safety, the kids only worry about beer and getting laid. The madman strikes however, taking one student after another in hideous murders. But the students don’t do much to protect themselves, although one student, Julie (Francine Forbes) has taken an interest in the situation. She picks up where the police have given up, taking clues and evidence into consideration. But when she learns the truth, can she survive long enough to break the news, or will she just be the next victim?
A slasher movie is supposed to be brutal, blood soaked, and bitter toward women, such is the genre, after all. So when reviews of Splatter University claimed it was hateful toward women, I had to wonder if the writer was insane. These kind of movies always involve some sick killer that hunts down women, then slays them in twisted fashion. Yes, some men are also offed from time to time, but the ladies seem to be the target in most cases. If you’re offended by violent deaths, then you have no business in the horror section to start with, but if you take issue only when female are killed, then you need medication. Splatter University does have one male death, involving a crotch and a sharp tool no less, but the women are the targets, no doubt. As expected, the movie isn’t a good one in the usual sense, but for slasher nuts, it is a worthwhile picture. The cast is atrocious, but hilarious to see in action, while the storyline is passable, though filled with subplots that never go anywhere, so don’t expect literate horror in this case. The real draw is the gore and while not a total gusher, the flick has some choice moments of bloodshed. The low rent roots are evident, but for what it is, I found this to be a decent watch. Elite’s disc has the basics covered, so if you’re interested, Splatter University is worth at least a rental.
Video: How does it look?
Splatter University is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a low budget slasher flick from the ’80s, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look good on our beloved format, right? Thanks to Elite (who has done fine work with some other overlooked films also), we have a new anamorphic transfer that allows the film to look better than ever, at least in terms of home video. There is some grain and debris evident on the source print, but I think the image looks pretty clean, no real problems here to discuss. The colors look solid, flesh tones are natural, and the black levels are on they money, what more can you want? I think Elite deserves a little thanks to giving this low profile title a brand new transfer, so thanks Elite!
Audio: How does it sound?
This disc uses the original mono track, which seems up to the task if you ask me. The film’s very cool and very eerie musical soundtrack is in fine form, with no real drawbacks from age or mono limits present. It doesn’t immerse you of course, but it comes off better than most music does in the mono form. The sound effects and vocals don’t fare as well, but they still sound, as far as mono goes. I heard some harshness in both elements, which causes me to lower the score, which was raised by the music’s smooth sound. In the end, this track has a few small issues, but stands well as a mono track.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
