Xtro [Region Free]

When it comes to killer alien movies, Ridley Scott's 1979 epic surely wins hands down, but when it comes to delivering some truly gross out angry alien gooeyness - this British shocker from 1982 comes a very close second. I recall first seeing it back in the mid '80s when I managed to get a copy of it from my local video emporium and blowing my (then 11 year old) mind! Throughout the years, its popped back into my life but have never felt the need to plunk down my hard earned and own this seminal chunkblower. Well, until now that is.When happy dad Sam (Philip Sayer) is taken away infront of his son Tony (Simon Nash), things take aturn for the worst for our pint sized hero. Flash forward a few years and his mother Rachel (a very good Bernice Stegers) has a new man in her life Joe (Danny Brainin) and employs a au pair in the form of Maryam d'Abo, when totally out of the blue - Sam returns. Unbeknownst to this all-new nuclear family, he was taken by aliens and has now returned to reclaim his son. With that pretty basic story in a nutshell, you would be led to believe this is going to be another low budget letdown - however, director Harry Bromley Davenport has other ideas and delivers some truly amazing gore sequences that will make even the most hardened horror fanatic squirm.Besides the much lauded 'alien birth sequence' (which still stands the test of time in the gob-smacking department), the movie is cram full of 'out there' ideas and visual craziness: You want insect-like aliens having a frolic in the woods? No problem. You wanna see an over-sized Action Man doll stab some old woman from 'Eastenders' to a bloody pulp? Step right up. You fancy seeing some weird father and son alien bonding that will make your stomach churn? Its all here and then some. The movie is chock-full of so many ideas that exist to either repulse or amaze even the most ardent gore fan, you just have to take your hat off to the amount of lunacy and gooey entrails on display. Its hard to clarify how great the ideas behind this movie are (as on the surface, its pure B-movie craziness) - but the sheer inventiveness make this film the gift that keeps on giving.Second Sights' Blu-Ray release is a slam dunk for fans of the movie. Besides various versions of the movie, we also get quite a handful of fun extras including: 'Xploring Xtro' - a great 57 minute documentary which covers the production, 'The World of Xtro' - focussing on ultimate Xtro fan Dennis Atherton, 'Loving The Alien: A Tribute to Philip Sayer', 'Xtro Xposed' - a fun archive interview with Bromley-Davenport which has been ported over from an old US DVD release but eradicates his discussions about the sequel - which is a shame. Rounding out the disc is 'Beyond Xtro' which gives us test footage for a proposed fourth entry (hmmmm...), a soft cover book written by Kevin Lyons and a brilliant re-issue of the original soundtrack album. All in all, this is definitely worth a peek for old school gore hounds looking to rekindle that old flame or newbie horror fans looking for some gooey weirdness. Just remember to watch this one very late at night with the lights out and don't eat anything beforehand - its a real stomach troubler.

Just watched the Directors Cut and I had to say I am impressed with the picture quality.DO NOT expect a Crystal clear hd transfer There are limitations to the low budget film.Some reds,esp.in Tony,s bedroom scene with the clown are quite blurred (if that's the word).Over all this is the best you will get from this classic b.movie cult classic.I haven't watched the extra,s yet but did have a read of the enclosed booklet (with behind the scene pics)while,listening to the soundtrack CD,which has a John Carpenter feel to it.If you are a fan of these early British horror films...you will not be disappointed.

Love this movie it's mad, not a review of the story, the picture quality, I watched the special features which where informative, the Director said he was asked to play about with the colour of the movie, well I'm sorry to say I think it's awful. I thought there was something wrong with the TV. it contains a lot of dark scenes and a bit over coloured especially the bit where ACTION MAN goes on the kill. It has these very dark effects over the picture. Thankfully you also get the original version which I think looks great considering it's a low budget movie. Comes in a hard slip case and a 40 page book featuring behind the scene pictures plus a look at Xtro The Big One Reboot, some cheap looking CGI test footage , all in all well worth it. Ps you also get the CD soundtrack

I first saw this in the 1980s as a teenager looking for 'video nasties'. This was one of the more memorable films from that period, even though it was never a nasty. I've seen it dismissed as an 'Alien' rip off, but that's nonsense. It may be inspired by Alien, but it's in a league of its own. In short, it's a story about a chap who is abducted while playing with his young son. Three years later, he returns after the aliens revisit. How he returns is quite unpleasant for the person involved - not wishing to spoil the fun, it's a more traditional birth than the usual aliens!Having returned, he hooks up with his son (Who hasn't aged!) and what follows is surreal, horrific, but never dull. A pretty unique and memorable film (Imagine what the nude scenes did a teenager?). It makes very little sense, but works well if you think of it as a nightmarish journey you should enjoy. I think it's wonderful, demented and never dull, even if most of the acting is pretty wooden.This release looks stunning, is loaded with Xtras, sorry, Extras, and also includes the synth soundtrack. Lovers of eighties/seventies synth music should appreciate this - some if would have been perfectly in place on episodes of Dr Who.

I watched this when it first came out in the 80's and it frightened the life out of me. I was 15 and slept with the lights on for 2 months after watching it. When I saw it appear on amazon I thought I'd watch it again.....but didn't get very far. When the dad returns for the first time as the alien it took me right back to being 15 and I couldn't watch it. Weird really seeing as I am a horror movie fan

I finally got around to watching this classic British horror film, I remember going to the cinema to see this... All those years ago. A nice indi film that is a bit of a sleeper, more like a cult classic to me. I'd like to see this film on a bigger and better TV as it comes across as a dark transfer on my portable player. Note to self... Buy a better TV and Blu-ray/DVD player. Nevertheless, this is a great horror film and a good story... One film that I will keep on my shelf. Hmm,,, now to search for Lifeforce.!

OK we know the films looking at two star review at the most! it's plots a bit barmy and some parts just don't make any sense, however this is a quality release for such a underwhelming movie, alt endings and a great interview with the director (who also regards this and it's sequels as rubbish!) The pictures mostly clean as is the audio (Italian/english), if you collect crappie 80's horror this is one for the collection.