Monkey Shines 4K: Collector's Edition

DISC ONE: 4K UHD

• Audio Commentary with Director and Writer George A. Romero, Moderated by Stuart "Feedback" Andrews - Andrews serves as an effective moderator here, asking Romero detailed-enough questions that trigger extended responses. Together, they discuss the Jekyll and Mr. Hyde theme, auditions, and the biggest change Romero made to adapting Michael Stewart's eponymous 1983 novel. Romero describes the "Helping Hands" program, the training Boo and the other monkeys received, and the special makeup department's contributions to the puppeteering. Romero addresses the original ending and theatrical ending on a few occasions in this track. In English, not subtitled.
  
• NEW & EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Film Critic Eric Vespe and Author Daniel Kraus - this feature-length track is moderated more or less by Vespe. Kraus is more of an expert on Romero's oeuvre. The pair discuss 1980s American cinema themes that crop up in Monkey Shines, the actors and their backgrounds, crew members, and analyses of certain scenes. They also delve into the controversial ending and even Romero's unrealized projects. Neither Kraus nor Vespe go into Romero's adaptation of Stewart's novel. In English, not subtitled.

DISC TWO: Blu-ray

• Audio Commentary with Director and Writer George A. Romero, Moderated by Stuart "Feedback" Andrews - Andrews serves as an effective moderator here, asking Romero detailed-enough questions that trigger extended responses. Together, they discuss the Jekyll and Mr. Hyde theme, auditions, and the biggest change Romero made to adapting Michael Stewart's eponymous 1983 novel. Romero describes the "Helping Hands" program, the training Boo and the other monkeys received, and the special makeup department's contributions to the puppeteering. Romero addresses the original ending and theatrical ending on a few occasions in this track. In English, not subtitled.
  
• NEW & EXCLUSIVE Audio Commentary with Film Critic Eric Vespe and Author Daniel Kraus - this feature-length track is moderated more or less by Vespe. Kraus is more of an expert on Romero's oeuvre. The pair discuss 1980s American cinema themes that crop up in Monkey Shines, the actors and their backgrounds, crew members, and analysis of certain scenes. They also delve into the controversial ending and even Romero's unrealized projects. Neither Kraus nor Vespe go into Romero's adaptation of Stewart's novel. In English, not subtitled.
  
• An Experiment in Fear: The Making of MONKEY SHINES Legacy Featurette (49:31, 1080p) - this program produced by Red Shirt Pictures features interviews with special makeup effects artist Tom Savini, executive producer Peter Grunwald, writer/director George A. Romero as well as actors Kate McNeil, Jason Beghe, and John Pankow. Additional interviewees include editor Pasquale Buba as well as special effects assistants Greg Nicotero and Everett Burrell. The retrospective doc does a fine job of covering the production of Monkey Shines. Romero discusses some of the same material he broaches in his commentary track but there is different information shared here, too. All interviewees speak in English, not subtitled.
  
• Alternate Ending (5:11, upconverted to 1080i) - this contains both an alternate ending and an epilogue unused in the final cut. Shown in 1.33:1. Romero and editor Pasquale Buba apparently supplied the footage. In English, not subtitled.
  
• Deleted Scenes (4:07, upconverted to 1080i) - four excised scenes that look to be taken from a work print of the film. They are accompanied with musical underscore. Displayed in 1.33:1. Again, Romero and Buba provided the footage. In English, not subtitled.
  
• "Behind the Scenes" Footage (13:14, upscaled to 1080i) - BTS VHS footage of a few scenes from the film, snippets showing training of the monkey, and clips of monkey puppeteers (including Tom Savini manipulating a monkey doll). Savini provided the footage.
  
• The Making of MONKEY SHINES Original Featurette (5:21, upconverted to 1080i) - Orion's EPK featurette containing some B-roll footage and short interviews with writer/director George Romero, producer Charles Evans as well as actors Jason Beghe, Kate McNeil, and John Pankow. In English, not subtitled.
  
• Vintage Interviews and News Feature (5:41, upconverted to 1080i) - Presents the following:
  
  • 1. Extended Interview No. 1: George Romero, Time :44.
    
  • 2. Extended Interview No. 2: Jason Beghe, Time :39
    
  • 3. Extended Interview No. 3: Kate McNeil, Time :30
    
  • 4. Extended Interview No. 4: John Pankow, Time 1:17
    
  • 5. News Feature: includes BTS footage and an interview with Helping Hands instructor and monkey trainer Alison Pascoe.
    
• TV Spot (0:33, upconverted to 1080i) - one US TV spot for Monkey Shines presented in 1.33:1. It's more of a teaser.
  
• Still Gallery (2:38, 1080p) - a slideshow consisting of twenty-nine color photos of the makeup department working on monkey dolls.
  
• Theatrical Trailers (3:23 altogether) - Orion's two trailers for Monkey Shines. The first (1:54) is a standard theatrical trailer appearing in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The second (1:29) is a teaser trailer 16x9 enhanced that's excessively grainy and rife with age-related artifacts.