Tunnel Vision (1976)

Description

Tunnel Vision (1976) – Blu-ray Review
“The funniest film of 1985!” (Shot in 1975)
Format: Blu-ray (Collector’s Edition) | ️ Release Date: May 13, 2025
️ Label: MVD Rewind Collection | ⏱️ Runtime: 68 minutes | Rated: Not Rated
Genres: Comedy • Satire • Sketch Comedy

️ Video – 3.0/5

MVD’s Blu-ray offers a 1080p AVC-encoded transfer in both 1.66:1 and 1.33:1 aspect ratios, sourced from what’s marketed as a “brand new 4K HD transfer.” Unfortunately, the presentation is a mixed bag.

There are definite moments of clarity and strong detail, but they’re sandwiched between inconsistently graded footage and scenes that clearly originate from standard-definition or interlaced sources. Expect:

• Color timing shifts with blooming reds and pinks
• Grain that borders on noise in several scenes
• Frequent aliasing, ghosting, and posterization
• Occasional damage and compositing anomalies

Whether this is due to vintage video processing or compromised original elements, the result is a visually erratic presentation, with some footage leaning heavily into 1970s video aesthetics.

Aspect Ratio(s): 1.66:1 and 1.33:1
Disc Type: BD-50
Region: A (B, C untested)

Audio – 4.0/5

The LPCM 2.0 Mono track is clean, vibrant, and totally effective for a fast-paced, absurdist sketch comedy. Dialogue is snappy and easy to understand, and the vintage songs by Brian Lambert & Dennis Potter come through with punch and warmth.

Expect occasional audio transitions that sound abrupt, but no major dropouts or distortion.

Subtitles: English SDH included

Special Features – 4.0/5

Tunnel Vision comes loaded with a quirky and substantial bonus package for a cult comedy with such a short runtime:

• ️ Audio Commentary with Matt Edward Heuck – Informative and well-paced; great for longtime fans.
• Neal Israel & Stuart Shapiro Interview (45 min, Zoom, HD) – A fascinating and often hilarious behind-the-scenes chat about the origins of the film and how it predated sketch comedy TV formats like SNL.
• ️ Photo Gallery (HD, 3:50)
• Archival Photo Gallery (SD, 2:55)
• Radio Spots (HD, 5:12)
• Continuity Script (HD, 8:25) – Automatically paged, so keep your pause button handy.
• ️ Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:56)
• Trailers for other MVD Rewind titles

Final Verdict – Blu-ray Score: 3.0/5

✅ PROS:

• Cult favorite sketch comedy from pre-SNL era
• Strong mono audio
• Surprisingly rich extras for a forgotten comedy
• Reversible art & poster sweeten the deal

⚠️ CONS:

• Uneven, sometimes rough video presentation
• SD/composited artifacts and color inconsistencies
• Short runtime (68 minutes)

BOTTOM LINE:
While the transfer won’t win any awards, fans of sketch comedy and vintage satire will still appreciate Tunnel Vision for its absurdist tone, early appearances by Chevy Chase and Al Franken, and its bold send-up of TV censorship and culture. The supplements and packaging are the real value here.

Recommended for cult comedy collectors, 70s TV satirists, and completists.