With Rob Zombie’s highly-anticipated reboot just around the corner, those lovely folks at Fabulous Films have taken the perfect opportunity to release The Munsters’ first big-screen adventure on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK. This 1966 Technicolor comedy – produced immediately following the black and white series’ conclusion – was helmed by series regular director Earl Bellamy and saw the whole cast – sans Marilyn’s Pat Priest – returning for the adventure.
Ultimately produced as a way to introduce new audiences to the characters in advance of the original series’ international syndication, Munster, Go Home! works as a standalone film, and arguably something of a reboot rather than a straightforward continuation. The film recycles a fair amount of the original series’ gags, and each of the characters are reintroduced in such a way so as to not alienate newcomers. But that’s not to say that there’s nothing here for fans; far from it, the series’ zany humour is wholly intact while seeing the characters leave the trappings of their television limitations is a thrill.
Performances across the board are as wonderful as ever – each of the leads are impeccable, with Al Lewis particularly delightful as Grandpa. The jokes come thick and fast, and although budgetary constraints are evident, the larger set-pieces such as the climactic DRAG-U-LA race sequence are charming in their old-school production quality. Ultimately, the film is just a warm-hearted and fun romp that harks back to the glory days of cheap n’ cheerful TV-to-film adaptations.
Fabulous Films’ Blu-ray is superb – the film looks as good as it probably ever could, and while it’s a shame that it doesn’t retain the supplemental features from the US release, one mustn’t grumble too much. The Munsters in high definition is enough of a treat.
Munster, Go Home! is a nostalgic delight, full of laughs for the whole family.