The Borderlands (2013) Limited Edition Blu-ray Review

The Borderlands (2013) Limited Edition Blu-ray Review

The Borderlands Limited Edition Blu-ray Box set & Standard Edition Blu-ray are available on 15 April from Second Sight Films

Say your prayers as writer-director Elliot Goldner’s chiller THE BORDERLAND is set to strike fear into your very soul, as this acclaimed British horror classic comes to Limited Edition Blu-ray from Second Sight Films. The brand-new set arrives on 15 April 2024 and comes complete with a host of fascinating special features, it will also be available in a standard edition.

When frequent strange happenings are reported at a thirteenth century church in rural Devon, a small team of Vatican investigators are sent in to try and demystify the unusual goings on… But what they discover is more disturbing than they could ever imagine.

Following its World premiere on 24 August 2013 at the London FrightFest Film Festival THE BORDERLANDS met with positive reviews from critics upon its release. In fact, so good were the reviews that I ended up buying this on DVD unseen and for once I was wise to believe the hype.

Released in the United States as FINAL PRAYER, this is one of a small number of found-footage films that works. It is very different from the usual insipid money-grab quick sells that have since gone on to saturate streaming platforms and ruin this subgenre’s already shaky reputation. The scares work, the build-up of tension palpable, the characters are well-rounded and its ‘is it real or is it a hoax’ angle keeps you on your toes throughout.

Unlike most other found-footage flicks writer/director Elliot Goldner, this being his directorial debut, is savvy enough to know that there needs to be some logic as to why cameras are placed where they are placed and by grounding his supernatural in this way it is then easier to buy into the concept on offer.

The wee cast all hit their spots – especially gorgeous Gordon Kennedy – and kudos to all involved for not veering towards the generic in respect of the film’s portrayal of religious folk. In Goldner’s film these are living, breathing well-rounded characters rather than a cliche and the film is all the better for it.

The film’s climactic moments have proven contentious, with some applauding it and others considering it a bad fit. For my money I like that this ending came out of leftfield, leaving it to the viewer to determine what has happened, rather than have everything spelt out for them.

Special Features

• New audio commentary by actors Robin Hill and Gordon Kennedy, producer Jennifer Handorf and

special effects designer Dan Martin

• Dressed the Part: a new interview with Robin Hill and Gordon Kennedy

• Losing Faith: a new interview with Jennifer Handorf

• Monster Goo: a new interview with Dan Martin

• Archive featurette: Behind the Scenes

Limited Edition Contents

• Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy

• 70-page book with new essays by Tim Coleman, Martyn Conterio, Shellie McMurdo and Johnny

Walker

• Six collectors’ art cards