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The Borderlands (2013) (Limited Edition) (Blu-ray Review)

REVIEW OVERVIEW

The Film
The Video
The Audio
The Supplements
Overall

SUMMARY

A small crew of Vatican investigators go to a thirteenth century church in Devon to investigate strange supernatural activity.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Writer-director Elliot Goldner’s 2013 found footage horror film The Borderlands blends the religious terror of The Omen with the immediacy of The Blair Witch Project.

There are strange occurrences going on at a thirteenth century rural church in Devon, England. And a small team of supernatural investigators from the Vatican are sent to investigate. When the team finds there is a haunting, a priest is summoned to perform an exorcism, but then all hell breaks loose.

Goldner directs a genuinely scary and unique film that break out of the confines of the found footage genre techniques. It blends sincere humor in the banter between the leads Gordon Kennedy and Robin Hill, and builds to a frenzied, dark, and claustrophobic final act. Viewers can readily accept the fact that video cameras are running in unlikely scenarios and capturing any number of events at all times, and that is the ultimate success for any film that uses this plot device.

Purchase The Borderlands (Limited Edition) on Amazon UK

Purchase The Borderlands (Standard Edition) on Amazon UK

The Video

The Borderlands comes to Blu-ray in a 1.78:1 AVC 1080p encodement from Second Sight Films. The transfer stays out of the way, but like most ‘found footage’ films, this one will not rise to the top of reference quality releases given the low quality ‘shot on video’ look, low light level noise, and limited contrast that this format entails.

The Audio

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio mix is very well done for this sort of horror film, with lush atmospherics and placement of discrete and atmospheric sound effects through the surround channels. These sounds add to the eerie mood and enjoyment of the film.

The Supplements

The Borderlands arrives in another one of Second Sight’s fine Limited Edition collections in their premium slipcover box with a 70-page book and collectible art cards. On-disc bonuses include a new cast and crew audio commentary and new interviews.

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

Bonus Features:

  • Audio commentary with actors Robin Hill and Gordon Kennedy, producer Jennifer Handorf, and effects artist Dan Martin (NEW)
  • Dressed the Part: An interview with actors Robin Hill and Gordon Kennedy (1080p; 00:30:02) (NEW)
  • Losing Faith: An interview with producer Jennifer Handorf (1080p; 00:30:11) (NEW)
  • Monster Goo: An interview with special effects designer Dan Martin (1080p; 00:15:41) (NEW)
  • Archive Featurette: Behind the Scenes (1080p; 00:31:38)

The Final Assessment

Keep this British horror film in mind when autumn comes around and we head into the spooky season. It should be added to your horror marathon lists, and this collection is the perfect way to watch it. Recommended.


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

Purchase The Borderlands (Limited Edition) on Amazon UK

Purchase The Borderlands (Standard Edition) on Amazon UK


  • Rating Certificate: UK: 15
  • Studios & Distributors: Metrodome | Grindstone Entertainment Group | Second Sight Films
  • Director: Elliot Goldner
  • Written By: Elliot Goldner
  • Run Time: 89 Mins.
  • Street Date: 15 April 2024
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Video Format: AVC 1080p
  • Primary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
  • Subtitles: English SDH
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A small crew of Vatican investigators go to a thirteenth century church in Devon to investigate strange supernatural activity.The Borderlands (2013) (Limited Edition) (Blu-ray Review)