Overview: Bringing together six films, all new to Blu-ray and in brand new restorations, 'Weird Wisconsin: The Bill Rebane Collection' packs in a mutant astronaut bothering blissful sunbathers (Monster A Go-Go), a contagion apocalypse as seen from the vantage point of a remote mountain cabin (Invasion from Inner Earth), deadly alien spores from the rocks of Mars (The Alpha Incident), rural gothic and outright horror (The Demons of Ludlow), an eccentric ‘body count’ movie (The Game), and a comedy smash-‘em up that pits three hillbilly stooges against a talking Monster Truck with artificial intelligence (Twister’s Revenge!).

Blu-ray Verdict: Alien Invasions! Haunted Pianos! Sentient Monster Trucks! Arrow Video is proud to present the first ever collection of works by Bill Rebane, the epitome of an independent regional filmmaker who built his own studio in the wilds of Wisconsin.

He acted for Hitchcock, he searched for the arms of the Venus De Milo, he turned a VW Beetle into a giant spider and he’s still at work today!

Up first was 'Monster A Go-Go' (1965) where a space capsule crash-lands on Earth, and the astronaut aboard disappears. Is there a connection between the missing man and the monster roaming the area?

Well, and in all truth, and I don't usually say things like this, but there truly is not much to say about this movie, because it's all such nonsense to watch!

Throughout, I just honestly had no real idea as to what the storyline was, mainly due to the fact that it got told in such a messy and unimaginative way.

It's really like the filmmakers themselves also had no idea what they were shooting and what story they were following and trying to tell!

It's all over the place with its story and characters, that randomly pop-up and also do and say lots of random stuff, which most of the time don't really connect with the rest of the movie.

In what was an attempt at a '60's science-fiction/horror crossover, the only thing this movie has going for it is a decent monster; but sadly it is only in about there scenes!

Next up was 'Invasion from Inner Earth' (1974) which brings us a contagion apocalypse as seen from the vantage point of a remote mountain cabin.

As you might well have already guessed, most of this film is pretty much set in a cabin, the group listening to an alien invasion on the wireless and TV.

Nothing much happens throughout with regard any deep group dynamics and the special effects conjured up are, well, just shameful. However, the film does have its redeeming features, such as the idea that both radio/TV stations are still running broadcasts and updates whilst the Earth is being taken over, must have clearly influenced George A. Romero's 'Dawn of the Dead.'

Then we get 'The Alpha Incident' (1978) where a deadly alien spores from the rocks of Mars. Feeling like a feature-length episode of 'The Twilight Zone,' the film slightly overstays its welcome, but it does have an interesting premise and uses its low budget effectively.

It's a shame that the performances aren't better because those could have really amped up the tension and made this into a tight thriller. A better film would have you on the edge of your seat as the characters are trapped in quarantine after being exposed by a virus from Mars.

This one doesn't really do that much with the premise. As is, it isn't terrible, but it isn't spectacular either.

Then we get 'The Demons of Ludlow' (1983) where a murderous demon lurks inside an antique piano in a picturesque coastal town. In much the same vein as the great Stephen King and his plots, a New England town receives a gift of an antique piano from the relatives of its founding father, and immediately things begin to get weird!

Objects move of there own accord, a ghost girl appears randomly everywhere, and people from the past are seemingly stepping back into the present. It's up to a visiting journalist (and once resident) and the local priest to sort things out.

Although the budget is extremely low, Rebane's no fool. He throws in as many scares as possible, what with the moving objects, ghost demons, surreal, crying and laughing toys, a demonic hand pulling folks into another dimension, and even a bit of good for good measure (a decapitation and amputation).

Ergo, 'The Demons of Ludlow' has definitely got a sense of that playfulness of his other films, but it's more like an outright horror, and one that had me hooked from start to finish!

Next up is 'The Game' (1984) where three bored millionaires gather nine people in an old mansion, and give them a proposition - if they can meet and conquer their biggest fears, they'll get one million dollars in cash!

OK, now this is a real head scratcher of a film by Rebane, who appeared to be getting worse in his trade throughout the eighties!

Three crackpot millionaires invite nine people to a remote hotel to compete in a last person standing contest in which the final contestant will be given $1 million provided he or she makes it that far.

A series of lame pranks are pulled on some of the guests while the others engage in what most adults would do under the circumstances namely get shitfaced at the hotel bar!

Most scenes are merely an excuse to focus the camera on various female body parts including an opening dance number that is a crossover of American Bandstand meets geriatric aerobics complete with hookers!

If there was any hesitation that white people can't dance this scene hammers the final nail in that coffin. Pay close attention for the nipple slip. This continues on for about forty-five minutes until Rebane begins throwing darts at various plot twists and whatever he hits becomes the inspiration for the next scene (sadly making this one incoherent mess)!

It's a game until it's not a game. The three old coots are in complete control until they're not. The hotel is possessed by a supernatural force until it becomes just props. They're dead until they're not. Even the narrator at the end replies that he doesn't know what the hell happened!!

Lastly we get 'Twister’s Revenge!' (1988) where three bumbling criminals have been trying to get their hands on the computerized control system of Mr. Twister, a talking monster truck with a mind of its own!

Well, for my money, 'Twister's Revenge!' is one of the most hilarious movies I have ever seen! Absolutely full of bad acting and bad filming and with dialogue like thick, sticky cheese, this zany flick (about a monster truck with artificial intelligence) is, yes, a bad movie, but has fantastic value as comic relief, trust me!

Simply put, after several failed attempts the hicks get tough, capture the fiancé of Twister's owner, and set off with a bazooka to get the truck! Many buildings explode and get destroyed, cars are crushed, and much slapstick ensues! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

Six Bill Rebane films, all newly restored from the best surviving film elements: Monster A Go-Go (1965), Invasion from Inner Earth (1974), The Alpha Incident (1978), The Demons Of Ludlow (1983), The Game (1984), Twister’s Revenge (1988)
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations on 4 Blu-ray discs
Original uncompressed mono audio for all films
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Straight Shooter, a multi-part interview with director Bill Rebane about the making and release of each film in the set
Who is Bill Rebane? A definitive brand new feature length documentary by historian and critic David Cairns, featuring contributions from filmmakers, fans, historians, critics, and the cast and crew who worked with Bill Rebane [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]
Fully illustrated 60-page collector’s booklet featuring extensive new writing by historian and critic Stephen Thrower, author of Nightmare USA: The Untold Story of Exploitation Independents [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]
Reversible poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by The Twins of Evil [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]
Reversible sleeves featuring newly commissioned artwork for each of the films by The Twins of Evil

DISC ONE - MONSTER A GO-GO + INVASION FROM INNER EARTH
Straight Shooter Part 1 and Part 2, two newly filmed interviews about the making of Monster A Go-Go and Invasion from Inner Earth with director Bill Rebane
Brand new interview with historian and critic Kim Newman about the films of Bill Rebane
Twist Craze, and Dance Craze, two early short films by Bill Rebane
Kidnap Extortion (1973), a newly restored industrial short directed by Bill Rebane
Stills and Promotional Gallery

DISC TWO - THE ALPHA INCIDENT + THE DEMONS OF LUDLOW
Straight Shooter Part 3 and Part 4, two newly filmed interviews about the making of The Alpha Incident and The Demons of Ludlow with director Bill Rebane
Rebane’s Key Largo, a brand new visual essay by historian and critic Richard Harland Smith
The Alpha Incident original trailer
The Demons of Ludlow original trailer
Stills and Promotional Gallery