Second Sight Films Unveils Complete Restoration of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ on Limited Edition Blu-ray

The Blair Witch Project is a highly influential horror film that has never looked correct on home video or DVD due to a series of technical mistakes in its transfer process. Here is a concise summary of the key points:

1. Original Transfer Issues: The film was shot on Hi8 video and 16mm black and white film but was transferred to 35mm film for theatrical release due to technological limitations in 1999. This involved a process called "telecine," where the film was recorded onto a special screen[2][5].

2. Incorrect Home Video Transfer: For the home video release, the same 35mm negative was re-transferred to video, introducing serious motion errors, film grain, and color issues, resulting in a distorted appearance[5].

3. New Restoration: The UK company Second Sight Films has released a new Blu-ray edition that features the first-ever proper transfer from the original Hi8 videotapes and 16mm film elements, supervised and approved by the producers and directors[2][5].

4. Special Features: The 2-disc Limited Edition set includes:

   • A new Second Sight Films restoration of the original theatrical cut and festival cut.
   • A feature-length documentary by Second Sight Films about the making of the film.
   • New audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson, as well as directors’ and producers’ audio commentary.
   • Deleted scenes, including previously unseen footage.
   • Additional documentaries and bonus materials[2].
5. Availability: The new Blu-ray release is currently available in Region B and is expected to be released on November 11, 2024[2][3]. It can be pre-ordered from Second Sight’s website.

This new restoration aims to present the film as it was originally intended, correcting the visual inaccuracies that plagued previous releases, making it a must-watch for fans and horror enthusiasts alike to experience the true horror of the Blair Witch Project.