He’s a wild, irresponsible two-timing wiseguy from Brooklyn. But you gotta love him. Spike Fumo (Sasha Mitchell) aspires to boxing glory and doesn’t want to end up a loser like his dad, who’s taking a rap in Sing Sing for local mob boss Baldo Cacetti (Ernest Borgnine). When tough, handsome and not very smart Spike hooks up with the mobster’s blonde princess daughter Angel (Maria Pitillo), he angers Cacetti and is banished from Italian Bensonhurst to Puerto Rican Red Hook. How will Spike rebound after being bounced from the only turf he’s ever known? Legendary New York filmmaker Paul Morrissey’s satiric comedy is a wise and very funny sendup of Brooklyn mafia community relations in the ‘80s. Newly-restored from it’s original 35mm camera negative, Spike of Bensonhurst makes its worldwide debut on 4K UHD and Blu-ray.

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Video Quality

Spike of Bensonhurst debuts on 4K UHD Blu-Ray courtesy of Fun City Editions with a 2160p HDR10 transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio that is derived from a 4K restoration of the 35mm Original Camera Negative. The film is also making it’s Blu-Ray debut with the included Blu-Ray from the same restoration, so those who are not yet 4K UHD capable can buy this release for a wonderful HD presentation and be set if you ever make the format upgrade.

The presentation retains the rich, natural textured film aesthetic of the era with image stability and clarity rendering impeccably. Everything appears to be accurate to its intended appearance, yet refined to avoid any undesired clumpy grain frozen in the background. Virtually all instances of print damage, such as nicks and scratches, have been eradicated for a pristine viewing experience. Fun City Editions continues to be one of our favorite boutique labels in the game thanks to their thoughtful restorations.

The utilization of HDR10 allows all of the colors to be ideally saturated with deep, natural hues coming through with the utmost accuracy. With the film taking place over the summer in different cities, the scenery is often bright and vibrant with some of the vegetation standing out in particular. Black levels hold up well with no moments of crush or banding observed. The design elements are preserved well on screen with great complexity in the costumes and production design. Skin tones are natural and consistent with distinct features such as facial hair and wrinkles easily distinguishable in close-up. Fun City Editions has taken a chance on a title that was never expected to have a 4K UHD release, but it is a beauty now that it is a reality.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mono track that represents the soundscape of this narrative with the utmost care. One of our favorite aspects of this movie is the music, and every tune or piece of original score comes through with favorable fidelity. Dialogue is the driving element of this narrative, and sarcastic quips or boasts come through clearly, even when the setting gets a bit chaotic. We did not hear any shortcomings or signs of age-related wear, such as hissing, crackling, or distortion. This track is a winner that delivers a sonically consistent experience. Fun City Editions has provided an audio experience that matches the visual side of things. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Film programmer William Morris provides an informative commentary track in which he discusses the legacy of the feature, how this fits into the filmography of Paul Morrissey, the careers of the talent involved, the themes of the feature, and much more that is worthwhile.

A Very Sophisticated Film – Interview with Steven Fierberg: A new 17-minute interview with director of photography Steven Fierberg in which he discusses his background, some of his early work with Paul Morrissey, the inclusive nature of the filmmaker, the production of Spike of Bensonhurst, and more.

A Personal Milestone – Interview with Leonard Finger: A new 18-minute interview with casting director Leonard Finger in which he discusses his collaborations with Paul Morrissey, the crew brought together for Spike of Bensonhurst, how this production differed from Morrissey’s typical setup, bringing various personalities together for the ensemble, and more.

Something to See – Interview with Sam Grogg: A new six-minute interview with executive producer Sam Grogg in which he discusses his relationship to his fellow producers, moments that were changed during production, and more.

Paul Morrissey at Home, 1989: A 25-minute archival interview with the filmmaker in which he discusses his movies, how New York reflects the world at large, the strong personalities of characters in his movies, and more.

Isolated Music Track

Image Gallery (5:49)

Paul Morrissey Trailers: Trailers are provided for Spike of Bensonhurst, Mixed Blood, and Trash.

Workprint Rough Cut (1:46:57)

Easter Eggs: Click around on the menu screen to find some cool Easter Eggs, such as vintage trailers and commercials.

Booklet: There is a bound booklet included featuring the essay “All in the Family: Paul Morrissey Takes on the Mob in Spike of Bensonhurst” by film critic Margaret Barton-Fumo that explores the work of the filmmmaker, the themes, the reception of the film, and much more that is enlightening.

Final Thoughts

Spike of Bensonhurst is a very under-the-radar film from the ‘80s that blends a few disparate genres without the tone going totally off the rails. The titular character can be a bit grating with his obnoxious confidence, but you come to understand that he has a good heart underneath his aggressive nature. The general arc is familiar, but it is done well with a strong ensemble, especially the nuanced portrayal from the great Ernest Borgnine. Considering the existence of this movie was unknown to us before the announcement of this disc, it is fair to say it has not gotten the exposure it deserves over the years, so we hope people take a chance on this charming film. Fun City Editions has delivered a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a fantastic A/V presentation and some excellent special features. Recommended

Spike of Bensonhurst is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Fun City Editions has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.