Synapse Films is an American

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...

and

Blu-ray The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 2005 and released on June 20, 2006 worldwide. It is designed to supersede the DVD format, and capable of st ...

label, founded in 1997 and specializing in cult horror,

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...

and exploitation films.

History

Synapse Films was owned and operated by Don May, Jr. and his business partners Jerry Chandler and Charles Fiedler, the catalyst being May's longstanding interest in and passion for TV and cinema. May explained, “I caught the laserdisc bug while working at a local laserdisc store while I was in college. I was selling laserdisc players and buying product and I pretty much spent every extra dollar I had on laserdiscs. I loved movies and the disc format and knew this was a business I wanted to be in.” May became a part owner of Elite Entertainment after leaving his aforementioned job in laserdisc retail. The Synapse catalog ranges from European horror touchstones like '' Vampyros Lesbos'', and ''

Castle of Blood ''Castle of Blood'' ( it, Danza Macabra, links=no) is a 1964 horror film directed by Antonio Margheriti and Sergio Corbucci. The film stars Barbara Steele, Arturo Dominici and Georges Rivière. The film was initially commissioned to director Ser ...

'', to important genre documentaries including Roy Frumkes' ''Document of the Dead'', from drive-in favorites like ''

The Brain That Wouldn't Die ''The Brain That Wouldn't Die'' (also known as ''The Head That Wouldn't Die'' or ''The Brain That Couldn't Die'') is a 1962 American science fiction horror film directed by Joseph Green and written by Green and Rex Carlton. The film was complete ...

'' to

Leni Riefenstahl Helene Bertha Amalie "Leni" Riefenstahl (; 22 August 1902 – 8 September 2003) was a German film director, photographer and actress known for her role in producing Nazi propaganda. A talented swimmer and an artist, Riefenstahl also became in ...

's Nazi film ''

Triumph of the Will ''Triumph of the Will'' (german: Triumph des Willens) is a 1935 German Nazi propaganda film directed, produced, edited and co-written by Leni Riefenstahl. Adolf Hitler commissioned the film and served as an unofficial executive producer; his n ...

''. In 2004, Synapse released the controversial '' Thriller – A Cruel Picture'' on DVD, followed by a Blu-ray release in 2022. A competing 4k UHD release by

Vinegar Syndrome Cellulose acetate film, or safety film, is used in photography as a base material for photographic emulsions. It was introduced in the early 20th century by film manufacturers and intended as a safe film base replacement for unstable and highly ...

is set for later in 2022, raising questions as to which company has a current and valid license to the title. Detroit film scholar Nicholas Schlegel released his documentary ''The Synapse Story'' in its entirety on

YouTube YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...

. The documentary details the history and vision of the label and its founders. More films from Synapse Films: * 42nd Street Forever Vol. 1 * 42nd Street Forever Vol. 2 he Deuce * 42nd Street Forever Vol. 3: Exploitation Explosion! * 42nd Street Forever Vol. 4 – 2008 * 42nd Street Forever Vol. 5: Alamo Drafthouse Edition * 42nd Street Forever: The Blu-ray Edition * 42nd Street Forever: XXX-Treme Special Edition * Animalada * Asian Cult Cinema: Extreme Horror Collection; Organ,

Evil Dead Trap ''Evil Dead Trap'' (known in Japan as lit. Trap of The Dead Spirits) is a 1988 Japanese slasher film directed by Toshiharu Ikeda and produced by Japan Home Video. Plot TV show host Nami asks her viewers to send in home movies; she receives a ...

, Entrails of a Virgin, Entrails of a Beautiful Virgin. * Asylum (aka I Want to Be a Gangster) * At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul * Bacchanales Sexuelles *

Basket Case 2 ''Basket Case 2'' is a 1990 American comedy horror film written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, and the sequel to the 1982 film '' Basket Case''. It stars Kevin Van Hentenryck as Duane Bradley, who moves with his deformed, formerly conjoined t ...

* Basket Case 3: The Progeny * Battle Girl: The Living Dead in Tokyo Bay * Beast from Haunted Cave * Bizarre * Black Roses * The Booby Hatch *

(Special Edition) * Brutes And Savages ncivilized Version* Budo: The Art of Killing *

ncut International Version* The Chick's Ability *

Chiller A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid coolant via a vapor-compression, adsorption refrigeration, or absorption refrigeration cycles. This liquid can then be circulated through a heat exchanger to cool equipment, or another p ...

– The Complete Television Series * Christmas Evil pecial Edition * The Coffin Joe Trilogy DVD Set At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul,

Embodiment of Evil ''Embodiment of Evil'' ( pt, Encarnação do Demônio) is a 2008 Brazilian horror film directed by and starring José Mojica Marins. It is the third installment in his ''Coffin Joe'' trilogy, featuring Marins reprising his role as Zé do Caixão ...

This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse ''This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse'' ( pt, Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver) is a 1967 Brazilian horror film directed by José Mojica Marins. Marins is also known by his alter ego Coffin Joe (Zé do Caixão). It is the second installmen ...

Cold Hearts Cold Hearts is a 1999 American horror-thriller film written and directed by Robert A. Masciantonio. It stars Marisa Ryan, Robert Floyd, and Amy Jo Johnson. Cast * Marisa Ryan as Viktoria * Robert Floyd as Seth * Amy Jo Johnson as Alicia * C ...

* The Complete Hammer House of Horror, -Disc DVD Set *

Countess Dracula ''Countess Dracula'' is a 1971 British Hammer horror film based on some of the legends surrounding the Countess Elizabeth Báthory. The film was produced by Alexander Paal and directed by Peter Sasdy, both Hungarian émigrés working in Englan ...

* The Creep Behind the Camera pecial Edition *

Curtains A curtain is a piece of cloth or other material intended to block or obscure light, air drafts, or (in the case of a shower curtain), water. A curtain is also the movable screen or drape in a theatre that separates the stage from the auditoriu ...

* Cyclone * Dark Forces *

The Deadly Spawn ''The Deadly Spawn'' is a 1983 American science fiction horror film written and directed by Douglas McKeown, and produced by Ted A. Bohus. The film's plot centers on an meteor that lands on Earth, which unleashes a carnivorous alien that finds ...

pecial Edition * Death of a Snowman * The Definitive Document of the Dead *

Demons 2 ''Demons 2'' ( it, Dèmoni 2) is a 1986 Italian horror film directed by Lamberto Bava and produced by Dario Argento. It is a sequel to Bava's 1985 film ''Demons'' and stars David Knight, Nancy Brilli, Coralina Cataldi Tassoni, as well as Argento ...

* Demons ovie-Only Version *

Django the Bastard ''Django the Bastard'' ( it, Django il bastardo) is a 1969 Italian Gothic fiction, gothic Horror Western, horror Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Garrone who co-wrote the film with the star Anthony Steffen. In 1974 Herman Cohen released a ...

lu-ray*

The Dorm That Dripped Blood ''The Dorm That Dripped Blood'', originally released under the title ''Pranks'', is a 1982 American slasher film directed by Stephen Carpenter and Jeffrey Obrow, written by Carpenter and Stacey Giachino, and starring Laurie Lapinski, Stephen Sac ...

(Uncensored Directors’ Cut) *

Effects Effect may refer to: * A result or change of something ** List of effects ** Cause and effect, an idiom describing causality Pharmacy and pharmacology * Drug effect, a change resulting from the administration of a drug ** Therapeutic effect, a ...

D/DVD Combo Pack* Entrails Of A Beautiful Woman * Entrails of a Virgin *

Executive Koala , born 15 August 1958, is a Japanese filmmaker, best known for low-budget parody films featuring surreal humour and traditional practical effects. Kawasaki began his career with mostly self-financed work, including the ''Den-Ace'' short films, ...

* Exposed *

The Exterminator ''The Exterminator'' is a 1980 American vigilante action film written and directed by James Glickenhaus. It stars Robert Ginty as Vietnam War veteran John Eastland, also known as "The Exterminator". When a group of thugs paralyze his friend, Ea ...

Fantasm ''Fantasm'' is a 1976 Australian softcore pornographic film, directed by Richard Franklin under a pseudonym. It was followed by a sequel, '' Fantasm Comes Again'', the following year, directed by a pseudonymous Colin Eggleston. Plot German ps ...

Fantasm Comes Again ''Fantasm Comes Again'' is a 1977 Australian softcore pornographic film. It is the sequel to ''Fantasm'' (1976) and was the first feature directed by Colin Eggleston. Plot Journalist Libbie is taking over the "Dear Collette" sex advice column at ...

Frankenhooker ''Frankenhooker'' is a 1990 American black comedy horror film directed by Frank Henenlotter. Very loosely inspired by Mary Shelley's 1818 novel ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'', the film stars James Lorinz as medical school drop-out Je ...

* Frat House Massacre irector's Cut * God Has A Rap Sheet * The Grapes Of Death * Gurozuka *

Hands of the Ripper ''Hands of the Ripper'' is a 1971 British horror film, directed by Peter Sasdy for Hammer Film Productions. It was written by L. W. Davidson from a story by Edward Spencer Shew, and produced by Aida Young. The film was released in the U.S. as a ...

Home Sick ''Home Sick'' is a 2007 American horror film written by E. L. Katz and directed by Adam Wingard. The film had its world premiere at the 2007 Fantasia Festival. Plot A strange man crashes a party and asks each person to name the person they ha ...

Hot Dog…The Movie ''Hot Dog…The Movie'' is a teen sex comedy ski film released in January 1984. The film went on to gross over $17 million. Plot The film stars Patrick Houser as Harkin Banks, a young and ambitious freestyle skier from Idaho who is determined ...

(Unrated Producer's Cut) * The Image lu-ray* Intruder lu-ray/DVD Combo * Invasion U.S.A. (Atomic Special Edition) * Just Desserts: The Making of “Creepshow” pecial Edition Blu-ray * Karaoke Terror * Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural * Let Me Die a Woman ransgendered Edition * The Life and Death of a Porno Gang * Long Weekend * Lucker the Necrophagous irector's Cut* Madame O *

Maniac Cop ''Maniac Cop'' is a 1988 American action slasher film directed by William Lustig, written by Larry Cohen, and starring Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell, Laurene Landon, Richard Roundtree, William Smith, Robert Z'Dar, and Sheree North. Z'Dar plays th ...

* Manos: The Hands of Fate pecial Edition Blu-ray*

Morituris ''Morituris'' is a 2011 Italian horror film directed by Raffaele Picchio. The film had its world premiere on July 30, 2011, at Fantasia Festival. The film is inspired by the Circeo Massacre, in which three young men abducted, and then raped and t ...

: Legions of the Dead *

Mosquito Mosquitoes (or mosquitos) are members of a group of almost 3,600 species of small flies within the family Culicidae (from the Latin ''culex'' meaning " gnat"). The word "mosquito" (formed by ''mosca'' and diminutive ''-ito'') is Spanish for "li ...

: 20th Anniversary Edition * Night of Death * Night Train * Olga's Girls * Organ * Party 7 * Path of Blood * Patrick * Phenomena wo-Disc Blu-ray Edition * Popcorn lu-ray& (Collector's Edition Steelbook) * Prom Night *

Red Scorpion ''Red Scorpion'' is a 1988 American action film starring Dolph Lundgren and directed by Joseph Zito. Lundgren appears as a Soviet special forces operative sent to assassinate an anti-communist rebel leader in Africa, only to side with the rebe ...

* Reel Zombies * Resonnances * Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare * Rosarigasinos * The Rug Cop * Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf * Singapore Sling * Six Days In Roswell * Slaughter of the Innocents * Small Gauge Trauma Vol. 1 antasia Film Festival * Sorceress (Uncensored Director Approved Edition) *

South of Heaven ''South of Heaven'' is the fourth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on July 5, 1988 by Def Jam Recordings. The album was the band's second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin, whose production skills on their previo ...

* Stacy * Stalingrad 003 Mini-Series& lu-ray Remaster * Star Warp’d *

Stepfather 2 ''Stepfather II'' (also known as ''Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy'') is a 1989 American psychological thriller film directed by Jeff Burr and written by John Auerbach. It is a sequel to '' The Stepfather'' (1987) and stars Terry O'Quinn as ...

* Stillwater * Strange Behavior * Street Trash – Special Meltdown Edition, ingle Disc Version& wo-Disc Meltdown Edition * Suspiria * The Sweet Life * Syngenor *

Tenebrae Tenebrae (—Latin for "darkness") is a religious service of Western Christianity held during the three days preceding Easter Day, and characterized by gradual extinguishing of candles, and by a "strepitus" or "loud noise" taking place in total ...

(Single Disc) * The Violent Shit Collection – Five Film Special Shitition DVDs* Thirst *

* Thou Shalt Not Kill... Except *

Thundercrack! ''Thundercrack!'' is a 1975 Pornographic film, pornographic black comedy horror film written, edited, shot and directed by Curt McDowell, and written by George Kuchar based on a story by McDowell and Mark Ellinger. It stars Marion Eaton, Ken Scud ...

40th Anniversary -Disc Special Edition& ingle disc*

006 Remaster& lu-ray – 2K Remastered Edition *

Twins of Evil ''Twins of Evil'' (also known as ''Twins of Dracula'') is a 1971 British horror film directed by John Hough and starring Peter Cushing, with Damien Thomas and the real-life identical twins and former ''Playboy'' Playmates Mary and Madeleine ...

Undertaker A funeral director, also known as an undertaker (British English) or mortician (American English), is a professional involved in the business of funeral rites. These tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as ...

* Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary *

Vampire Circus ''Vampire Circus'' is a 1972 British horror film directed by Robert Young and starring Adrienne Corri, Thorley Walters and Anthony Higgins (billed as Anthony Corlan). It was written by Judson Kinberg, and produced by Wilbur Stark and Michael ...

Watch Me When I Kill ''Watch Me When I Kill'' ( it, Il gatto dagli occhi di giada/ ''The Cat with the Jade Eyes''), also known as ''The Cat's Victims'' in the UK, is a 1977 Italian giallo film co-written and directed by Antonio Bido. The American prints have an additi ...

* Wild Zero * The World Sinks Except Japan *

Worm Worms are many different distantly related bilateral animals that typically have a long cylindrical tube-like body, no limbs, and no eyes (though not always). Worms vary in size from microscopic to over in length for marine polychaete wo ...

Accolades

In 2016, film critic and author

Maitland McDonagh Maitland McDonagh () is an American film critic and the author of several books about cinema. She is the author of ''Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento'' (1991) and works of erotic fiction and erotic cinema, as well ...

was nominated for a

Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award, often called the Rondo Award, is an annual award founded in 2002 that honors journalism, scholarship and film preservation in the horror genre, particularly of classic horror film and their modern-day counterp ...

for Best Commentary for her work on Synapse Films' DVD release of Dario Argento's film ''

''.

References

{{reflist

External links

Official site
DVD companies of the United States Exploitation films Home video companies of the United States 1997 establishments in Michigan Entertainment companies established in 1997 Companies based in Wayne County, Michigan