Welcome to New to the Wall, where we crack open the latest boutique releases to see what’s lurking inside. Today’s subject? Terror Vision’s glorious 4K release of Rumpelstiltskin (1995) — a movie that somehow exists in the strange middle ground between fairy tale horror, campy creature feature, and straight-up mid-90s chaos.
First things first: if you’re expecting something resembling the classic Grimm Brothers story, think again. This is the 90s, my friend, and subtlety was left on the cutting room floor. Directed by Mark Jones (*yes, the guy who brought us Leprechaun), this movie trades in medieval folklore for a full-blown monster romp. Imagine Leprechaun but with more medieval growling, questionable one-liners, and the unstoppable power of a baby-carrying plot device.
The basic premise? After being imprisoned in a mystical stone, Rumpelstiltskin (played with scene-chewing brilliance by Max Grodénchik) is accidentally unleashed into 1995 Los Angeles. Naturally, he immediately embarks on a quest to steal a baby, all while delivering threats that sound like they were ripped straight from a low-rent D&D campaign. It’s absurd. It’s ridiculous. And somehow, it’s absolutely delightful.
The packaging alone makes this worthy of inclusion on your shelf, but the 4K restoration is where Terror Vision really flexes. For a movie that probably spent most of its life on fuzzy VHS rentals and dubious late-night cable airings, this 4K restoration is a revelation. The colors pop in a way they probably never have before. From Rumpelstiltskin’s grotesque, rubbery visage to the wild 90s fashion choices (so much denim), every detail is crisper than it has any right to be. And the night scenes? Surprisingly well-handled. The darkness has depth without losing clarity, which is essential when you’re watching a 400-year-old goblin terrorize suburban moms.
The grain retention is also impressive. It’s not overly polished, maintaining that essential 90s grit that makes movies like this feel authentic. If you have fond memories of tracking lines dancing across your old VHS tapes, this release still retains that grimy charm—but now you can actually see what’s going on.
Dialogue comes through cleanly, which is crucial given how much of Rumpelstiltskin’s charm comes from his bizarre one-liners. There’s a noticeable improvement in the depth of the soundscape, particularly in the more action-heavy sequences. Explosions, crashes, and maniacal cackling all get their moment to shine.
That said, the score remains delightfully over-the-top. Charles Bernstein (of A Nightmare on Elm Street fame) delivers a soundtrack that veers from whimsical to sinister with whiplash-inducing speed. And yes, the sound effects lean into the wonderfully excessive cartoonishness that defined mid-90s horror.
If you’re the type of collector who lives for extras, Terror Vision absolutely delivers. The disc is packed with bonus content that proves the people behind this release understood exactly what kind of movie they were working with. Some highlights include:
- Commentary w/ Writer & Director Mark Jones and Producer Michael Prescott
- Making of w/ Mark Jones, Max Grodenchik, Kim Ulrich, Tommy Blaze, Michael Prescott (Producer), Charles Bernstein (Composer), Ivo Cristane (Production Designer), and Lisa Buono (Key Makeup Artist) (30min)
- Remembering Rumple (27min)
- Never Before Seen BTS Raw Home Movie Footage (Shot on VHS) from the set on Rumpelstiltskin (1h28m)
- Baking w/ Kaci Hansen, The Homicidal Homemaker: Rumpelstiltskin Edition
- Still Gallery (17min)
- Trailer
And the cherry on top? A CD of the score. Because sometimes you just need to blast the villainous theme of a goblin maniac while driving to the grocery store. Physical media collectors, rejoice.
Look, no one is arguing that Rumpelstiltskin is some underappreciated horror masterpiece. But what it is, without question, is a wildly entertaining time capsule of mid-90s horror absurdity. Terror Vision’s 4K release treats it with exactly the kind of reverence it deserves—restoring it to a level of visual and audio quality it has likely never experienced before.
For horror collectors, this release is a dream. Between the lovingly restored visuals, the comprehensive extras, and the pure novelty of owning a boutique-label edition of Rumpelstiltskin, it’s the kind of addition that makes the ever-growing shelf of questionable purchases feel worth it.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Rumpelstiltskin’s Who Already Know How to Drive. Because sometimes cinema is art.
