Fans of Mystery Science Theater: 3000 will almost unanimously vote the 4th season episode: “Manos: The Hands of Fate“ in their personal top 10 list of favorites, if not top 5. The movie itself has a reputation for being one of the absolute worst ever made. This is pretty accurate, but because of its notoriety and the popularity of the MST3k episode, most geeks worth their salt at least know of it. Well, this week the Rifftrax crew, one set of spiritual successors to MST3k (the other being Cinematic Titanic) teased on twitter that they’re going to be re-riffing the film.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DjorW-QtQk
That bewitching tune is of course the haunting Torgo Theme, representing the satyr/manservant of the film’s “villain”. Now, while it’s easy to be skeptical of the Rifftrax crew going “back to the well” and all that. I would hope that the talents involved would deliberately try to avoid making the same jokes. While Michael J. Nelson didn’t personally riff the original episode, he was head writer, so I’ve got my fingers crossed for some nostalgic laughs that avoid retread.
The problem is, the way Rifftrax releases their wares is in the form of a Mp3 commentary track to be played alongside the movie. While this format works, most copies of Manos that are out there are the MST3K version! Aside from making a rush to Amazon to get the ‘virgin’ edition, one of the best ways you can get it is the upcoming HD remaster thanks to the Manos Restoration Project. Originally a kickstarter, the MRP not only got all of the required funding, but nearly 500% of the initial goal! Perusing the site itself is a revelation. While putting Manos in HD won’t make the film a masterpiece, it will still be the best looking the film has ever been, up to and including the original premiere! I urge anyone who plans on getting the Rifftrax anyway to pick up Manos HD on Blu-Ray when it’s available.