The year is now 2019 it has been fifteen years since the world was devastated by a nuclear war. Those who have survived the nuclear holocaust are now being hunted by gang of assassins named the Templars who’s only goal is the extinction of mankind. The survival of mankind is placed in the hope that the distant radio signals these groups of nomads have been receiving. Is the human race on its last legs or is their human life waiting on the other end of these mysterious radio signals?

Video:

Vipco’s release like most of their releases lack solid colors and the detail is so soft at times it looks like this DVD was sourced from a VHS. The source material used is virtually free of any print damage and grain is kept to a minimum. Shriek Show’s release is a revelation when compared to Vipco’s release. It offers a vivid color palette and solid black levels through out. The clarity in this transfer is amazing as details and colors that had been obscured in previous releases now come to life. Both releases offer a widescreen presentation of the film that retains the films original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Unfortunately Vipco’s non-anamorphic transfer shows even more of its flaws when compared to Shriek Show’s release which was obviously sourced from better materials and it sports an anamorphic enhancement.

Audio:

Vipco’s release comes with one audio option an English dubbed Dolby Digital stereo track. The mix is satisfactory for the most part event the actions scenes could have had a little bit more bass action. Shriek Show’s release with one audio option an English dubbed Dolby Digital mono track. When compared to Vipco’s release the differences are minimal. Shriek Show release does offer a deeper bass tone that adds to the action scenes. Their release also takes advantage of the front channels better offer a better overall sound field.

Extras:

Vipco’s release includes the following extras a still gallery, filmographies for the cast and crew and trailers for four films also released by Vipco. Compared to Vipco’s release Shriek Show’s is fully loaded including the following extras the films original trailer (Which is oddly missing from Vipco’s DVD), an interview with Fred Williamson and the best extra of the lot an audio commentary with director Enzio G. Castellari. Rounding out the extras are trailers for four films also released by Shriek Show.

Overall:

Overall it isn’t even close as Shriek Show’s the New Barbarians DVD is vastly superior to Vipco’s DVD. If you haven’t seen this post nuke classic Shriek Show’s DVD is a wonderful introduction to this film and those who already own Vipco’s DVD use it as coaster while you watch Shriek Show’s the New Barbarians DVD.