‘JUST BEFORE DAWN’ 4K Restoration Announced by Synapse Films Following Copyright Verdict
‘JUST BEFORE DAWN’ 4K Restoration Moves Forward With Synapse Films Following Copyright Verdict
Redoak Communications has announced that Synapse Films will undertake a new 4K restoration of the 1981 cult slasher JUST BEFORE DAWN following a federal jury verdict in its copyright infringement case against David DeFalco of Dark Force Entertainment. The restoration will use original 35mm archival materials, including a recently discovered internegative, with a release targeted for 2027.
The announcement comes one day after HMU reported on the legal dispute involving producer Vlado P. Hreljanovic, whose company, Redoak Communications, maintained that it retained ownership of the film despite years of contested distribution arrangements.
In a new statement, Hreljanovic, president of Redoak Communications and executive producer of JUST BEFORE DAWN, described the verdict as confirmation of the company's copyright ownership and an opportunity to proceed with a restoration that had been delayed during the litigation.
“We are thrilled to finally put an end to years of contested ownership and deliver complete legal clarity for this legendary film,” Hreljanovic said. “With the Federal court's decision, we can finally give this 4K release the archival treatment it has deserved for decades and there’s no better company for this task than Synapse Films.”
The dispute originated from a six-year distribution agreement granted to Code Red DVD founder Bill Olsen in 2012. That agreement expired in 2018 and was not renewed. DeFalco subsequently maintained that Olsen had authorized him to license the film to Shudder, an arrangement Hreljanovic challenged on the grounds that Olsen no longer held the necessary distribution rights.
Following approximately four years of litigation, a federal jury in West Palm Beach, Florida, found DeFalco liable for copyright infringement and awarded Redoak $46,000 in statutory damages, according to the previously reported verdict.
Redoak's November statement identifies October 19, 2026, as the date of the jury decision, while earlier reporting placed the verdict on October 20. The company's announcement also characterizes the outcome as establishing its sole copyright ownership. DeFalco previously indicated that he intended to seek a new trial, and the statement does not provide an update on any subsequent legal filings.
The restoration announcement provides the first specific details about the film's planned return to physical media. Synapse Films, a boutique label specializing in cult and genre cinema, has been selected to work from the surviving 35mm elements, with the newly discovered internegative potentially offering an important source for the restoration.
Redoak says Synapse has been instructed to begin the restoration process, although no technical specifications for the eventual release, supplemental features or retail availability have been announced.
Originally released in 1981, JUST BEFORE DAWN follows a group of young campers traveling into the remote Oregon mountains, where their wilderness excursion becomes a fight for survival. The film, which stars George Kennedy, has developed a following among slasher enthusiasts for its isolated setting, cinematography and suspense-driven approach to backwoods horror.
The planned restoration represents a significant development for collectors who have followed the film's complicated home-video history. While the earlier copyright dispute centered on licensing and distribution authority, the latest announcement shifts attention toward preserving the film and preparing a new edition for audiences.
Redoak Communications is targeting a 2027 release for the restored version of JUST BEFORE DAWN through Synapse Films. An exact release date, edition details and pricing have not yet been confirmed.
Comments