Forget the Easter eggs, April 2017 is all about Arrow Video, with a host of deliciously twisted releases for horror and cult film fans.
The headline release for April is Phantasm 1-5 on Limited Edition Dual Format. This gorgeous collection brings together all of the films in the Phantasm saga – including the most recent Phantasm: Ravager – a rarity in horror franchises in that the original cast, including Angus Scrimm, A. Michael Baldwin and Reggie Bannister return again and again. Created by Don Coscarelli, who wrote, directed and produced across the series, the films follow Mike and Reggie in their seemingly endless battle with supernatural undertaker, the Tall Man. This special Arrow Video release is packed with special “pheatures” and is a must-have for an Phantasm fan.
The horror doesn’t stop there though, with some classic cult horrors due for release throughout the month.. Italian creature feature, Caltiki the Immortal Monster is a collaboration between Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava that shows off the two great filmmakers at their most innovative as they tackle the sci-fi chiller. Also from Italy are The Night Evelyn Came From the Grave and The Red Queen Kills Seven Times, two giallo chillers from director Emilio P. Miraglia. Miraglian blends the grisly whodunnit of the giallo with gothic and supernatural elements to create some truly unique chills in tales of revenge from beyond the grave and killer curses.
Wolf Guy, meanwhile, sees Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba star as a lycanthropic detective who uses his wolfish powers to solve crimes. One of the rarest and most sought after films from Japan’s Toei Studio, Wolf Guy is pure 1970s with violence, action, nudity, and a psychedelic score.
At the other end of the spectrum, City of the Dead is what happens when horror icon Christopher Lee joins Amicus-founders Milton Subotsky and Max Rosenberg to serve a slice of American Gothic. Atmospheric, beautiful and creepy as hell.
Arrow Video has one last surprise in store for April, with something a little bit different. Catfight stars Anne Heche and Sandra Oh (with brilliant supporting roles from Alicia Silverstone and Dylan Baker) as former college friends who meet up again years later. At first it’s just thinly-veiled barbs, but it soon progresses into an all-out brawl that challenges the portrayal of female fights on film while delivering some killer satire.
As always, Arrow Video’s April releases come complete with a host of new and archival special features as well as gorgeous digital transfers.
Caltiki the Immortal Monster – on Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD on 10 April 2017
Presented in a stunning Dual Format edition, this UK release of Caltiki the Immortal Monster features a host of special features to keep even the most ardent cult film fan happy. With new audio commentaries, new discussion and archival interviews, this is the definitive release.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original mono Italian and English soundtracks (lossless on the Blu-ray Disc)
Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
New audio commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark
New audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of The Haunted World of Mario Bava and So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films
From Quatermass to Caltiki, a new discussion with author and critic Kim Newman on the influence of classic monster movies on Caltiki
Riccardo Freda, Forgotten Master, an archival interview with critic Stefano Della Casa
The Genesis of Caltiki, an archival interview with filmmaker Luigi Cozzi
Archival introduction to the film by Stefano Della Casa
Alternate opening titles for the US version
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
The Night Evelyn Came From the Grave – on DVD and Blu-ray on 17 April 2017
One of Emilio P. Miraglia’s supernatural, gothic gialli, The Night Evelyn Came Home delivers classic suspense with ghostly chills and creeping atmosphere, released in a stunning new 2K restoration from the original camera negative.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original mono Italian and English soundtracks (lossless DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray Disc)
Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
New audio commentary by Troy Howarth
Exclusive introduction by Erika Blanc
New interview with critic Stephen Thrower
The Night Erika Came Out of the Grave – exclusive interview with Erika Blanc
The Whip and the Body – archival interview with Erika Blanc
Still Rising from the Grave – archival interview with production designer Lorenzo Baraldi
Original Italian theatrical trailer
Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
The Red Queen Kills Seven Times – on DVD and Blu-ray on 17 April 2017
The Red Queen Kills Seven Times is Emilio P. Miraglia’s other twist on the giallo. The new 2K restoration from the original camera negative shows off this bloodthirsty whodunnit in all it’s glory.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original mono Italian and English soundtracks (lossless DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray Disc)
Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
New audio commentary by Alan Jones and Kim Newman
Exclusive interview with actress Sybil Danning
New interview with critic Stephen Thrower
Archival introduction by production/costume designer Lorenzo Baraldi
Dead à Porter – archival interview with Lorenzo Baraldi
Rounding Up the Usual Suspects – archival interview with actor Marino Masé
If I Met Emilio Miraglia Today – archival featurette with Erika Blanc, Lorenzo Baraldi and Marino Masé
My Favourite… Films – archival interview with actress Barbara Bouchet
Alternative opening
Original Italian and English theatrical trailers
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
Wolf Guy – on Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD on 24 April 2017
You don’t get more 70s than Wolf Guy, one of the rarest films from Japan’s Toei Studio. This barmy mix of action, horror and sci-fi sees Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba star as a crime-fighting werewolf who stumbles upon an evil conspiracy to steal his lycanthropic powers.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
High Definition digital transfer
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original uncompressed mono audio
New optional English subtitle translation
New video interview with actor Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba
New video interview with director Kazuhiko Yamaguchi
New video interview with producer Tatsu Yoshida
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Wes Benscoter
City of the Dead – on Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD on 24 April 2017
This Dual Format release of the Christopher Lee classic presents a new 4K digital restoration created by the Cohen Film Collection and the BFI. City of the Dead sees Lee take on the American Gothic in a tale of devil worship and the occult.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
New 4K digital restoration by the Cohen Film Collection and the BFI
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations of two versions of the film: The City of the Dead and the alternative US cut, Horror Hotel
Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM Audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio commentary by film critic Jonathan Rigby, author of English Gothic: Classic Horror Cinema 1897-2015 and Christopher Lee: An Authorised Screen History, recorded exclusively for this release
Trailer
Catfight – on Blu-ray on 24 April 2017
Catfight really pushes the boundaries of woman-on-woman violence in film. With it’s brutal fight scenes and scathing wit, it delivers some truly delicious satire on modern society. This Arrow Video release comes with a host of special features and reversible sleeve with newly commissioned artwork by The Red Dress.
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Optional subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Commentary with writer-editor-director Onur Tukel
Commentary with actors Sandra Oh and Anne Heche
Fight Choreography featurette
Deleted Scenes
Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by The Red Dress
Phantasm 1-5 – on Limited Edition Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD on 24 April 2017
A real treat from Arrow Video, this Limited Edition Dual Format box set puts together the five Phantasm films, starring the late, great Angus Scrimm as the Tall Man – a supernatural mortician who can reanimate the dead into pint-sized zombies. A true cult classic of a franchise.
Few horror movie franchises are as iconic as Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm series. From its deadly flying silver spheres through to its hooded dwarf minions, and of course, the towering figure of arch villain The Tall Man himself, the imagery conjured up by the Phantasm films remains etched in the psyche of genre fans everywhere.
Beginning with the 1979 original through to 2016’s Phantasm: Ravager, the five films which make up the Phantasm series follow the young Mike Baldwin as he battles against the enigmatic “Tall Man” – an extraterrestrial being intent on harvesting the human race as slaves for his home planet. Aided by friend Reggie and his trusty four-barrelled shotgun, Mike resolves to vanquish the Tall Man before he wipes out humanity altogether.
Brought together for the first time on Blu-ray – including a stunning new 4K restoration of the original Phantasm overseen by J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Trek Into Darkness) – the Phantasm series is back with added balls!
LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL PHEATURES
All 5 Phantasm movies together on Blu-ray for the first time!
Limited Edition Bonus Disc featuring Exclusive Pheatures
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for all films
Exclusive 152-page book with new writing on the Phantasm universe from Kim Newman and Bill Ackerman alongside a wealth of archive material, all fully illustrated with original stills and posters
Replica Phantasm Sphere
Limited Edition Packaging with newly-commissioned artwork from Gary Pullin
PHANTASM (1979 – 2016 REMASTERED)
Phantasm: Remastered 2016 Theatrical Version
Original Theatrical Mono or Remastered 5.1 Surround Options
Phantasm: Remastered 2016 Los Angeles Premiere Audience Track – Join the audience of die-hard fans as they experience the restored classic for the first time!
Archive audio commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors A. Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury and Angus Scrimm
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm – brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm, including new interviews with cast and crew
Behind-the-Scenes footage with commentary by Don Coscarelli and Reggie Bannister
1979 TV interview with Don Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm
Deleted Scenes (6)
Original Trailer
TV Spots
Radio Spots (5)
Stills Gallery
PHANTASM II (1988)
Original Theatrical Stereo
Audio commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors Angus Scrimm and Reggie Bannister
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm II – brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm II, including new interviews with cast and crew
Angus Scrimm 1989 Convention Appearance
Fangoria TV Spot
Original Trailer
TV Spots
Stills Gallery
PHANTASM III: LORD OF THE DEAD (1994)
Original Theatrical Stereo or 5.1 Surround Options
Audio commentary with actors A. Michael Baldwin and Angus Scrimm
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm III – brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm III, including new interviews with cast and crew
Original Trailer
Stills Gallery
PHANTASM IV: OBLIVION (1998)
Original Theatrical Stereo or 5.1 Surround Options
Audio commentary with director/writer Don Coscarelli and actors Angus Scrimm and Reggie Bannister
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm IV – brand new pheaturette looking back at the making of Phantasm IV, including new interviews with cast and crew
Original Trailer
Stills Gallery
PHANTASM: RAVAGER (2016)
2.0 Stereo and 5.1 Surround Options
Phantasm: Ravager 2016 Los Angeles Premiere Audience Track – Join the audience of die-hard fans as they experience Ravager for the first time!
Audio commentary with director David Hartman and writer/producer Don Coscarelli
Reflections of Fear: Realising Phantasm: Ravager – brand new pheaturette looking at the making of Ravager, including new interviews with cast and crew
Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by David Hartman and Don Coscarelli
Phuntasm – Bloopers and Outtakes
Phantasm and You – a light-hearted recap of the Phantasm franchise directed by David Hartman
Original Trailer
BONUS DISC
Phantasmagoria – pheature-length documentary covering the original Phantasm through to Phantasm IV: Oblivion, including interviews with key cast and crew members
Phantasmagorical Tour – actor Reggie Bannister hosts a tour of some of the key filming locations from Phantasm