Severin Films

[Orlac]

Sounds fantastic! Can't wait!

[dwk]

Danza Macabra Vol. Three: The Spanish Gothic Collection

Disc 1: NECROPHAGOUS (1971)
The most misunderstood Spanish gothic shocker of the early ‘70s can now be reassessed like never before: A young nobleman (Bill Curran) returns to his crumbling family castle, only to learn that his wife has died giving birth to their stillborn child. But why is her coffin empty? What follows is a uniquely told shocker of grief, lust, dark secrets and the hungers of the grave. Frank Braña (PIECES), Victor Israel (THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED) and Beatriz Elorrieta (BLOOD HUNT) co-star in this debut feature by writer/director Miguel Madrid (THE KILLER OF DOLLS) – also known as THE BUTCHER OF BINBROOK and released in America by Independent-International as GRAVEYARD OF HORROR – now scanned in 4K from the recently discovered negative for the first time ever.

Disc Specs:
Runtime: 87 mins
English Mono, Spanish Mono / Closed Captions
Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Andy Marshall-Roberts, Host Of The Nasty Pasty Podcast
Something You've Never Seen – Appreciation By Ángel Sala, Head Of Programming At The Sitges Film Festival
The First Horror Film Festival In The World – Remembrance By Maria Pilar Rafáles, Daughter Of Sitges Film Festival Founder Antonio Rafáles
Trailers

Disc 2: CAKE OF BLOOD (1971)
With Spanish cinema still under the oppressive Franco regime, four filmmakers banded together to create a horror anthology that examined classic themes through transgressive perceptions: Directed by José María Vallés, TAROT stars Julián Ugarte (ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK) in a grim tale of fanaticism set in the Middle Ages. Eusebio Poncela (THE CANNIBAL MAN) and Marisa Paredes (ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER) star in VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, a unique take on Mary Shelley’s classic directed by Emilio Martínez-Lázaro (THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED). TERROR AMONG CHRISTIANS, directed by Francesc Bellmunt, is a jolting vampire allegory set during Roman times. Jaime Chávarri – co-writer of VAMPYROS LESBOS and future icon of New Spanish Cinema – directs the twisted ghost story THE DANCE OR EMOTIONAL SURVIVALS starring Luis Ciges (THE CREATURE). Never available outside of Spain, CAKE OF BLOOD is now scanned in 4K from the original negative for the first time ever.

Disc Specs:
Runtime: 90 mins
Spanish Mono / English Subtitles
Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Rod Barnett Of NaschyCast And The Bloody Pit, And Dr. Adrian Smith, Co-Author Of Norman J. Warren: Gentleman of Terror
My Generation – Interview With Actress Marisa Paredes
I Just Wanted To Have Fun – Interview With Co-Director Jaime Chávarri
To Whoever Wants To Watch – Interview With Actor José Lifante
An Arthouse UFO – Appreciation By Ángel Sala, Head Of Programming At The Sitges Film Festival

Disc 3: CROSS OF THE DEVIL (1974)
In the early ‘70s, Spanish horror icon Jacinto Molina (aka Paul Naschy) wrote a screenplay for a Knights Templar film to compete with the popular BLIND DEAD series. Meanwhile, Hammer Films director John Gilling – whose hits for the UK studio included THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES and THE REPTILE – had retired to Spain. Molina shared his script with Gilling, who took over the project without Molina. The rarely seen result is a sumptuous tale of supernatural horror in which a writer (Ramiro Oliveros of THE PYJAMA GIRL CASE) plagued by violent nightmares investigates the murder of his sister by an ancient occult order. Carmen Sevilla (NO ONE HEARD THE SCREAM), Emma Cohen (THE CANNIBAL MAN) and Eduardo Fajardo (THE KILLER MUST KILL AGAIN) co-star in Gilling’s final film as director, now scanned in 4K from the negative with English subtitles for the first time ever.

Disc Specs:
Runtime: 97 mins
Spanish Mono / English Subtitles
Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Kim Newman, Author Of Anno Dracula, And Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir
Fascinated By Bécquer – Interview With Screenwriter Juan José Porto
The Real Templar Knights Movie – Appreciation By Ángel Sala, Head Of Programming At The Sitges Film Festival
Fantasy And Imagination: The Legacy Of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer – Video Essay By Xavier Aldana Reyes, Author Of Spanish Gothic: National Identity, Collaboration And Cultural Adaptation

Disc 4: THE NIGHT OF THE WALKING DEAD (1975)
Though best known for his collaborations with Spanish horror star Jacinto Molina/Paul Naschy, Argentinian director León Klimovsky also crafted several of Spain’s finest vampire films of the ‘70s, especially this “magnificent” (Taliesin Meets The Vampires) 1975 gothic classic: In a 19th century village ruled by superstition, a vulnerable young woman (Emma Cohen of HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB) is seduced into an aristocratic family of the sensuous undead. Carlos Ballesteros (José Ramón Larraz’ THE VOYEUR) and Barta Barri (THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE DARK) co-star in this sexy/stylish/violent shocker – also known as STRANGE LOVE OF THE VAMPIRES and ripe for rediscovery after decades of edited prints and bad transfers – now scanned in 2K from the negative for the first time ever.

Disc Specs:
Runtime: 88 mins
English Stereo, Spanish Stereo / Closed Captions, English Subtitles
Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Kat Ellinger, Author Of Daughters Of Darkness
A Deadly Invitation To Another Dimension – Appreciation By Ángel Sala, Head Of Programming At The Sitges Film Festival
Leo's Signature – Interview With Writer Juan José Porto
Dead Man Walking – Interview With Actor José Lifante
Spain's Cinematic Vampires – Video Essay By Xavier Aldana Reyes, Author Of Spanish Gothic: National Identity, Collaboration And Cultural Adaptation
Alternate Spanish Credit Sequence

[Peacock]

Severin are still selling their 4-disc UHD set of Four Flies On Grey Velvet by the way privately via email only if anyone (like me) felt like they missed out on it before.

Pretty sure there are legal issues related to the film having two rightsholders which mean this probably won’t get a public release anytime soon.

[dwk]

A recent print ad for Cannes shows Severin will be releasing Pieces and Slaughter High

[dwk]

Severin has started announcing their Summer Sale tites:
SEVERIN SUMMER SALE TITLE REVEAL #1

OPERA

THE NORTH AMERICAN UHD PREMIERE
5 DISC COLLECTION
INCLUDES 2 RESTORED VERSIONS
WITH 10 HOURS OF SPECIAL FEATURES
AND SOUNDTRACK CD

It’s been acclaimed by aficionados worldwide as “his biggest film” (Bloody Disgusting), “a breathtaking visual feast” (Daily Dead) and “up there with DEEP RED and SUSPIRIA” (DVD Drive-In). Now experience “Dario Argento’s last full-fledged masterpiece” (Slant Magazine) in The Director’s Cut and U.S. Theatrical Version, both in UHD: When a young opera singer (Cristina Marsillach, in her career-defining performance) is stalked by a masked psychopath, she will be forced into a grisly aria of murder, memories and unimaginable torment. Ian Charleson (CHARIOTS OF FIRE), Urbano Barberini (DEMONS), Antonella Vitale (THE CHURCH), Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni (MOTHER OF TEARS) and Daria Nicolodi (TENEBRE) co-star in this definitive presentation of “one of Argento’s best” (IndieWire) – co-written by Franco Ferrini (PHENOMENA) with cinematography by Oscar® winner Ronnie Taylor (GANDHI) and music by Brian Eno, Bill Wyman and Claudio Simonetti – newly scanned in 4K from the original camera negatives at Cinecittà with 10 hours ofSpecial Features, a soundtrack CD and more.

Special Features:

Disc 1: UHD (2.35:1 Director's Cut / U.S. Cut + Special Features)
• Audio Commentary With Actress Cristina Marsillach And Ángel Sala, Head Of Programming At The Sitges Film Festival (Director's Cut Only)
• Audio Commentary With Alan Jones, Author Of Profondo Argento, And Kim Newman, Author of Anno Dracula (Director's Cut Only)
• OPERA Trailer
• TERROR AT THE OPERA Trailer

Disc 2: Blu-ray (2.35:1 Director's Cut / U.S. Cut + Special Features)
• Audio Commentary With Actress Cristina Marsillach And Ángel Sala, Head Of Programming At The Sitges Film Festival (Director's Cut Only)
• Audio Commentary With Alan Jones, Author Of Profondo Argento, And Kim Newman, Author of Anno Dracula (Director's Cut Only)
• The Eyes And The Needles – Interview With Co-Writer/Director/Producer Dario Argento
• Arias Of Death – Interview With Screenwriter Franco Ferrini
• The Eyes Of OPERA – Interview With Actress Cristina Marsillach
• OPERA Trailer
• TERROR AT THE OPERA Trailer

Disc 3: Blu-ray (1.85:1 Director's Cut + Special Features)
• Audio Commentary With Actress Cristina Marsillach And Ángel Sala, Head Of Programming At The Sitges Film Festival
• Audio Commentary With Alan Jones, Author Of Profondo Argento, And Kim Newman, Author of Anno Dracula
• Don't Close Your Eyes – Interview With Film Historian Fabrizio Spurio
• The Opera And Mr. Jones – Interview With Alan Jones, Author Of Profondo Argento
• Terror At The Opera – Q&A With Dario Argento, Franco Ferrini And Lamberto Bava At Cinema Farnese (2006)

Disc 4: Blu-ray (Special Features)
• OPERA Runs In The Blood – Interview With Actress Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni
• To Catch A Killer – Interview With Actor Urbano Barberini
• In Any Language – Interview With Actress Antonella Vitale
• The Perfect Death – Interview With Actress Daria Nicolodi
• Blood Red Piano – Interview With Composer Claudio Simonetti
• The Eye Behind The Camera – Interview With Camera Operator Antonio Scaramuzza
• Flight Of The Crow – Interview With SFX Artist Sergio Stivaletti
• Blood And Latex – Interview With Make-Up Artist Franco Casagni
• The Gliding Camera – Interview With Steadicam Operator Nicola Pecorini
• 800 Sons – Interview With Press Agent Enrico Lucherini
• Preserving OPERA – Interview With 4K Color Correction Supervisor Karim Hussain
• OPERA Backstage – Behind-The-Scenes Video Created From Archival Footage

Disc 5: CD
• Soundtrack CD

*Exclusive Booklet By Claire Donner Of The Miskatonic Institute Of Horror Studies

Feature Specs for OPERA:

• Runtime Director's Cut: 107 mins / U.S. Cut: 96 mins
• Audio Director's Cut: English 5.1, English Stereo, Italian Stereo, Cannes English Mono / U.S. Cut: English 5.1, English Stereo
• Subtitles Director's Cut: English Subtitles, Closed Captions / U.S. Cut: Closed Captions
• Region UHD: Region Free / Blu-ray Discs 2 & 3: Region A / Blu-ray Disc 4: Region Free
• Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 (Director's Cut / U.S. Cut) / 1.85:1 (Director's Cut)

[Mr Sausage]

Why are there different aspect ratios?

[TechnicolorAcid]

Why are there different aspect ratios?

Found this reply on a Reddit post asking about the different version of Opera to watch:

Argento filmed Opera in an 'open matte', which is the 1.78:1 version, but the matte applied to the film for theatrical release (simply the 'black bars' top and bottom covering material Argento considered superfluous) is the wider 2.35: 1 version.

[domino harvey]

The Orion release was opened up in 1.85, it was intended to be 2.35 internationally and it’s obvious from framing when watching (I already have this as a three disc Blu-ray set from Scorpion, also with the different aspect ratios, and I didn’t think the set could possibly get that much bigger but here we are)

[dwk]

I don't think Orion ever actually released Opera.

I do hope that it has proper subtitles not just the SDHD subs minus the audio cues, as the voice over is third person in the Italian track (spoken by Argento himself) and first person in the English track (the Scorpion release screwed this up.)

[beamish14]

I don't think Orion ever actually released Opera.

I do hope that it has proper subtitles not just the SDHD subs minus the audio cues, as the voice over is third person in the Italian track (spoken by Argento himself) and first person in the English track (the Scorpion release screwed this up.)

Orion Classics released it in September 1991

[dwk]

Huh, was it the cut, 1.85 version?

[beamish14]

Huh, was it the cut, 1.85 version?

I wish I knew. It certainly wasn’t a title that would’ve been on my radar at the time

[_shadow_]

I'm really interested to see what Cristina Marsillach has to say! Until now we've really only heard other people characterizing her behavior on the film (negatively).

There's one shot where the 1.85 version's more generous vertical composition shows a character is definitely not as naked as the scene implies. This was not fully corrected in the 2.35 version on the Scorpion BD, but was corrected for the Cult Films BD release in the UK, and hopefully that will carry over here.

[MichaelB]

That reminds me of QCing Deadly Blessing for Arrow back in the day, where one of my most important jobs was to scrutinise the bathtub scene for even the tiniest hint that the actress in the bath had protected her lower modesty - which is apparently hilariously obvious in the open-matte VHS version.

And indeed of making a small cut to the commentary for one of Stanley Long's Adventures films in which he comments on a visible boom mic that isn't actually visible in the Indicator version because it was framed correctly. (I assume Long originally recorded it for a full-frame release or some such.)

[dwk]

SEVERIN SUMMER SALE TITLE REVEAL #2

SIMPLE LIKE SILVER

SUMMER SALE EXCLUSIVE

THE WORLDWIDE BLU-RAY PREMIERE

In her first feature film appearance in 25 years, Cristina Marsillach of OPERA fame “gives a quiet, radiant performance” (Pop Horror) in this “poetic and profound” (The Movie Sleuth) “must-see for fans of art-house cinema” (Film Threat): Having learned that she has a terminal illness, a woman (Marsillach) takes a final vacation only to discover a dreamlike triptych of fear, trauma and murder. Susanna Nelson and Hudson Sims co-star in “a feast for cinema lovers” (We Are Cult) written and directed by award winning independent filmmaker Damian K. Lahey (COCAINE ANGEL, THE HEROES OF ARVINE PLACE) with a haunting score by David Wingo (TAKE SHELTER, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL) that Morbidly Beautiful hails as “heartbreaking, dread inducing horror. An eerie and surreal film that marks the welcome return of Cristina Marsillach.”

Special Features:
• Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Damian K. Lehay
• Audio Commentary With Actress Cristina Marsillach
• Trailer
• Leaving Behind Bones And Ghosts – Essay By Film Critic Michelle Kisner

Feature Specs:
• Runtime: 70 mins.
• English And Spanish Stereo
• Forced English Subtitles on Spanish Audio, Closed Captions
• Region Free
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

[therewillbeblus]

I forget, are these "summer sale" titles website exclusives, or is it best to wait for them to become available on retailers?

[TechnicolorAcid]

I forget, are these "summer sale" titles website exclusives, or is it best to wait for them to become available on retailers?

Best to wait for retailers unless it’s some specific case like Four Flies on Grey Velvet where they specifically keep it publicly just during the sales.

[dwk]

Today's title is only available during the sale, but Opera will eventually be available at other retailers (but I assume, like Dellamorte Dellamore, the retail version will be pared down and drop the CD, and one or two of the three Blu-rays.)

[MichaelB]

I'm on tenterhooks waiting to see if the film whose commentary I submitted to Severin way back in October is finally going to get announced.

(It's Czech, but beyond that my lips are sealed. But hopefully not for too long.)

[dwk]

SEVERIN SUMMER SALE TITLE REVEAL #3

THE MUMMY AND THE CURSE OF THE JACKALS

THE WORLDWIDE DISC PREMIERE

PLUS BONUS SEXPLOITATION FEATURE

Experience the notorious 1969 horror epic that’s been barely seen since its fly-by-night VHS release while existing mostly via sordid rumors for more than 50 years: Anthony Eisley (THE NAKED KISS, DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN) stars in this brain-melting mash-up of dubious Egyptology, risible werewolf transformations, H.G. Lewis-level gore, cut-rate psychedelia and an oven-mitted mummy on a Las Vegas rampage, all set to a swinging soundtrack of lounge and surf instrumentals. The legendary John Carradine (THE GRAPES OF WRATH, HORROR OF THE BLOOD MONSTERS) earns a day’s pay in this “truly incredible masterpiece of bad cinema” (Harbinger) written and produced by William Edwards (DRACULA THE DIRTY OLD MAN), directed by Oliver Drake (THE MUMMY’S CURSE) and scanned in 4K from the original negative discovered at Ewing ‘Lucky’ Brown’s Los Angeles estate sale, now with over 2 hours of Special Features that include the thought-lost Vega International adult feature ANGELICA, THE YOUNG VIXEN scanned from the sole surviving print.

Special Features:
• The Vega International Story – Interview With Stephen Thrower, Author Of Nightmare USA
• Cowboys, Mummies And Oliver Drake – Interview With Film Historian C. Courtney Joyner
• Investing In The Jackal – Interview With Garry Gassel, Son Of Investors Milton R. Gassel And Judi Gassel
• ANGELICA, THE YOUNG VIXEN (61 mins) – 1974 Vega International Adult Film
• Audio Commentary For ANGELICA, THE YOUNG VIXEN With Vinegar Syndrome's Joe Rubin And Exploitation Film Researcher Shawn Langrick

Feature Specs:
• Runtime: 81 mins.
• English Mono
• Closed Captions
• Region Free
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1

[Orlac]

MUMMY AND THE CURSE OF THE JACKALS has long been on my wish-list. From all accounts, its terrible!

[dwk]

SEVERIN SUMMER SALE TITLE REVEAL #4

THE RED LIGHT BANDIT

THE WORLDWIDE BLU-RAY PREMIERE

The centerpiece of the radical underground Cinema Marginal movement, this “electric, legendary movie” (Slant Magazine) written and directed by 21-year-old Rogério Sganzerla defiantly attacked Brazil’s sociopolitical morals, gleefully subverted the rules of narrative cinema and has lost none of its power to shock, disturb and delight: Based on police reports of the real-life bandit who terrorized ‘60s São Paulo, a charismatic crook (Paulo Villaça) robs the rich, taunts law enforcement and becomes a public hero in an anarchic odyssey that’s equal parts crime thriller, urban western, grindhouse roughie, twisted comedy, cultural grenade and still unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Helena Ignez (José Mojica Marins’ EMBODIMENT OF EVIL) co-stars in this “hallucinatory and amazing manifesto” (Next Projection) now scanned in 2K from the original camera negative.

Special Features:
• Cinema Marginal – Interview With Producer And Film Conservationist Paulo Sacramento
• The Anti-Muse – Interview With Actress Helena Ignez
• Trailer

Short Films:
• COMICS By Rogério Sganzerla
• Introduction To HORROR PALACE HOTEL By Filmmaker Dennison Ramalho
• HORROR PALACE HOTEL By Jairo Ferreira

Feature Specs:
• Runtime: 92 mins.
• Audio: Portuguese Mono
• Subtitles: English Subtitles
• Region: Region Free
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

[Glowingwabbit]

SEVERIN SUMMER SALE TITLE REVEAL #4

THE RED LIGHT BANDIT

Beyond excited to get another title from the Brazillian Marginal Cinema movement especially from one of it's leading directors, Rogério Sganzerla. This one is definitely more accessible than his later work.

[What A Disgrace]

I wonder if Mawu Films has this title in the UK? Not that I'm too eager to wait.

[dwk]

Shudder/IFC Films Ink Distribution Deal With Severin Films. Odd bit of news since both Shudder and IFC are OCN partner labels.