Part of the Arrow Film sale, most of the blu-rays are £7.99 but have some for £4.99. This one in particular is £2.99. Good price for those who don't have it.
Format: Blu-ray
Starring: Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, Jane Fonda, Terence Stamp
Directed by: Federico Fellini, Louis Malle, Roger Vadim
Synopsis: Federico Fellini, Louis Malle and Roger Vadim adapt works by macabre author Edgar Allan Poe in the anthology film Spirits of the Dead [Histoires extraordinaires]. Dealing with tormented characters experiencing a personal hell, filled with angst and delirium, Spirits of the Dead was a ground-breaking departure for the adaption of Poe in cinema.
Vadim directs Jane Fonda as Countess Metzengerstein, a debauched heiress leading a life Caligula would commend. The Countess becomes tormented by the denial of her incestuous desire for her cousin Baron Berlifitzing (fittingly played by her brother Peter Fonda). Malle directs Alain Delon as William Wilson, an Austrian Solider who is haunted by his doppelgänger, tormenting him at times in his life where he is at his most cruel and sadistic. Fellini’s famed segment sees Terence Stamp as a Toby Dammit, an actor arriving in Rome to meet the producers of his new film, the first Catholic Western. Drugged and drunk, Dammit is disturbed by the haunting image of the devil, which like Mario Bava’s Kill, Baby... Kill! and Bunuel’s Simon of the Desert, is actually a young girl, ominously bouncing a ball.
Spirits of the Dead is presented in a brand new transfer from a new High Definition restoration of the original film negative. Reinstating Terence Stamp’s superb performance with his original English audio as well as alternate English audio options for Metzengerstein and William Wilson.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Brand new transfer of Spirits of the Dead from a new HD restoration of the original negative
Alternative English audio for Metzengerstein and William Wilson, multi-lingual English and Italian audio for Toby Dammit as well the French dubbed version
Brand new English subtitle translation on all versions
Features rare Vincent Price voice over narration used for the US theatrical version
Booklet featuring ‘Spirits of the Dead Revisited’ essay by critic and author Tim Lucas, ‘Literature and Cinema’ essay by scholar and author Peter Bondanella on Toby Dammit illustrated with original lobby cards and posters
This is a cut above most of the Arrow stuff trust me. Its not silly gory horror nonsense if that's what you're after!
If you like arty 60s films just buy it. If you love Terence Stamp just buy it. Its worth the price just for Fellini's Toby Dammit - fantastic stuff!
velocirapta
17 Dec 15#5
Also, if anyone hasn't already got My Darling Clementine they very much should consider it. Jam-packed release and down to £12.99 - over £10 off the RRP. I paid £20-ish for mine so you'd be getting a bargain! My favourite Arrow release this year.
hitmaniacwtr
17 Dec 15#4
Great stuff, thanks for posting.
On a side note; I know there's another edition on the way, but, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Special Edition at 9.99 is a steal too.
velocirapta
17 Dec 15#3
Wasn't that interested in this at £5+ but at £2.99 plus double points I couldn't really say no - ordered it yesterday, but no dispatch yet. Worth it just to see Fellini and Malle's segments in particular, that cast, the booklet, and the fact it's a good transfer.
Heat.
wiggywig
17 Dec 15#2
I dont know the film, but thats an absolute bargain for any Arrow release. They always go for atleast a fiver normally.
Opening post
Format: Blu-ray
Starring: Brigitte Bardot, Alain Delon, Jane Fonda, Terence Stamp
Directed by: Federico Fellini, Louis Malle, Roger Vadim
Synopsis: Federico Fellini, Louis Malle and Roger Vadim adapt works by macabre author Edgar Allan Poe in the anthology film Spirits of the Dead [Histoires extraordinaires]. Dealing with tormented characters experiencing a personal hell, filled with angst and delirium, Spirits of the Dead was a ground-breaking departure for the adaption of Poe in cinema.
Vadim directs Jane Fonda as Countess Metzengerstein, a debauched heiress leading a life Caligula would commend. The Countess becomes tormented by the denial of her incestuous desire for her cousin Baron Berlifitzing (fittingly played by her brother Peter Fonda). Malle directs Alain Delon as William Wilson, an Austrian Solider who is haunted by his doppelgänger, tormenting him at times in his life where he is at his most cruel and sadistic. Fellini’s famed segment sees Terence Stamp as a Toby Dammit, an actor arriving in Rome to meet the producers of his new film, the first Catholic Western. Drugged and drunk, Dammit is disturbed by the haunting image of the devil, which like Mario Bava’s Kill, Baby... Kill! and Bunuel’s Simon of the Desert, is actually a young girl, ominously bouncing a ball.
Spirits of the Dead is presented in a brand new transfer from a new High Definition restoration of the original film negative. Reinstating Terence Stamp’s superb performance with his original English audio as well as alternate English audio options for Metzengerstein and William Wilson.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Brand new transfer of Spirits of the Dead from a new HD restoration of the original negative
Alternative English audio for Metzengerstein and William Wilson, multi-lingual English and Italian audio for Toby Dammit as well the French dubbed version
Brand new English subtitle translation on all versions
Features rare Vincent Price voice over narration used for the US theatrical version
Booklet featuring ‘Spirits of the Dead Revisited’ essay by critic and author Tim Lucas, ‘Literature and Cinema’ essay by scholar and author Peter Bondanella on Toby Dammit illustrated with original lobby cards and posters
RRP: £22.99 £16.99
Region: ABC
Rating: 18
Cat No: FCD436
Duration: 116 mins
Language: English/French/Italian
Subtitles: English (Optional)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: 1.0 Mono
Colour: Colour
6 comments
If you like arty 60s films just buy it. If you love Terence Stamp just buy it. Its worth the price just for Fellini's Toby Dammit - fantastic stuff!
On a side note; I know there's another edition on the way, but, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Special Edition at 9.99 is a steal too.
Heat.