Black Sunday and Lisa and the Devil Officially Announced
Posted January 7, 2013 06:07 AM by Webmaster
British distributors Arrow Video have officially announced and detailed their upcoming Blu-ray releases of Mario Bava's classic horror films Black Sunday (1960) and Lisa and the Devil / The House of Exorcism (1974). The two releases will be available for purchase on January 28th.
Black Sunday
Legendary Scream Queen Barbara Steele (Shivers, Caged Heat) stars in this classic slice of gothic terror... A beautiful witch is sentenced to death for her evil deeds by her own brother, condemned to die by having a metal mask hammered onto her face, before being burnt at the stake. As she passes and the spikes of the death mask pierce her flesh, she puts a terrible curse on all her future descendants...But, when two unwitting travellers discover her final resting place and worse, drip blood on her resting corpse, they unleash her once again in all her stunningly beautiful, terrifying glory... Banned in the UK on its release, Black Sunday is a groundbreaking film that opened the door for Spaghetti horror in all its gory glory.
In addition to the original European version of the film, the deluxe edition release
of Black Sunday features the worldwide debut of the American version. This alternate version of the film, by American International Pictures, has never been available before, anywhere in the world. Also included in the set is I Vampiri, the very first sound-era Italian horror film, by Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava. Freda wagered he could finish the film in 12 days but stormed off the set after 10, leaving cameraman Bava to finesse the story, finish shooting and complete the film within the remaining two days.
Special Features:
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of two versions of the film; The Mask of Satan – the European version with score by Roberto Nicolosi & Black Sunday – the re-edited and re-dubbed AIP version with Les Baxter score, on home video for the first time anywhere in the world
Three audio versions: Optional Italian, European English and AIP English re-dub and re-score
English SDH subtitles for both English versions and a new English subtitle translation of the Italian audio
Audio Commentary with Bava biographer and expert Tim Lucas
Introduction to the film by author and critic Alan Jones
Interview with Black Sunday star and horror icon Barbara Steele
Deleted Scene from the Italian version with notes by Tim Lucas
International Trailer
US Trailer
Italian Trailer
TV Spot
I Vampiri (1956) – Italy's first ever sound-era horror film directed by Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava
US I Vampiri Trailer – 'The Devil's Commandment'
Trailer reel – trailers of all the major works by Mario Bava
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the films by Matt Bailey and Alan Jones, as well as a statement by Riccardo Freda on I vampiri and Bava, translated from the original Italian for the first time, illustrated with original archive stills and posters
Lisa and the Devil
Lisa (Elke Sommer) - an American tourist travelling in Spain - loses her tour party and seeks refuge in the tumbledown mansion of a blind countess after being guided there by the distinctly satanic butler of the house, Leandro (Telly Savalas, Horror Express, Kojak). The Son of the Countess notices Lisa's striking resemblance to his dead lover, and pursues her as a night of murder, strange eroticism and dark hallucinations begins. Re-cut in the US to cash in on the popularity of William Friedkin's The Exorcist and released as The House of Exorcism (included in this special edition) the original Lisa and the Devil is Bava at his abstract and delirious best, delivering a 70s horror classic and a masterclass in cinema as feverish nightmare.
Special Features:
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of both versions of the film: Lisa and the Devil and The House of Exorcism producer's cut
Optional English and Italian audio on Lisa and the Devil
English SDH subtitles on both features and a new English subtitle translation of the Italian Audio of Lisa and The Devil
Audio Commentary on Lisa and The Devil by Bava biographer and expert Tim Lucas
Audio Commentary on The House of Exorcism by producer Alfredo Leone and star Elke Sommer
Introductions to both films by author and critic Alan Jones
The Exorcism of Lisa – Assistant Director Lamberto Bava, screenwriter Roberto Natale, Roy Bava and Alberto Pezzotta discuss the making of both versions of the film
Deleted Scene
Original trailers
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic and author Stephen Thrower, an interview with Bava from 1976, translated from the original Italian for the first time, illustrated with original stills and archive posters.
Well that makes Kino's releases look a little bit pityful... :P
Glad I held off on Lisa and the Devil! I'll be getting both of these. Arrow were once too heavy handed with DNR but these recent releases from them are filmic and packed with great special features. I guess they're finally getting their head in the game. Very exciting
Arrow's Black Sunday is superior to the Kino release. The Kino release has only the commentary and trailers. The Arrow release is loaded with extra features. But I'll wait for the reviews before I make a purchase.
I've pre-ordered but I'm hoping there will be reviews before the actual release so one can get to hear about the video and sound quality. Hopefully they are at least equal to if not superior to the Kino releases.
