Arrow Video are set to release a newly restored version of Lucio Fulci's controversial horror masterpiece Zombie Flesh Eaters on December 3rd. Painstakingly restored from the original camera negative, the film stands-out as one of the famed distributor's biggest ever (and best looking) restoration projects.
Available as a Limited Edition SteelBook (complete with limited edition artwork), Limited Edition Slipbox (with 4 alternate artworks – available exclusively from arrowfilms.co.uk), and as a standard edition Blu-ray, a complete list of the special features included in these highly anticipated Zombie Flesh Eaters releases is as follows:
A brand new high definition restoration of the original negative with optional English and Italian opening titles
Optional English SDH subtitles for English audio / a new English subtitles translation for Italian audio
Optional original, restored Italian and English Mono 2.0 audio
Audio commentary with screenwriter Elisa Briganti, moderated by Calum Waddell
Audio commentary with Fulci biographer Stephen Thrower and horror expert Alan Jones
UK exclusive introduction to the film from Ian McCulloch
"ALIENS, CANNIBALS AND ZOMBIES: A TRILOGY OF ITALIAN TERROR" – Actor Ian McCulloch remembers his three classics of Latin horror lunacy - ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS, CONTAMINATION and ZOMBI HOLOCAUST
"FROM ROMERO TO ROME: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE ITALIAN ZOMBIE FILM" – Veteran Fulci screenwriters Dardano Sacchetti (THE BEYOND) and Antonio Tentori (CAT IN THE BRAIN), celebrated UK critic Kim Newman and filmmakers Luigi Cozzi (CONTAMINATION), Ruggero Deodato (CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST), Russ Streiner (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD) plus many more share memories of the genesis of corpse -crunching cinema - from Romero's early templates to the gory glory days of Fulci and his many successors.
"THE MEAT MUNCHING MOVIES OF GINO DE ROSSI" – The special effects magician behind many Italian splatter classics talks about his most famous gore-drenched greats - and shows props from many plasma-packed masterworks - including ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS, CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY, CANNIBAL FEROX, BURIAL GROUND and PIRANHA II.
"ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS - FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN" – Dardano Sacchetti shows key pages from his original ISLAND OF THE LIVING DEAD screenplay.
Trailers and TV spots
Collector's booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by Fulci biographer Stephen Thrower, a new interview with star Olga Karlatos by Calum Waddell, a history of Zombie Flesh Eaters and the BBFC by Craig Lapper , one of the board's senior examiners, and extracts of the original 'Nightmare Island' 1978 script including unfilmed, alternate, and more gory sequences as well as a Lucio Fulci CV compiled by Jay Slater.
What?? For a second there, I thought this was some Fulci movie I'd overlooked but this is ZOMBIE. Why have they re-titled it Zombie Flesh Eaters?? The Blue Underground version is still on my wishlist and that's the one I'll be getting. They need our support as it seems they are running on fumes these days judging by the lack of releases and re-releases of their biggest titles on triple feature DVDs. Such a shame; they were my favorite indie label for horror...
@TheManInBlu - Most Italian horror titles from this period were released under several different titles, depending on the region. Arrow didn't re-title the film. It was also known as Zombi 2 in Italy (as a sequel to Dawn of the Dead - which was called Zombi in Italy).
Charliemaess, the film hasn't been censored in England for a decade or so, so will be uncut.
ManinBlu, they haven't really retitled it, this film has always been known as Zombie Flesh Eaters in the UK, right back to its theatrical exhibition and subsequent video cassette releases.
P.S. if the titling bothers you, the Blu-ray will feature three seamlessly branched versions so you can watch it with the UK title, the US title, or the Italian title/credits. Pretty nifty!
As usual I expect the transfer will be from the same source as Blue Underground's, but Arrow will have messed around with it a bit. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Jones/Thrower commentary.
