Powerhouse Films

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Love this pic. It looks like they've taken the FAB press book Ten Years of Terror and stuck some of their own designs over the top.

[Michael Brooke]

Highly likely!

There's a great bit in the Atlantis commentary where one of the actors comments that two background extras appear to be wearing pillowcases on their heads, and Murphy cheerfully confirms that that's exactly what they were doing.

I wish he'd recorded more commentaries - directors really should be encouraged to take the piss out of their own films more often, and he's very good at it.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Michael Brooke

Highly likely!

There's a great bit in the Atlantis commentary where one of the actors comments that two background extras appear to be wearing pillowcases on their heads, and Murphy cheerfully confirms that that's exactly what they were doing.

I wish he'd recorded more commentaries - directors really should be encouraged to take the piss out of their own films more often, and he's very good at it.

All those stills from DVD Beaver sell the set more than the review posted yesterday. At least for me. Reading about lower quality materials used for the prints is off putting but the majority of the stills shown looked quite nice.

[Michael Brooke]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

All those stills from DVD Beaver sell the set more than the review posted yesterday. At least for me. Reading about lower quality materials used for the prints is off putting but the majority of the stills shown looked quite nice.

Sixteen out of twenty-six films are either entirely or mostly sourced from film elements (fifteen from 16mm, Bloodstream from Super 8) and look terrific (even Bloodstream looks startlingly good given the format). Two more are sourced from HD video (Nekros, The Return of Alan Strange) and three from digital SD video (Roxi, Skare, ZK3). In all cases, that's how they were originally shot.

The five that are substandard in this respect are Quälen, Avalon, Legend of a Hero, Death Run and Second Sight. With regard to the middle three, we know for certain that the only film elements were lost in a storage facility fire - fortunately, after they'd been telecined (and, even more fortunately, this applies to both cuts of Legend of a Hero). With Quälen and Second Sight, we couldn't find the 16mm elements for love nor money, and all trails went cold - although, again, they'd been telecined for posterity. (Murphy invariably shot on reversal film stock, so there's no negative - the 16mm elements are literally the only film materials.)

But I honestly think that if someone watches a film as flat-out demented as Death Run and all they can do afterwards is complain about the picture quality, they're probably not watching it in the spirit in which it was intended!

[Susan Foreman]

Breakdown of the contents of the 'Magic, Myth & Mutilation: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael' set:

DISC ONE: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1967-1979
* Tristan & Iseult (1970) (60:09)
* Happy Ever After (1974) (47:59)
* Secrets (1977) (88:03)
* Almost a Movie! (1979) (48:06)
"Murphy's Lore, Part 1: Origin" 2017 featurette (21:27)
Surviving Film Fragments (1967-1979):
- Atlantis: City of Sin (1967) (6:02)
- Boadicea (1968) (5:28)
- Gods and Heroes (1971) (2:31)
- Seventh Day (first version, 1976) (7:07)
- Insight (1978) (3:13)
- Seventh Day (second version, 1979) (5:07)
- Seventh Day (second version) Outtakes (2:11)
The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1967-1979 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (64 images)

DISC TWO: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1980-1982
* The Cell (1980) (13:38)
* Stay (1980) (58:29)
* Death in the Family (1981) (54:51)
* Invitation To Hell:
- Original Version (1982) (43:53)
- Revised Version (2008) (46:53)
* The Last Night (1982) (46:36)
* Invitation to Hell & The Last Night (double bill):
- The Last Night & Invitation to Hell (90:10)
- Invitation to Hell & The Last Night (90:10)
(1.) Audio commentary on "Invitation to Hell" with Michael J. Murphy, Phil Lyndon and Sally Duncan (28 July 2008)
(2.) Audio commentary on "Invitation to Hell" with Johnny Walker (6 July 2022)
Audio commentary on "The Last Night" with Michael J. Murphy, Phil Lyndon and Sally Duncan (28 July 2008)
"Invitation to Hell and The Last Night Together Again" 2008 featurette (15:00)
The Last Night Alternative Titles and Credits (2:11)
Stay Outtakes (2:29)
Stay Theme (3:06)
Reissue Trailers:
- Invitation to Hell Trailer (1:57)
- The Last Night Trailer (0:47)
- Invitation to Hell & The Last Night Double-Bill Trailer (1:10)
Custom Video Reel (2:12)
The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1980-1982 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (68 images)

DISC THREE: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1983-1985
* Quälen aka The Hereafter (1983):
- Play as Quälen (84:25)
- Play as The Hereafter (US VHS Title) (84:25)
* Bloodstream (1985):
- Play director's cut (79:44)
- Play bootleg version (80:47)
"Michael J. Murphy Presents" 2015 featurette (18:40)
16mm Test Footage (3:12)
Bloodstream Promo (2:41)
The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1980-1982 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (27 images)
Quälen Image Gallery: Original Shooting Script (91 images)
Bloodstream Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material [script] (60 images)

DISC FOUR: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1986-1987
* Tristan AKA Legend of a Hero (1986):
- Tristan (108:40)
- Legend of a Hero (87:44)
* Death Run (1988)(73:36)
"Murlyn's Cave" 2023 featurette (21:55)
Legend of a Hero Trailer #1 (1:39)
Legend of a Hero Trailer #2 (1:14)
Death Run Trailer #1 (2:12)
Death Run Trailer #2 (0:59)
The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1986-1987 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (41 images)
Tristan Image Gallery: Original Shooting Script (79 images)
Death Run Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (47 images)

DISC FIVE: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1988-1989
* Avalon (1988) (84:08)
* Moonchild (1989) (87:35)
"Murphy's Lore, Part 2: Method" 2017 featurette (20:37)
Avalon Trailer #1 (2:20)
Avalon Trailer #2 (1:26)
Moonchild Trailer (1:35)
The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1988-1989 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (29 images)
Avalon Image Gallery: Original Shooting Script (68 images)

DISC SIX: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1990-1991
* Torment (1990) (90:23)
* Atlantis (1991) (82:32)
Audio commentary on Atlantis with Michael J. Murphy, Judith Holding and June Bunday (3 January 2010)
Atlantis Featurettes:
- "The Making of Atlantis" (2000) (7:10)
- "The Making of Atlantis" (2009) (6:52)
Atlantis Alternative Titles and Credits (5:34)
Bloopers Reel (from Death Run, Moonchild, Torment, Atlantis, Second Sight) (5:21)
Torment Trailer (2:13)
Atlantis Trailer #1 (2:02)
Atlantis Trailer #2 (2:17)
Galleries:
- The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1990-1991 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (44 images)
- Atlantis Image Gallery: Original Script Gallery (67 images)

DISC SEVEN: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1991-1993
* Second Sight (1991) (89:58)
* Road to Nowhere (1993) (95:25)
"Mike Gives Us a Tour of His Home and Studio: Unused B-roll from Murphy's Lore" 2015 featurette (11:16)
Road to Nowhere Alternate Credits (1:30)
Road to Nowhere Trailer (2:13)
The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1991-1993 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (34 images)

DISC EIGHT: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1995-1999
* The Rite of Spring (1995):
- Original version (90:22)
- Re-edited version (81:18)
* Tristan (1999):
- Original version (108:11)
- Re-edited version (101:29)
"Horror-on-Sea 2013 Presents: An Exclusive Interview with Michael J. Murphy - Recorded on New Year's Day 2013 with Questions Supplied by Darrell Buxton" 2013 featurette (64:13)
The Rite of Spring Behind the Scenes (40:20)
Tristan Alternative Titles and Credits (3:52)
The Rite of Spring Trailer (2:15)
Tristan Trailer (2:57)
The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 1995-1999 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (15 images)
Tristan Image Gallery: Original Shooting Script (159 images)

DISC NINE: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 2004-2009
* Roxi (2004) (96:14)
* Skare (2009) (86:34)
Audio commentary on Skare with Michael J. Murphy and Judith Holding (22 January 2009)
"The Making of Roxi" 2004 featurette (12:50)
"The Making of Skare" 2009 featurette (14:42)
Roxi Outtakes (27:39)
Skare Alternative Opening and end Credits (3:26)
Skare Outtakes (13:34)
Skare Readthrough (46:19)
Skare (the lost 2001 version):
- Rushes (36:37)
- The Leftovers (2:50)
- Fight Rehearsal Footage (2:23)
- Oliver Price Selected Footage Commentary (5:34)
- Michael J. Murphy on Chris Jupp's Beast (4:28)
Trailers:
- Roxi Trailer (2:03)
- Skare Trailer (1:37)
Galleries:
- The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 2004-2009 Image Gallery (25 images)
- Roxi Image Gallery: Original Shooting Script (124 images)
- Skare Image Gallery: Original 2001 Shooting Script (122 images)
- Skare Image Gallery: Original 2006 Shooting Script (125 images)
- Another Man's Poison Image Gallery: Short Story (71 images)

DISC TEN: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 2012-2015
* ZK3 (2012) (78:37)
* Nekros: Isle of the Dead (2014) (97:03)
* The Return of Alan Strange (2015) (81:59)
"Murphy's Lore, Part 3: Legacy" 2017 featurette (24:56)
"The Making of ZK2" 2012 featurette (11:10)
ZK3 Premiere (Paxos Film Awards 2012) (10:33)
Nekros: Behind the Scenes (Final Version) (16:17)
Nekros: Behind the Scenes (Rough Assembly) (53:19)
"Wish You Were Here" 2012 featurette (3:01)
The Return of Alan Strange Pick-up Take (0:35)
The Return of Alan Strange Green Screen (0:37)
Trailers (Play All - 5:02):
- ZK3 Trailer (1:29)
- Nekros: Isle of the Dead Trailer (1:58)
- The Return of Alan Strange Trailer (1:34)
Galleries:
- The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy 2012-2015 Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (39 images)
- ZK3 Image Gallery: Original Shooting Script (66 images)

This release is already being touted as being 'release of the year' at DVDCompare

"Holy zarking fardwarks, major hardcopy disc release alert of the year!

I had never heard of Michael J. Murphy (1951-2015) prior to the announcement that Powerhouse Films were going to restore, remaster and release this whopping 26-film set which brings together all surviving films (he made 30 between 1967 and 2015).

This amazing complete career package of the late British micro-budget director is must have for anyone into Z-grade, micro-budget film production or genre cinema in general. Disc one in the set contains the first four surviving films plus all known fragments of his other now lost or never completed productions dated between 1967-79. Image and sound quality are problematic but not due to the herculean efforts of those individuals producing this set, they've done the absolute best it's possible to do with the surviving elements. I've given both 'B-' because of this. Extras are excellent nd extremely strong and my rating of 'A+' applies to the whole set rather than this first disc alone.

An absolutely essential purchase for those so inclined and given the over year long gestation period I hope Powerhouse Films and those specific individuals responsible for bringing this mammoth set to release are justifiably rewarded by nominations come the end of 2023 for the best release of the year.

Highly recommended."

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Now shipping!

[Michael Brooke]

Indicator's first 4K UHD releases are...

<drumroll>

THE SHIVER OF THE VAMPIRES
(Jean Rollin, 1971)
Release date: 24 April 2023
Limited Edition 4K UHD (World premiere)

Pre-order it on 4K UHD or Blu-ray.

Jean Rollin’s third feature film, 1971’s The Shiver of the Vampires (Le Frisson des vampires), established themes and visual motifs to which he would return throughout his career, blending horror, eroticism, fairy tale, and surrealism to create his unique cinema of the fantastique.

Arriving at a decrepit chateau for their honeymoon, young newlyweds undergo a series of surreal and sinister encounters, and come to realise that they are the prey of the resident vampires...

With performances from Sandra Julien (I Am Frigid... Why?) and Marie-Pierre Castel (Lips of Blood), ravishing cinematography from Rollin’s regular collaborator Jean-Jacques Renon, and a thrilling jazz-rock score by Acanthus, The Shiver of the Vampires is regarded as one of Rollin’s greatest films.

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION 4K UHD SPECIAL FEATURES

• New 4K HDR restoration from the internegative by Powerhouse Films
• 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original French and English mono soundtracks
• Audio commentary with director Jean Rollin (2006)
• Audio commentary with Sylvia Kristel: From Emmanuelle to Chabrol author Jeremy Richey (2023)
• Virginie Sélavy on ‘The Shiver of the Vampire’ (2023): appreciation by the author and film historian
• Rouge Vif (2023): updated documentary on the making of The Shiver of the Vampires by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette
• Introduction by Jean Rollin (1998): filmed appraisal by the director
• Interview with Jean Rollin by Patricia MacCormack (2004): lengthy discussion filmed in Paris
• Deleted scenes: sex sequences filmed for the export market
• Original French, English and German theatrical trailers
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
• New and improved English translation subtitles for the French soundtrack
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by David Hinds, an archival introduction by Jean Rollin, an archival interview with the director by Peter Blumenstock, an archival interview with actor Marie-Pierre Castel, Andy Votel on Acanthus, the mysterious group behind the film’s soundtrack, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits
• World premiere on 4K UHD
• Limited edition of 8,000 numbered units (4,000 4K UHDs and 4,000 Blu-rays) for the UK and US

All extras subject to change

#PHILE402U
BBFC cert: 18
REGION FREE
EAN: 5060697922745

TWO ORPHAN VAMPIRES
(Jean Rollin, 1997)
Release date: 24 April 2023
Limited Edition 4K UHD (World premiere)

Pre-order on 4K UHD or Blu-ray.

Originally released in 1997, Two Orphan Vampires (Les Deux orphelines vampires) finds Jean Rollin, the master of the fantastique, returning to the vampire genre with which he had made his name.

By day, blind orphans Henriette and Louise seem to be the picture of innocence. But when darkness falls, their sight returns, and they wander the streets of Paris, encountering the city’s strange nocturnal denizens, and leaving a trail of corpses in their quest for fresh blood.

Featuring startling performances from novice leads Alexandre Pic and Isabelle Teboul, alongside Tina Aumont (Modesty Blaise) and Rollin regulars Nathalie Perrey (The Shiver of the Vampires) and Brigitte Lahaie (Fascination), Two Orphan Vampires is a beautiful and melancholy summation of Rollin’s unique and arresting style.

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION 4K UHD SPECIAL FEATURES

• New 4K HDR restoration from the original negative by Powerhouse Films
• 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original French and English mono soundtracks
• Audio commentary with critics and authors David Flint and Adrian J Smith (2023)
• Memories of a Blue World (2023): updated documentary on the making of Two Orphan Vampires by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette, featuring interviews with actor Isabelle Teboul, assistant director Jean-Noël Delamarre, composer Philippe D’Aram, and others
• Jean Rollin on ‘Two Orphan Vampires’ (2002): extensive, newly edited archival interview with the filmmaker exploring the themes of Two Orphan Vampires and his wider oeuvre
• Interview with Alexandra Pic (2002): newly edited archival interview with the actor
• Interview with Isabelle Teboul (2002): newly edited archival interview with the actor
• Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
• New and improved English translation subtitles for the French soundtrack
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Patricia MacCormack, archival introduction by Jean Rollin, archival production report by Peter Blumenstock, archival interview with Brigitte Lahaie, an extract from Rollin’s source novel, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits
• World premiere on 4K UHD
• Limited edition of 8,000 numbered units (4,000 4K UHDs and 4,000 Blu-rays) for the UK and US

All extras subject to change

#PHILE417U
BBFC cert: 15
REGION FREE
EAN: 5060697923018

[Rob4]

Well that was unexpected... UHD I mean, not the titles as we knew Rollin was coming.

I'm not sure I like Rollin enough to splash out on a rigid-slipcase LE bluray, nevermind a UHD? I would like to upgrade to a newer and better transfer. I think I'll wait and see if I can get it in a sale or even just settle for a standard edition if it sells out quick.

It's not for me to question Indicator's marketing strategy but I would have thought the Rollin's would have been better served in 3-4 boxsets? Shifting 8000 of these seems a tad ambitious especially if you are going to ask customers to shell out the same price for all of the titles? Perhaps they don't have them all?

I guess there's probably restoration costs attached to these and they feel this is the best way to recoup those costs?

Anyway, I hope it's successful so we keep getting excellent Indicator product down the line.

[Mojo]

Rollin in 4k? Count me in !
I must admit, I was expecting a box set, but I’ll definitely be getting these.

[MrBarlow]

The Shiver Of The Vampires and Two Orphan Vampires UHD