Powerhouse Films

[Rob4]

Originally Posted by Michael Brooke

No promises at this stage (I'm acutely aware that we jumped the gun on Never Take Sweets from a Stranger by prematurely announcing the reinstatement of a censored word that we ultimately couldn't restore), but let's just say for now that we're all fully aware of this film's release and version history.

thanks Michael, i know you'll do your best.

[g053584398]

Originally Posted by profondo rosso

Ordered. Love a good Western and not seen any of these. My old man loves westerns and named me after Randolph Scott....and no my names not Randolph!

Attachment 202135

I do love the presentation and colours of the Box sets.

Randolph Scott is my favourite western star. He is also my old man's favourite as well.

[profondo rosso]

Originally Posted by Michael Brooke

Here's the new Hammer box without the belly band:



...and the individual sleeves:









As before, the reversible side of the sleeve will be based on original US poster artwork.

Super excited about these. So spoilt, never thought I would see Hammer films like this in such a beautiful package. More please.

[Susan Foreman]

The BBFC have passed "The Stranglers of Bombay" uncut with a '15' certificate

Presumably this is the first time that the film have been released uncensored. It was cut on it's original cinema release in 1959, and then cut further for it's video release in 1996

All cuts have now been waived, including the 7 seconds removed from the video release for animal cruelty - a scene of a mongoose fighting a snake

Once again, a mockery is made of the animal violence law!

[Rob4]

doing a little further research on The Stranglers of Bombay indicates that it looks like its not good news.

the PH version passed by the BBFC is 79m 43s
THE STRANGLERS OF BOMBAY | British Board of Film Classification

the cut US version on the previous Sony releases was 79m 46s
Rewind @ www.dvdcompare.net - Stranglers of Bombay (The) AKA Stranglers of Bengal (1959)

it might be down to differences in the way the times were noted down but based on those timings it doesn't look like anything has been reinstated besides the mongoose/snake fight.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

I've ordered the Hammer set from HMV.

Unfortunately I can't bring myself to buy the Five Tall Tales set.The only PH release I've not yet picked up....
When it comes to westerns,I'm afraid it's spaghetti,Eastwood or nowt.....

[Paul@TheOverlook]

Originally Posted by The Reaper Man@Cult Labs

I've ordered the Hammer set from HMV.



Unfortunately I can't bring myself to buy the Five Tall Tales set.The only PH release I've not yet picked up....

When it comes to westerns,I'm afraid it's spaghetti,Eastwood or nowt.....

I was thinking the same - those films look dry as f—-!

Nice to see that MISSING has been announced.

[Michael Brooke]

Originally Posted by Paul@TheOverlook

I was thinking the same - those films look dry as f—-!

They’re really, really not. Obviously I have to declare an interest, but as someone who’s normally no fan of Westerns I found working on these (which unavoidably involves multiple viewings per title) to be an absolute pleasure. They really are pretty exceptional.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Paul@TheOverlook

I was thinking the same - those films look dry as f—-!

They are actually very good. The director, Budd Boetticher, tended to shoot on location a lot in Alabama Hills area of the Sierra Nevada, California, rather than on the usual sound stages.

I have all seven Scott / Boetticher films on a region one dvd set and they are well worth a look. Obviously if you can't stand Hollywood westerns then perhaps they aren't for you.

I do think forty odd quid is a bit expensive though. However if i was bd compatible i'd be sorely tempted to upgrade as they'll look terrific (The upscaled dvd's do anyway)

[Paul@TheOverlook]

I’m sure they’re great if you appreciate the westerns of the period in which they were made but I’m with Reaps - Leone and Peckinpah ushered in the type of western I have a fondness for - even the Hawks and Ford westerns leave me stone cold. The abolishment of the Hays code helped too - not that I’m saying westerns should be violent, just a little more gritty. The more naturalistic (read less hammy) acting that became the norm in the mid-late 1960s marks a big difference for me too.