The Dead Return to UK DVD & BR

The dead have risen and they need more ‘BRAINS’! Dan O’Bannon’s cult splatterfest The Return Of The Living Dead is one of the definitive zombie movies and one of the classic horror films of the 80s.

Now this horror favourite is being released as a special edition double DVD and makes its UK Blu-ray debut in a limited edition Steelbook, both with five hours of special features, on 4 June 2012 courtesy of Second Sight.

Blundering medical supplies warehouse workers Frank and his young trainee Freddy unwittingly set off a mysterious US military chemical that brings the dead back to life. And they’ve got a real hunger for human brains. Enlisting the help of a local crematorium, they set off a chain of events that could lead to the end of civilisation.

Can they defeat the growing army of ravenous zombies? ‘How do you kill something that’s already dead’ It’s not a bad question Bert.

Complete with a raucous rock soundtrack by the inimitable The Cramps, The Return Of
The Living Dead is a zombie gorefest at its best.

Special features:
• MORE BRAINS! A RETURN TO THE LIVING DEAD
The definitive two-hour documentary featuring interviews with cast, writers, producers and many more, as well as previously unseen behind the scenes footage, storyboards, conceptual art, publicity materials and archival documents
• MORE BRAINS! TWO HOURS OF KILLER BONUS FEATURES
A conversation with Dan O’Bannon: The Final Interview
They Won’t Stay Dead: A Look at Return of The Living Dead Part 2
A Love Beyond The Grave: A Look at Return of The Living Dead 3
Stacey Q Live: Exclusive ‘Tonight’ music video
Even More Brains: Deleted documentary interview
Return of The Living Dead in three minutes
Resurrected Settings: The Filming Locations Today
• THE ORIGINS OF RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD – with John A. Russo
• THE FX OF THE LIVING DEAD – with production designer William Stout and FX make-up artists William Munns and Tony Gardner
• PARTY TIME – with music consultant Steve Pross and 45 Grave singer Dinah Cancer
• EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAY STEELBOOK – ‘ERNIE’S NOTEPAD’ – 20-page replica notebook by embalmer Ernie Kaltenbrunner, featuring production notes, carting information and exclusive artwork

Buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Buy the Blu-ray at Amazon.co.uk

The Awakening comes to UK DVD & BR

Set in 1921, in a post-war England, Florence Cathcart (REBECCA HALL from THE TOWN) is committed to debunking supernatural claims, using methodical and rational explanations. When she is asked to visit a boarding school in the countryside called Rookwood - to investigate the alleged sightings of a ghostly young boy - she feels compelled to take the job.

But over the coming days the blurred image of a child-like ghost haunts Florence and she begins to doubt her resolve, increasingly unable to provide any logical explanation for the bizarre goings-on.

The film also stars DOMINIC WEST (THE WIRE) and IMELDA STAUNTON from (VERA DRAKE).

Special Features:

Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Nick Murphy
Behind the Scenes
A Time For Ghosts
Trailer

Additional Blu-ray Special Features

Anatomy of A Scene - Florence and the lake
Anatomy of A SCREAM
Deleted Scenes with Director's Introduction
Interview with Director Nick Murphy
BAFTA Q&A

Buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Buy the BR & DVD double pack at Amazon.co.uk

Hudson Horror Festival - New York

One for my American site visitors, on Saturday, May 19th, 2012, the hallowed grounds of the Silver Cinemas, South Hills 8 in New York, will once again showcase the greatest classic horror film festival in the Hudson Valley, Hudson Horror Show 5

Their fifth 12 hour movie festival will feature five full length classic genre films along with shorts and drive in style trailers, all off rare 35mm film prints!

Hudson Horror Five opens at 12 noon that day, the“opening act” will be Hammer Films and the Shaw Brothers "LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES", followed by the traditional "MYSTERY MOVIE", which will be announced on the day.

Then there's a triple headliner, starting with an extremely rare screening of George A. Romero’s "DAY OF THE DEAD", followed by Don Corscarelli's "PHANTASM" before finishing with the uncut version of the original FRIDAY THE 13th!

There will also be the usual short films, drive in trailers, vendors, giveaways, trivia questions and usual nonsense that make Hudson Horror so much fun.

The December to Dismember 2011 show was a sell out with people having to be seated in our “reserved for staff seats”. So if you can get yourself to New York, don’t miss out, grab your tickets now! This is our third year of shows and ticket prices are still only $26.00 in advance via PayPal. Advance ticket holders save money and will be admitted first. If any tickets remain they will be available at the door on the day of the show for $30.00, cash only.

For more info visit their website at http://www.hudsonhorror.com/

The Dead Rise.... and reveal all in a new book!

Director/ Producer Howard J Ford of hit Zombie film THE DEAD has written an uncompromising and disastrously toe-curling behind-the-scenes, blow-by-blow account of the making of the feature film that has become the global zombie movie of the year.

SURVIVING THE DEAD – illustrated with never before seen stills from the shoot - takes us from England to Africa on a harrowing journey as The Ford Brothers try to hold together a film shoot with more horror than any fictional plot could possibly contain. For anyone interested in the harsh realities of filmmaking or nuts enough to actually want to make a film, then this is a must-read guide.

Amongst many other secrets exposed within the book, one chapter reveals the true budget for THE DEAD and it’s definitely a shocker!
 

“Frustratingly”, Howard says, ‘although I’ve since read that our budget was $2-5Million, we actually had just under $150 thousand dollars -  $30 thousand of which went on corruption & bribery just to keep us moving. The crazy thing about this is that I have directed soap powder commercials that run for only 30 seconds with larger budgets than the entire 100 minutes that is ‘The Dead”.

How they pulled this off and survived to tell the tale is revealed in detail for the first time only in the book, as are: A full expose on the fiery situations that went down on location between Malaria-ridden lead actor Rob Freeman and Jon Ford and exactly why Jon became known locally as ‘The crazy One’, plus numerous tips and humorous insights on all aspects of the film business.

Currently only available from the official SURVIVING-THE-DEAD.com website, the book can be pre-ordered from today for a discounted £2.99. It will be go on sale from 1st March at a cost of £3.99 and will then spread to Amazon, ITunes and many more…

Visit the official website: www.surviving-the-dead.com.

The Horror Channel celebrates British Horror Past & Present (UK)

Following the success of last year’s ‘Cruel Britannia’ season, Horror Channel presents ‘Heritage Of Horror’, which continues to showcase and celebrate British horror, past and present, at its finest.  Here we have two classics from the vaults and two brand new films, yet to be shown on UK television.

First up, on Friday March 9, is Gary Sherman’s 1973 DEATH LINE. Set on the London Underground, this moody shocker features brilliant horror icon Donald Pleasance in the lead role as a cockney copper. Hammer Horror star Christopher Lee also shows up in a small cameo. This is one of Guillermo del Toro’s all-time favourites.

Then, on Friday March 16, we jump forward four decades to bring you the UK TV premiere of Jonathan Glendening’s 2010 sexy werewolf chaser 13 HRS - which sees hot ‘Hollyoaks’ star Gemma Atkinson turn her hand to horror for the first time. The film, which won ‘Best British Horror’ at the Grimm Up North Festival, also stars Tom Felton, Isabella Calthorpe and Simon MacCorkindale.

Next up, on Friday March 23, is the all-time classic BLOOD ON SATAN’S CLAW (1971). Featuring an all-star cast of great British thespians this is a gritty and at times gruelling and grisly slice of prime genre product. A truly disturbing and shocking slice of 17th century horror mayhem featuring devilish and demonic behaviour and eroticism – this film is certainly not for the feint hearted…

Finally, on Friday March 30, we bring the season bang up to date with the UK TV Premiere the psychological thriller PSYCHOSIS (2010), directed by first-time horror filmmaker Reg Traviss and starring Charisma Carpenter, who found mega fame in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Here she takes on the role of a novelist who finds herself mentally unravelling.

TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138

 Website www.horrorchannel.co.uk | Twitter www.twitter.com/horror_channel

Film4 FrightFest announces guest line-up for Glasgow FF 2012

Audiences at this year’s Film 4 FrightFest event at the Glasgow film Festival are in for a treat as no less than six directors will be attending.

One of the most eagerly anticipated movies in the Film4 FrightFest Glasgow line-up is THE RAID. This action film to end all action films is virtually guaranteed to blow the roof off the Glasgow Film Theatre with its ramped up sequences of super-exhilaration and has already been snapped up for a major Hollywood remake. So we are thrilled to welcome Welshman director Gareth Evans to Scotland, via his home in Indonesia, to discuss all things Glock and roll and star Iko Uwais.

CRAWL director Paul China and his producer brother Ben China are travelling from Australia to share the excitement their superbly slow-burning thriller is currently generating across the globe.

Another set of brothers will be arriving from Rome to present L’ARRIVO DI WANG/THE ARRIVAL OF WANG. Antonio and Marco Manetti, collectively known as the Manetti bros. have become a major force in Italian fantasy over the past few years with such movies as ZORA THE VAMPIRE and THE 17th FLOOR. Their wonderful slice of playful sci-fi will reveal in no uncertain times why they have been asked to direct the remake of STAGE FRIGHT and a sequel to TORSO.

From Los Angeles comes Padraig Reynolds, director of the shocker fantasy RITES OF SPRING, who will be talking about rising horror star A J Bowen and why he’s thanked on Ti West’s THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL.

Another key Italian figurehead, travelling from Rome to join us is SHADOW man Federico Zampaglione. The Italian Rob Zombie, is bringing over the opening sequence of his new giallo horror TULPA to show in public for the very first time. This is a world premiere from the lead singer of the Italian rock band Tiromancino you will not want to miss.

Festival co-director Alan Jones said: “We know it’s important to our audience that they meet the talent behind the terror and it’s that respectful interaction that makes FrightFest extra special within the fan community”.

The UK’s favourite horror fantasy festival returns to its second home at the Glasgow Film Festival for the 7th year from Friday Feb 24 to Saturday Feb 25, Eleven new must-see genre titles will be screened, ten of which are UK premieres.

To book tickets:

+44 (0)141 332 6535 / boxoffice@glasgowfilm.org

For full programme & timetable log onto www.frightfest.co.uk

Dracula : Prince of Darkness returns....

STUDIOCANAL are undertaking a joint restoration project with HAMMER FILMS to restore and release on DVD and as blu-ray premiers, some of their most iconic horror titles.

Starting March 5th with one of Hammer's most iconic characters, they will be releasing a DVD and Blu-ray double-play combo pack of DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS, starring Christopher Lee and Barbara Shelley. Along with the fully restored film, there will be a comprehensive extras package produced in association with Hammer expert and author Marcus Hearn!

Four English tourists find themselves stranded in the mysterious village of Karlsbad, a sinister and remote place of deadly, dark legend. Their journeyleads them to an abandoned castle where a nightmarish destiny awaits them. However, it wasn’t just fate that brought them here, but an evil force in need of resurrection, a blood craving beast known only as Count Dracula, Prince of Darkness. Released in 1966 this is Christopher Lee’s second outing as Dracula, with Hammer Films pushing the cinematic boundaries of graphic gore and terror.

Extras: Commentary featuring Christopher Lee, Suzan Farmer, Francis Matthews & Barbara Shelley / World of Hammer episode “Hammer Stars: Christopher Lee” / Back to Black / Super 8mm Behind the Scenes footage / Restoration comparison / Trailer / Double bill Trailer / Original USA Titles / Orginal Print UK Theatrical Titles. 

Further titles to be released in this restoration programme will include THE REPTILE and THE PLAGUE OF ZOMBIES, both arriving to blu-ray for the first time on May 7th, with more to follow later this year.

Buy online at Amazon.co.uk