Severin Unearths NIGHTMARE CASTLE Negative!Gothic horror fans will be delighted to know that Severin Films will be giving the first official DVD release to the 1965 Barbara Steele chiller NIGHTMARE CASTLE/THE FACELESS MONSTER (original title: Amanti d’oltretomba, or “Lovers Beyond The Tomb”). The original negative has recently been discovered in a Rome storage vault and apparently in good condition. Severin will be doing a new HD transfer in its original aspect ratio, so all those super cheap bootleg DVDs taken from 10th generation TV prints can now be discarded forever. The film was directed by Mario Caiano, and Severin recently shot a great interview with the 75 year old master at his home just outside of Rome. NIGHTMARE CASTLE also showcases the very first horror score by the legendary Ennio Morricone, and the beautiful black & white cinematography comes courtesy of Enzo Barboni. A new featurette with Steele will also be included. This uncut, uncensored and unsung hit of Italian horror history will have a street date of May 19 and retail for $19.95.
THE LEGEND OF BLOOD CASTLE Comes To DVD!On May 19, Mya Communication will release THE LEGEND OF BLOOD CASTLE on DVD. Considered one of the best adaptations of Elizabeth Báthory’s legend, this is a disturbing and chilling movie from Spanish horror cult director Jorge Grau (LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE). Also known as THE FEMALE BUTCHER, the 1973 film concerns Countess Erzsebet Bathory (Lucia Bosé), who is accidentally splattered with the blood drops of one of her nubile msunshineervants, discovering that the blood can preserve her skin. Compelled to kill innocent young girls to use their blood, the Countess is helped by her husband Karl (Espartaco Santoni), who fakes his own death and pretends to be a vampire to fool the superstitious villagers about the source of the exsanguinations. In the meantime, Karl finds himself attracted to Marina (Ewa Aulin, CANDY), the young daughter of a local innkeeper, perhaps another victim for the Countess. The disc will include a 1.77:1 anamorphic transfer; English, Spanish and Italian mono audio tracks; deleted scenes; alternate scenes; the original Italian opening credits and a still gallery. The SRP is $24.99.
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 XV to be released on July 7!Mystery Science Theater 3000 XV from Shout! Factory will include the following episodes:
102- THE ROBOT VS. THE AZTEC MUMMY (with short: COMMANDO CODY AND THE RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON Pt. 1)
509- THE GIRL IN LOVER’S LANE
604- ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE
616- RACKET GIRLS (with short: ARE YOU READY FOR MARRIAGE?)
Extras will include:
• Glimpses of KTMA
• The Design And Speculative Technology Of MST3K: Joel Hodgson And Trace Beaulieu Visit M.I.T.
• New Interviews with “Zombie Nightmare” stars Frank Dietz, Jon Mikl Thor and John Fasano.
• Kevin Murphy And Trace Beaulieu in a Sneak Peek of the upcoming indie feature film Hamlet A.D.D.
• Trailers/promos
• 4 limited edition mini-posters
It’s scheduled for release on July 7.
This seems like the perfect time to plug my extensive interview with Zombie Nightmare director John Fasano. You can check out his thoughts on Zombie Nightmare and his feelings about getting the MST3K treatment here:
http://www.horroryearbook.com/541699/heavy-metal-memories-the-john-fasano-interview
