Arrow Video Unearths Three Films from the 70's for their
"American Horror Project Volume 1"
Released by: Arrow Video
Release Date: February 22, 2016 (UK) / February 23, 2016 (US)
Production Year: 1976
Region Code: ALL
Running Time: 1:27:49
Audio: English LPCM Mono
Video: 1080p (2.35:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: English SDH
THE FILM - [ 3 / 5 ]:
Everyone knows the classic American horror titles: Night of the Living Dead, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and A Nightmare on Elm Street, to name but a few. But we want to tell you a different story – a story of the unsung heroes of American terror… Whether it’s a film that has languished in obscurity, or a movie that’s at risk of being lost due to lack of source materials, American Horror Project is here to ensure that these unique slices of the American Nightmare are brought back into the public consciousness and preserved for all to enjoy.
This review is for the Blu-ray of "The Witch Who Came from the Sea" (Matt Cimber, 1976), and stars Millie Perkins (The Diary of Anne Frank) as a young woman whose bizarre and violent fantasies start to bleed into reality – literally.
This is a peculiar tale of abuse, revenge and psychosis. The film features many flawed characters including Molly's own family as well as those she encounters on her journey to madness. You could call it a character study I suppose. During the film we are shown flashbacks to Molly's childhood with her lecherous father that gives us a good idea why Molly seems to have... issues now as an adult.
I thought that Millie Perkins did a fine job in her role as the very troubled Molly whose aggressiveness grows as the film progresses. While she does seem prudish at the start of the film, it is a matter of time until she starts to delve in to decadence, much like those around her. The film also includes a few familiar names and/or faces from the horror genre such as the great character actor George "Buck" Flower and Roberta Collins ("Death Race 2000," "Eaten Alive"). "The Witch Who Came From the Sea" also has the distinction of being a former "Video Nasty."
AUDIO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:
An English LPCM Mono track is the only audio option on this Blu-ray. English SDH Subtitles are are also included. The audio for the film sounded fine. Dialogue was clear and easy to understand. Sound effects sounded good and the score which includes a haunting theme which plays over the menu was reproduced nicely for this release. There is some static present although it is thankfully not too loud to the point of being very distracting. Other than that I did not really have any issues with the audio.
VIDEO - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:
"The Witch Who Came From the Sea" comes ashore on to Blu-ray thanks to a new 2k restoration by Arrow Video. The film is presented in 1080p with a 2.35 Aspect Ratio. Despite there being many white specks and spots as well as scratches, the picture quality looks impressive with a somewhat "grindhouse" appearance. The picture is rather sharp and displays a fair amount of detail which is surprising considering the print looks a bit rough. Colors have a strong presence. Skin tones look nice and natural in appearance. Be sure to take a look at the screen caps included to get an idea how the film looks.
The worst instance of damage is shown in the screen capture below and it happens at approximately at the 1:00:04 mark of the film. It looks much better in motion since when it occurs, it appears for a split second. I can only guess that rather than removing the damaged portion of the film, it was left intact which I prefer since like I said, it goes by so fast as appeared to just be a green line. It was only after I was able to pause it at the right moment that I saw how bad it is.
SPECIAL FEATURES - [ 3.5 / 5 ]:
Play Film with Introduction (4:52) - Author and Co-curator for American Horror Project, Stephen Thrower gives a brief introduction of the film. Mr. Thrower talks about the obscurity of the film, star Millie Perkins, as well as the story and characters.
Audio Commentary with Cast & Crew - This commentary track features Dean Cundey who served as the associate director of photography, star Millie Perkins and director Matt Cimber. This track doesn't sound the best with a slight echoing. I don't know where it was recorded but at times you hear other noises in the background, including the film and cell phones ringing. The participants often talk about the scenes as they are happening. There is an interesting story told by Mille Perkins about how Robert Thom (who she was married to) used parts of her life in the screenplay he wrote for the film. The trio also talk about various members of the cast and crew as well as the mindset of Molly (Millie Perkins).
Tides and Nightmares (23:28) - A new making-of documentary featuring interviews with director Matt Cimber, associate director of photography Dean Cundey and stars Millie Perkins and John Goff. This was a nice extra since we get to see the commentary participants as opposed to just hearing their voices. We also get to hear more about some of the actors from the film including how they became involved in the film and the characters that they played. Some information from the interviews is repeated also during the commentary, however these interviews go a little more in-depth.
A Maiden's Voyage (36:14) - An archive featurette comprised of interviews with director Matt Cimber, associate director of photography Dean Cundey and actress Millie Perkins. Matt and Millie talk about how she became involved with the making of the film which was due to her husband (who wrote the film) being sick in the hospital and they needed the money. If you are interested in hearing more from Cimber, Cundey and Perkins, you're in luck. They all speak about some aspects of the films production and their careers, so it wasn't a lot of overlapping information.
Lost at Sea (3:55) - Matt Cimber reflects on his notorious cult classic in this new interview.
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by the Twins of Evil.
DVD - A DVD is also included
American Horror Project Journal Volume 1 - As part of the limited edition set, a 60-page booklet featuring new articles on the film from Kim Newman (Nightmare Movies), Kier-La Janisse (House of Psychotic Women) and Brian Albright (Regional Horror Films, 1958-1990).
OVERALL RATING - [ 3.5 / 5 ]
An English LPCM Mono track is the only audio option on this Blu-ray. English SDH Subtitles are are also included. The audio for the film sounded fine. Dialogue was clear and easy to understand. Sound effects sounded good and the score which includes a haunting theme which plays over the menu was reproduced nicely for this release. There is some static present although it is thankfully not too loud to the point of being very distracting. Other than that I did not really have any issues with the audio.
"The Witch Who Came From the Sea" comes ashore on to Blu-ray thanks to a new 2k restoration by Arrow Video. The film is presented in 1080p with a 2.35 Aspect Ratio. Despite there being many white specks and spots as well as scratches, the picture quality looks impressive with a somewhat "grindhouse" appearance. The picture is rather sharp and displays a fair amount of detail which is surprising considering the print looks a bit rough. Colors have a strong presence. Skin tones look nice and natural in appearance. Be sure to take a look at the screen caps included to get an idea how the film looks.
The worst instance of damage is shown in the screen capture below and it happens at approximately at the 1:00:04 mark of the film. It looks much better in motion since when it occurs, it appears for a split second. I can only guess that rather than removing the damaged portion of the film, it was left intact which I prefer since like I said, it goes by so fast as appeared to just be a green line. It was only after I was able to pause it at the right moment that I saw how bad it is.
Play Film with Introduction (4:52) - Author and Co-curator for American Horror Project, Stephen Thrower gives a brief introduction of the film. Mr. Thrower talks about the obscurity of the film, star Millie Perkins, as well as the story and characters.
Audio Commentary with Cast & Crew - This commentary track features Dean Cundey who served as the associate director of photography, star Millie Perkins and director Matt Cimber. This track doesn't sound the best with a slight echoing. I don't know where it was recorded but at times you hear other noises in the background, including the film and cell phones ringing. The participants often talk about the scenes as they are happening. There is an interesting story told by Mille Perkins about how Robert Thom (who she was married to) used parts of her life in the screenplay he wrote for the film. The trio also talk about various members of the cast and crew as well as the mindset of Molly (Millie Perkins).
Tides and Nightmares (23:28) - A new making-of documentary featuring interviews with director Matt Cimber, associate director of photography Dean Cundey and stars Millie Perkins and John Goff. This was a nice extra since we get to see the commentary participants as opposed to just hearing their voices. We also get to hear more about some of the actors from the film including how they became involved in the film and the characters that they played. Some information from the interviews is repeated also during the commentary, however these interviews go a little more in-depth.
A Maiden's Voyage (36:14) - An archive featurette comprised of interviews with director Matt Cimber, associate director of photography Dean Cundey and actress Millie Perkins. Matt and Millie talk about how she became involved with the making of the film which was due to her husband (who wrote the film) being sick in the hospital and they needed the money. If you are interested in hearing more from Cimber, Cundey and Perkins, you're in luck. They all speak about some aspects of the films production and their careers, so it wasn't a lot of overlapping information.
Lost at Sea (3:55) - Matt Cimber reflects on his notorious cult classic in this new interview.
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by the Twins of Evil.
DVD - A DVD is also included
American Horror Project Journal Volume 1 - As part of the limited edition set, a 60-page booklet featuring new articles on the film from Kim Newman (Nightmare Movies), Kier-La Janisse (House of Psychotic Women) and Brian Albright (Regional Horror Films, 1958-1990).
OVERALL RATING - [ 3.5 / 5 ]
