ARROW'S EXCALIBUR LIMITED-EDITON BOX SET

Arrow's new, 4K/Blu-ray (3-disc) release of John Boorman's 1981 epic, Excalibur, is exquisite (possessing a gleam as regal as the titular sword), including a treasure-trove of extras that Arthurian enthusiasts will surely applaud. 

The transfer of both the 141-min, theatrical cut and the 120-min, television version are the most sterling, home-video releases to date. This, in itself, is enough to celebrate, for Boorman's King Arthur adaptation has always been an entertaining one, which many film buffs (myself included) consider the best ever rendered on the perennial, Camelot myth.

Among the set's extras, fans will find archival commentary by Boorman; audio commentary by Bryan Hoyle, author of The Cinema of John Boorman and audio commentary by David Kettredge, director of the documentary, Boorman and the Devil. Further supplements include interviews with Boorman's cowriter, Rosco Pallenberg; design assistant, Neil (Interview with a Vampire) Jordan; production designer Anthony Pratt; 2nd unit director Peter MacDonald; and actor Charley Boorman. 

In addition to these fine additives, there's a satisfying, still gallery, trailers, a historical featurette by Howard Berger and Kevin Marr and a 50-minute making-of documentary, distinguished by cast and crew reflections.  

The movie's powerful, star lineup saturates much of the production, and such is visible throughout Arrow's exemplary extras, including an interchangeable, poster-art insert, a postcard collection and a stylish, collector's book, where performers Nigel Terry, Nicol Williamson, Cherie Lunghi, Nicholas Clay, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Paul Geoffrey, Gabriel Byrne, Clive Swift, Niall O'Brien, Helen Mirren ... Charley and Katherine Boorman preside.  

Whether one holds an interest in Excalibur or Camelot mythology in general, this Arrow offering is much too significant to overlook; so make your purchase before this regal release fades into the Merlin's eternal mist. 

https://www.arrowvideo.com/search/?q=excalibur

TERRIFIC TEAM-UP IMAGE: DAREDEVIL, CAP, BLACK WIDOW, HERCULES

 

ARROW'S WESTWORLD LIMITED-EDITON BOX SET

 

"Get this boy a bib! He needs his mama!"

The Gunslinger (Yul Brynner)

Arrow's Westworld, limited-edition 4K/Blu-ray box set is a welcomed one. Writer/director Michael Crichton's 1973, robot-gunslinger-runs-amok masterpiece was, after all, far ahead of its time, resonating now more than ever in light of computer viruses and fledgling A.I. (It's also Crichton's warmup to Jurassic Park, but Westworld, along with its co-featured Medieval and Roman sectors, is much more ferocious at its cruel, mechanical heart, holstered by a Jerry Goldsmith score that mates high-blazing western with high-tech pursuit.) 

The set is loaded with extras, some culled from  previous releases and others new to this one: a 4K restoration from the original negative; commentary by filmmaker Daniel Kremer; an android featurette by filmmaker Alexandra Heller-Nicholas; an interview with producer Paul N. Lazarus III; an interview with producer Larry Karaszewski; interviews with stars Richard Benjamin and James Brolin; the Beyond Westworld pilot; an on-location documentary; theatrical trailer and more. 

In addition to the above, the disc package contains an interchangeable, poster-art insert, each side featuring Yul Brynner's Gunslinger; six, collectible postcards, which include shots of Brynner, Benjamin, Brolin, and Linda Gaye Scott; plus an extensive collector's book. 

Westworld deserves all the accolades it gets, for it stands as one of cinema's most contagious submissions, having spawned a revered sequel, Futureworld, and two, television series (Beyond ... for CBS and a four-season, revisionist turn for HBO), but its influence is felt most in the popular likes of Terminator, Halloween and Friday the 13th, thanks to its resilient ("Why won't he just die?") antagonist.   

I love this movie. I love this box set. So will you, if you draw fast enough to purchase it.

https://www.arrowvideo.com/search/?q=westworld

FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

WITCHFINDER GENERAL: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

Witchfinder General (aka The Conqueror Worm, in the U.S.) is a scenic, 1968, Poe-pigmented thriller, directed by Michael (The Sorcerers/Castle of the Living Dead/The She Beast) Reeves and coscripted by Ronald (The Carthaginian) Bassett, from his popular novel, and Reeves' consistent collaborator, Tom Baker III. Witchfinder General is also considered one of the best examples of folk horror, and those thorough scribes, Nige Burton & Jamie Jones, now focus on its forbidding recesses for a new Classic Monsters of the Movies volume. 

The duo leads readers through the movie's development, from Tony Tensor's purchase of the novel for Tigon Films and its involved pre-production, where Reeves stated he didn't want Price for his lead. However, Reeves did get what he desired from Price, who conjured a grounded air of menace and as such, granted the beloved actor one of his most acclaimed performances. 

Burton & Jones detail, as well, the plot's melodramatic, 1645, Roundhead/Civil War fringes, which highlight Price's Matthew Hopkins, a lawyer (and actual, historic figure), enlisted to seek those accused of witchcraft, who are tortured by Hopkins' irascible henchman, Robert (Bedazzled/Man in the Wilderness/Ivanhoe 1982) Russell's John Stearne. 

Aiding and averting the fanatical crusade is Hilary (The Body Stealers/The Cry of the Banshee/The Oblong Box) Dwyer; Ian (The Return of the Saint/The Saint 2017/The She Beast) Ogilvy; Patrick (Blood on Satan's Claw/Cromwell/Journey to the Far Side of the Sun) Wymark; Wilfred (Steptoe and Son/A Hard Day's Night) Brambell; Rupert (Dracula Has Risen from the Grave/The Oblong Box/Frightmare 1974) Davies; Bernard (Trog/They Came from Beyond Space) Kay; Nicky (Psychomania/Vampira) Henson; Godfrey (At the Earth's Core/The Land that Time Forgot/The Oblong Box) James; Tony (Doctor Who 1986-87/Get Some In!/Villain) Salter; and Paul (The Creeping Flesh/The Blood Beast Terror/The She Beast) Ferris, aka Morris Jar, who not only performed in the movie, but composed the movie's luxuriant score. 

As the volume suggests, Witchfinder General evades supernatural elements to emphasize "man's inhumanity toward man," presenting human monsters who march to the beat of sardonic virtue. The U.S. tag-on of Poe's "Conqueror Worm" does capture the theme's essence, making it (contrary to what some may claim) an apt, alternate title, even if Bassett's brooding, revenge story is only Poe-influenced in its feel and trimmings. (Price's reading of the poem for the U.S. version nevertheless grants a nice, sinister touch, at least in my estimation.) 

Without question, Classic Monsters of the Movies: Witchfinder General does a commendable job celebrating a genuine stand-out of its kind. To include it in one's library, would be nothing short of earthy, pure and wise.  

https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/witchfinder-general-1968-ultimate-guide-magazine/

THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

Though its approach is wry, The Abominable Dr. Phibes is never dry, standing as one of the greatest, horror parodies ever produced. That it stars Vincent Price as its titular, vengeful, living-dead fiend (who just so happens to be an exceptional organist and astute theologian, in addition to an innovative serial killer) makes it all the more noteworthy. 

Classic Monsters of the Movies researchers/scribes Nige Burton & Jamie Jones now pay tribute to this anomalous, AIP, 1971 gem, directed by Robert Fuest, who coscripted with William Goldstein and James Whiton. The trio receives biographical attention among the issue's pages, as does its stars, which include not only the great Mr. Price, but the comparably great Joseph Cotten, as well as Virginia North, Terry-Thomas, Edward Burnham, Alex Scott, Peter Jeffrey, Norman Jones, Hugh Griffith, David Hutchinson, Caroline Munro, Aubrey Woods, Peter Gilmore, Maurice Kaufmann, John Cater, Sean Bury, Susan Travers, among others. 

The 1920s setting, wrapped in a 1970s mode, creates a fascinating juxtaposing for the story, as the skull-headed (though often disguised) Phibes, abetted by his silent partner, Vulnavia (North), seeks revenge on those he believes let his dear spouse (Munro) die, knocking them off one by one, each gruesome death inspired by the Ten Plagues of Egypt. Keeping his wife in cryogenic hibernation only enhances the morbidity of his quest (in a precursor to the later-day Victor Freeze), all of which was plotted with a sinister smile, now emphasized with joyful respect by Classic Monsters' appreciative authors.

To heighten the volume's weird worthiness, its photos are eye-popping, and Burton & Jones maintain their tradition of layering on trivia and quotes that will please every ardent, Anton Phibes fan. 

For certain, Classic Monsters of the Movies: The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a sardonic essential, and one can disentomb it by visiting 

https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/the-abominable-dr-phibes-1971-ultimate-guide-magazine/

 

WISE WORDS:

HAMILTON, NJ ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE (3/14/26)

 

THE NANNY: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

The Nanny is an often overlooked Hammer, psychological thriller, but thanks to scribes Nige Burton & Jamie Jones, this black-and-white gem receives the exposure it deserves via Classic Monsters of the Movies. 

Directed by Seth (Blood from the Mummy's Tomb/Taste of Fear/Danger Route) Holt and adapted by Hammer's top scribe, the uber-prolific Jimmy Sangster (based on Evelyn Piper/Merriam Modell's novel), the 1965 feature holds a misleading pitch. At first, it reflects The Bad Seed, with focus on the mischievous William (Doctor Doolittle) Dix's Joey Fane, who's spent time at a behavioral clinic, due to his sister's drowning, and ends up at heated odds with his nanny, played by Bette Davis. (BTW: No official name is ever ascribed to Davis' character.) Though Joey tells his dysfunctional clan that the nanny conceals a dark side, his warning fall on deaf ears, with danger mounting as a result. 

Burton & Jones perform an admirable service covering the movie's development, behind-the-scenes drama and quality contributors, including its cast, which in addition to Davis and Dix, features Pamela (Legend of Hell House/Necromancy/Food of the Gods/Satan's School for Girls) Franklin; Wendy (The Mind Benders/The Worst Witch) Craig; Jill (The Skull/The Haunting of Julia/For Your Eyes Only/The Nanny: British, television series) Bennett; James (Blood from the Mummy's Tomb/The Damned/Asylum/For Your Eyes Only/Gene Roddenberry's Spectre) Villiers; Maurice (Countess Dracula/The Mark/The Day of the Jackal) Denham; Alfred (Children of the Damned/Night Caller From Outer Space/The Man Who Finally Died) Burke ... and in her sole, cinema role, little Angharad Aubrey. 

The authors also parenthesize the issue with enlightening, trivia blocks and appreciated quotes, emboldened by phenomenal photos and publicity tie-ins.

Without question, this is a special edition for a special movie that requires special revisitation. Thanks to Burton & Jones, it's receiving just that. One can enjoy the fruits of their labor at  

https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/product/the-nanny-1965-ultimate-guide-magazine/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DONNA: HAVE A MAGIK-AL DAY!

 

USPS GOOFS UP AGAIN

USPS, based on its tracking system, claims its driver was unable to deliver a package (a birthday gift for my wife) due to our home being blocked by snow. I and my next-door neighbors cleared that snow many days ago. My sidewalk and porch are clear. The street, though neglected by our "magnanimous" bureaucrats, is also clear, even if a tad muddied. UPS (USPS' prime competitor) delivered a small package to our home earlier that same day, with no evident complaint or concern. 

I've now learned that after one alleged, USPS attempt, my wife's gift is being returned to the company of origin. Why? We're right here, at the same damn address; why not, in the least, give us another try, this time evading the silly alibi? On the other hand, it could be that the package was damaged. For what it's worth, on those rare occasions when we do receive mail, such is generally creased, smashed, punctured ... mutilated. 

It's the same old song and dance with USPS. As I stated in an earlier post, the company requires a severe overhaul; the sooner, the better. There's no reason for this ongoing ineptitude. USPS receives customer fees (from patrons and companies) to conduct a service. If it can't fulfill that pledge, it has no business staying in business.