October 13th Blu-ray & DVD Releases Include THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925 / 1929), THE BROOD, THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA

2015/10/13 00:36:04 +00:00 | Heather Wixson

As we get closer and closer to Halloween, the home entertainment releases on Blu-ray and DVD seem to get better and better, as this Tuesday will see the release of several fantastic cult classics and so much more. On October 13th, Criterion Collection is bringing home David Cronenberg’s terrifying masterpiece The Brood to both Blu and DVD and we’ve also got The Return of Count Yorga to look forward to courtesy of Scream Factory.

For those of you who love a good "bad movie," Synapse Releasing has a restored version of the granddaddy of them all, Manos: The Hands of Fate, arriving on both formats this week as well.

Other notable October 13th releases include a two-disc Blu-ray of the 192os classic The Phantom of the Opera, The Gallows, the 2oth anniversary release of Mosquito, Shakma, Tomorrowland, and the high-def debut of Class of Nuke ’Em High 3.

The Brood (Criterion Collection, Blu-ray & DVD)

A disturbed woman is receiving a radical form of psychotherapy at a remote, mysterious institute. Meanwhile, her five-year-old daughter, under the care of her estranged husband, is being terrorized by a group of demonic beings. How these two story lines connect is the shocking and grotesque secret of this bloody tale of monstrous parenthood from David Cronenberg (Scanners), starring Oliver Reed (Women in Love) and Samantha Eggar (The Collector). With its combination of psychological and body horror, The Brood laid the groundwork for many of the director’s films to come, but it stands on its own as a personal, singularly scary vision.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES include New, restored 2K digital transfer, supervised by director David Cronenberg, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack, New documentary about the making of the film and Cronenberg’s early work, featuring actor Samantha Eggar, producer Pierre David, cinematographer Mark Irwin, assistant director John Board, and special makeup effects artists Rick Baker (Videodrome) and Joe Blasco (Shivers and Rabid), New, restored 2K digital transfer of Crimes of the Future, a 1970 feature by Cronenberg, supervised by the director, plus a 2011 interview in which the director discusses his early films with Fangoria editor Chris Alexander, Interview from 2013 with actors Art Hindle and Cindy Hinds, Appearance by actor Oliver Reed on The Merv Griffin Show from 1980, Trailer and radio spot PLUS: An essay by critic Carrie Rickey.

Manos: The Hands of Fate (Synapse Films, Blu-ray & DVD)

Mike (Harold P. Warren) and Maggie (Diane Mahree), on a road trip with their daughter and family dog, take a wrong turn in Texas and become trapped at a weird lodge inhabited by a polygamous pagan cult. They soon find themselves in the middle of a power struggle between caretaker Torgo (John Reynolds), cult leader The Master (Tom Neyman), and two warring factions of the Master's wives. As the family tries to escape, the worshipers of Manos decide their fate...

MANOS: THE HANDS OF FATE, the sole directorial effort of Texas fertilizer salesman Harold P. Warren, perplexed even the most jaded Drive-In audiences and was deemed by many the worst movie ever made. Nearly lost, the original 16mm Ektachrome film elements have been finally unearthed and lovingly restored by Ben Solovey to create the definitive version of this accidental masterpiece. There's no other movie like MANOS...

Special Features include New 2K Restoration, Audio Commentary, Hands: The Fate of MANOS Featurette, Restoring the Hands of Fate Featurette, and FELT: The Puppet Hands of Fate Featurette.

The Phantom of the Opera: Two-Disc Collection (Kino Lorber, Blu-ray)

A forerunner of the American horror film, and one of the most lavish productions of the silent cinema, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has inspired countless remakes and imitations. But none of its successors can rival the mesmerizing blend of romance and mystery that haunts every frame of the Lon Chaney original. This edition presents the 1929 theatrical version, restored from archival 35mm elements by Film Preservation Associates. It is highlighted by the Technicolor Bal Masque sequence (in which the Phantom interrupts the revelry wearing the scarlet robes of the Red Death), as well as meticulously hand-colored sequences (replicating the Handschiegl Color Process).

The film is presented at two different historically-accurate projection speeds, each with two different soundtrack options. Also included is the 1925 theatrical version, which survives only in poor-quality prints, but contains scenes that were removed from the 1929 release version.

Special Features include Original Screenplay (91 Min. video scroll), Montage of Stills (13 Min.), Interview with composer, Gabriel Thibaudeau (9 Min.), Two travelogues by Burton Holmes, depicting Paris in 1925: PARIS FROM A MOTOR (3 1/2 Min.) and A TRIP ON THE SEINE (3 1/2 Min.).

The Return of Count Yorga (Scream Factory, Blu-ray)

A horrifying love story… with bite! When the overlord of the damned rises again to prowl the shadows, who will stand against The Return Of Count Yorga? Robert Quarry is back as one of the most dapper vampires to ever set up shop in California in this thrilling sequel that really raises the stakes. Revived by the well-known supernatural properties of the Santa Ana winds, our undead leading man takes to the streets with an unquenchable thirst. In search of new blood, Yorga moves next door to an orphanage. But when he crosses paths with a beautiful young woman, the Count’s thoughts turn to love. Has the ruler of the night finally found the girl with whom he can share eternity?

Featuring Mariette Hartley, Roger Perry and Craig T. Nelson in his screen debut, this biting vampire flick will thrill you horror fans…Yorga-nna love this one. Special Features Include Audio Commentary with Film Historian Steve Haberman and Actor Rudy De Luca, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spot, Radio Spots and Photo Gallery.

ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK:

2 Bedroom 1 Bath (Synkronized, DVD)

Bates Motel: Season Three (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Blu/Digital HD & DVD)

Class of Nuke ‘Em High 3: The Good, The Bad and The Subhumanoid (Troma Entertainment, Blu-ray)

Dexter: The Complete Series (Paramount, DVD)

The Following: Season Three (Warner Home Video, Blu/DVD/Ultraviolet & DVD)

Fright Flick (Breaking Glass Pictures, Blu-ray)

The Gallows (Warner Home Video, Blu/DVD/Digital HD & DVD)

Heroes: The Complete Series (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Blu-ray & DVD)

Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary (Scorpion Releasing, DVD)

Mosquito: 20th Anniversary (Synapse Films, Blu-ray & DVD)

Nightmare: 35th Anniversary Edition (Scorpion Releasing, DVD)