The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine – Indicator Series (4k UHD)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1974
Director: Sergio Grieco
Writers: Sergio Grieco, Luigi Mordini
Cast: Françoise Prévost, Jenny Tamburi, Paolo Malco, Franco Ressel, Gino Rocchetti, Bruna Beani, Dada Gallotti, Adriana Facchetti, Cinzia Greco, Eleonora Spinelli, Aldina Martano, Piero Anchisi, Calisto Calisti, Corrado Gaipa

Release Date: October 19th, 2026 (UK), October 20th (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 93 Minutes 19 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: 18 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $49.95 (USA)

"In sixteenth-century Spain, Lucita (Tamburi) is forced into a convent by her family to separate her from her lover, Estaban (Malco). Infiltrating the convent, Esteban uncovers the depraved regime of the abbess (Prévost), placing his beloved Lucita in the hands of the Inquisitor (Corrado Gaipa, The Godfather)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine was scanned, restored, and color corrected in 4K HDR (Dolby Vision) at Filmfinity, London, using the original 35mm negative. Phoenix image-processing tools were used to remove many thousands of instances of dirt, eliminate scratches and other imperfections, as well as repair damaged frames. No grain management, edge enhancement, or sharpening tools were employed to artificially alter the image in any way.”

The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 61.6 GB

Feature: 56.5 GB

The source looks excellent; it is a massive improvement over the Redemption Films 2013 Blu-ray release. Flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono Italian with removable English subtitles. The track sounds clear, clear, and balanced. While not the most immersive soundtrack, ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (10 images—stills/posters), an interview with David Grieco titled The Genetics of Celluloid, who discusses his uncle Sergio Grieco and the Italian film industry (24 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a far-reaching documentary exploring the ‘nunsploitation’ subgenre titled Nuns Upon a Time... in Italy, featuring comments from The Killer Nun director Giulio Berruti, The Other Hell director Claudio Fragasso, actors Renato Rossini, Martine Brochard, Eleonora Giorgi, and Zora Kerowa, and film historians Corrado Columbo and Eugenio Ercolani (48 minutes 27 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English and Italian with removable English subtitles), an audio commentary with film critics Rod Barnett and Adrian Smith, reversible cover art, and a 36-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled The Other Face of Madness written by Miranda Corcoran, an archival article on ‘nunsploitation’ titled A New Trend Appears on Italian Screens written by CG, an archival writing titled She Debuts in a Bold Part, But Dreams of The Betrothed written by Alberto Ceretto, an archival interview with actress Jenny Tamburi conducted by Manlio Gomarasca and David Pulici, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Sergio Grieco directed The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine. He’s known for Mission Bloody Mary, From the Orient with Fury, Special Mission Lady Chaplin, Argoman the Fantastic Superman, Tiffany Memorandum, Violence for Kicks, and Beast with a Gun.

A woman’s family forces her to become a nun to keep her from the man she loves. While inside the convent, an investigator visits; she’s accused of heresy and condemned to death. Will a higher power come to her rescue or is fate already sealed?

Although Ken Russell’s The Devil’s is the film that truly ignited the nunsploitation genre cycle in Italy, it is important to note that two years prior to its release, The Lady of Monza was the first Italian nunsploitation film. While many of the most notorious films in this genre pushed the boundaries of deviant acts, The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine stands out as one of the most sanitized entries. That said, The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine saves its most shocking and deviant moment for its finale, a scene where the inquisitor walls in the abbess and the nuns, sealing them off from the outside world.

When it comes to the performances, the most memorable is Françoise Prévost’s (Paris Belongs to Us) portrayal of The Abbess. Her character is not who she pretends to be; she’s the source for most of the convent's perversions. Every time there's a new nun, she sleeps with them and then has them killed. Other cast members of note are Jenny Tamburi (Smile Before Death) in the role of Lucita, the woman forced to become a nun, and Paolo Malco (The New York Ripper) in the role of Lucita’s lover Esteban.

While the opening setup does a good job drawing you in, a slow-moving narrative often disrupts momentum. Visually there are several striking moments, all of which involve nuns being naughty or punished. Ultimately, The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine is a by-the-numbers nunsploitation film, only recommended for completists.

The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine gets an excellent release from Powerhouse Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras.

Note: This release is a limited edition of 6,000 numbered units (4,000 4K UHDs and 2,000 Blu-rays) for the UK and US.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

ThanksKilling 3: Collector's Edition – MVD Rewind Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 2012
Director: Jordan Downey
Writers: Jordan Downey, Michael W. Downey, Kevin Stewart
Cast: Daniel Usaj, Joe Hartzler, Preston Altree, Benjamin Siemon, Mike Litzenberg, Bridge Stuart, Wanda Lust, Christina Blevins

Release Date: November 10th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 99 Minutes 16 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 English, LPCM Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"When Turkie learns that the movie"ThanksKilling 2" - the centerpiece of his master plan for world domination - has been abruptly canned, he launches a vengeful hunt for its last remaining copy. His search spirals into a chaotic odyssey through wormholes and a bizarre handmade universe, where only a puppet heroine named Yomi and her raunchy puppet friends stand in his way. " – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.5/5

ThanksKilling 3 comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.3 GB

Feature: 23.9 GB

The digital source looks excellent; the flesh tones and colors appear accurate. Image clarity is strong, black levels are deep, and there are no compression issues.

Audio: 5/5 (Both Audio Tracks)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English and a LPCM stereo mix in English. Both tracks sound clear, balanced, and robust when they should. Included are removable English SDH.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a brown band trailer (1 minute 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), the original trailer (1 minute 35 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a behind-the-scenes photo gallery with music from the film playing in the background, Thankskilling 2 artwork gallery with music from the film playing in the background, The Pluckmaster 3000 Infomercial (1 minute 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Flowis Rap music video (1 minute 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a behind-the-scenes featurette titled Frakenturkey (4 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with music from the film playing in the background and text in English), a behind-the-scenes featurette titled Skeleturkey Graveyard (8 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with music from the film playing in the background and text in English), a behind-the-scenes featurette titled The Flame Thrower (1 minute 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with music from the film playing in the background and text in English), a behind-the-scenes featurette titled Nerd Worms Lair (1 minute 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with music from the film playing in the background and text in English), a behind-the-scenes featurette titled Pluckmaster (4 minutes 22 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with music from the film playing in the background and text in English), a behind-the-scenes featurette titled Thanksgiven Land Sign (1 minute 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with music from the film playing in the background and text in English), a behind-the-scenes featurette titled Turkie’s House (13 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo with music from the film playing in the background and text in English), a featurette titled Uncle Donny Cam (11 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Dan Usaj aka Uncle Donny (64 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with creators Kevin Stewart and Jordan Downey and producer Ricky Fosheim (146 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with screenwriter Michael Downey, an archival audio commentary with Jordan Downey and Kevin Stewart titled How Did We End Up Here?, an archival technical audio commentary with creators Jordan Downey and Kevin Stewart, a collectible mini-poster (limited to the first pressing), and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

A foul-mouthed killer turkey's quiet life as a family man is disrupted when all copies of a movie about him are destroyed. Upon hearing the news, the turkey becomes enraged and goes on a killing spree.

The opening scene depicts a woman astronaut floating through space, her nude chest exposed, when she is confronted by a turkey armed with a laser gun that slices her in half. While this moment feels like an odd way to open a film, it makes more sense as the narrative progresses. The scene was from Thankskilling 2, a movie that is widely regarded as the worst ever made, and all but one copy have been destroyed. From there, the foul-mouthed killer turkey searches for the last remaining copy of his life's work while encountering a cast of colorful characters/puppets.

Instead of retreading familiar ground, Thankskilling 3 goes in a completely different direction. Where its predecessor was a film that firmly fit into a slasher genre, Thankskilling 3 is a melting pot of genres that plays things mostly for laughs. Unfortunately, when it comes to the humor, it is not as successful this time around.

Another way that Thankskilling 3 is inferior to its predecessor is its 99-minute length. Where Thankskilling had a lean 66-minute running that never overstayed its welcome, Thankskilling 3 often drags and never establishes any momentum. That said, while everything in Thankskilling 3 is bigger and better executed from a production standpoint, the result is a film that most who enjoyed its predecessor will find it a chore to get through.

Thankskilling 3 has never looked or sounded better and it comes with a wealth of extras.

Written by Michael Den Boer

ThanksKilling: Collector's Edition – MVD Rewind Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 2008
Director: Jordan Downey
Writers: Jordan Downey, Brad Schulz, Kevin Stewart, Anthony Wilson, Grant Yaffee
Cast: Wanda Lust, Natasha Cordova, Lindsey Anderson, Lance Predmore, Aaron Ringhiser-Carlson, Ryan E. Francis, General Bastard, Jake, Chuck Lamb, Pat Love

Release Date: November 10th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 66 Minutes 38 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"When a wisecracking killer turkey rises from its grave, a group of unsuspecting college kids must survive a Thanksgiving nightmare unlike any other." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.25/5

ThanksKilling comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.8 GB

Feature: 16.1 GB

Shot on the digital, the source looks excellent; the flesh tones and colors look correct; the image clarity is strong; the black levels fare well; and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in English with removable English SDH. The track sounds clear, balanced, and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include the original trailer (1 minute 26 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), official stills with music from the film playing in the background, fan art and pictures with music from the film playing in the background, a behind-the-scenes photo gallery with music from the film playing in the background, ThanksKilling soundboard app interface video, a blooper reel (5 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival featurette titled Prop Unboxing (49 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Jordan Downey behind-the-scenes featurette from 2022 (2 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Jordan Downey Facebook Live 2019 (76 minutes 50 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Jordan Downey Facebook Live 2020 (115 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with creators Kevin Stewart and Jordan Downey (142 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Lance Predmore (52 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Ryan Francis (74 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Aaron Carlson (53 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actress Lindsey Anderson (63 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a Behind the Scenes with Kevin Stewart and Jordan Downey recording the 2007 audio commentary (37 minutes 53 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with Kevin Stewart and Jordan Downey recorded in 2007; an archival audio commentary with Kevin Stewart and Jordan Downey recorded in 2011; a collectible mini-poster (limited to the first pressing), and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Five friends who are forced to camp in the woods are targeted by a killer turkey that’s resurrected after a dog pisses on its grave.

Although Thankskilling closely follows the slasher film blueprint, featuring stalk-and-kill carnage and stereotypical characters, it stands out as one of the more unique entries in the genre. What distinguishes Thankskilling from other slasher films is that its killer is a turkey, rather than the more familiar psychopath or an evil entity not of human flesh. That said, the turkey in Thankskilling is a fowl-mouthed killing machine that feeds off of its victims.

While the cast are nothing more than props that further the story along, the makeup is a familiar group of characters: the jock, the nerd, the hillbilly, the slut, and the final girl. When it comes to the special effects, they are good all things considered, and the kill scenes are sufficiently gory. Like a lot of more recent horror films, Thankskilling leans into comedy, and fortunately the humor works more than it fails.

The narrative keeps things simple and it is very effective at building momentum to a final showdown finale between the killer turkey and the final girl. Some of the more outrageous moments include a scene where the turkey kills a boy during a sexual encounter and then attacks the girl, as well as a scene where the turkey carjacks a man, shoots him in the head with a shotgun, and drives off. Ultimately, Thankskilling makes no attempt to break new ground or pretend to be something it is not; it is a film that understands its audience.

Thankskilling has never looked or sounded better and it comes with a wealth of extras.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

Surf Nazis Must Die!: Special Edition – Troma Films (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1987
Director: Peter George
Writers: Jon Ayre, Peter George
Cast: Gail Neely, Robert Harden, Barry Brenner, Dawn Wildsmith, Michael Sonye, Joel Hile, Ryan Fegley, Gene Mitchell, Tom Shell

Release Date: October 27th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 82 Minutes 16 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10 Dolby Vision
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD, Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $39.95

"After a devastating earthquake leaves California's coastline in ruins, rival surfer gangs battle for control of the shattered beaches until Adolf and his neo-Nazi surf punks seize power. Their reign of terror comes to an abrupt end when they murder Leroy, the son of the formidable Mama Washington, who arms herself with guns and grenades before embarking on an unforgettable campaign of bloody revenge." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (4K UHD), 4.25/5 (Blu-ray)

Surf Nazis Must Die! comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 60.5 GB

Feature: 54 GB

Outside of some very minor white specks, the bulk of the source looks excellent. Flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are solid, there are no issues with compression, and the image retains an organic appearance.

Surf Nazis Must Die! comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32 GB

Feature: 23.4 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD stereo mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles) and a Projection Booth podcast audio interview with director Peter George (71 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles).

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), the original DVD release introduction (53 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), the original Blu-ray release introduction (1 minute 46 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), 6 deleted scenes with Peter George audio commentary (7 minutes 9 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival featurette titled Scenes From The Tromaville Cafe (3 minutes 29 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Peter George titled Who Controls The Beaches? (8 minutes 56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Waves Are A War Zone interview with producer Robert Tinnell (1 minute 53 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Waves Are A War Zone interview with Peter George (3 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and a Projection Booth podcast audio interview with Peter George (71 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles). 

Other Blu-ray extras include Independent Artists VS. Corrupt Cartels (9 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Radiation March (53 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Soul of Troma (2 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), “INNARDS” music video (1 minute 50 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), The Toxic Avenger in Ukraine (1 minute 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Troma Sleepover (2 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and trailers for Shakespeare’s Shitstorm, Eating Miss Campbell, Curse of the Werewolf, Kill Dolly Doll, Divide & Conquer, The Toxic Avenger, Class of Nume ‘Em High, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., and Rise of the Super Tromettes.

Other extras include a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Los Angeles is in chaos and overrun by gangs wanting to control the beach after an 8.6 earthquake devastates it.

Surf Nazis Must Die! is a disaster-themed action/drama that has post-apocalyptic vibes. The narrative revolves around a neo-Nazi surf gang lead by Adolf. When they surf Nazis to form a collision with rival beach gangs, it backfires and leads to an all-out war. The locales are being robbed by the surf Nazis while they battle rival gangs. The surf Nazis seal their fate when they kill a good Samaritan, and his gun-toting mama unleashes her wrath on them.

While Surf Nazis Must Die! features many elements typical of Troma Films, it stands out as one of their pickups that doesn’t seem to aspire to be a Troma film. The premise is certainly outlandish and the politically incorrect humor aligns with the typical Troma style. That said, Surf Nazis Must Die! is relatively mild regarding onscreen violence when compared to other Troma productions. Despite its differences, Surf Nazis Must Die! ultimately aligns well with the type of movies for which Troma is known.

The premise is well-executed; it is perfectly complemented by subversive humor. The narrative creates a good momentum as it builds upon one outrageous moment after another. While the performances are not going to win any awards, it is easy to get caught up in the cast's enthusiasm. The standout performance is Gail Neely, who portrays Eleanor ‘Mama’ Washington, who goes on a rampage after her son is murdered. Another performance of note is Barry Brenner’s portrayal of Adolf, a metrosexual caricature of Germany’s infamous Führer. Ultimately, Surf Nazis Must Die! shares a common trait with many Troma films: it tends to divide its audience. The only way to determine your personal opinion about this film is to watch it.

Surf Nazis Must Die! has been released on 4K UHD, featuring a notable upgrade that greatly improves the audio and video quality compared to earlier home media versions. Additionally, it comes with a wealth of extras. Recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Scarlet Sails: Standard Edition – Deaf Crocodile (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Soviet Union, 1961
Director: Aleksandr Ptushko
Writers: Alexandr Yurovsky, Semyon Nagorny
Cast: Anastasiya Vertinskaya, Vasily Lanovoy, Yelena Cheremshanova, Aleksandr Lupenko, Ivan Pereverzev, Nikolay Volkov, Sergei Romodanov, Oleg Anofriyev, Zoya Fyodorova, Pavel Massalsky, Grigory Shpigel

Release Date: December 15th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 86 Minutes 59 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Russian
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"Adapted from the novel by famed Russian author Alexander Grin, the film follows two parallel stories: the first about Assol, daughter of an impoverished sailor (Ivan Pereverzev from SADKO and NEBO ZOVYOT). As a young girl, an old storyteller predicts her destiny: "One day the sun will shine upon a white ship with scarlet sails. The white ship will slice through the waves and move right towards you." This shimmering dream sustains her into adulthood when she's played by the luminous Anastasiya Vertinskaya (WAR & PEACE, THE AMPHIBIAN MAN). The second story revolves around Arthur, the rebellious son of an aristocrat, who only dreams of shipwrecks, pirates and going off to sea" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New 4K restoration from the original 35mm picture and sound elements by Mosfilm."

Scarlet Sails comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.5 GB

Feature: 24.8 GB

The source is in excellent shape; flesh tones and colors look correct, image clarity and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Russian with removable English subtitles. The track sounds clean, clear, and balanced, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a video essay by film historian Celeste de la Cabra titled Scarlet Sails: Man-Made Miracles and Godless Fairy Tales (10 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a video conversation with Eisner Award-winning comics artist, film historian, and author Stephen R. Bissette and film critic and author Tim Lucas (59 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with author and film historian Rich Johnson, and a 48-page booklet with an essay titled Scarlet Sails written by Peter Rollberg, an essay titled Scarlet Sails written by Walter Chaw, In Memoriam—Tony Stella, and information about the transfer.

Other extras are trailers for Ilya Muromets (3 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with text in English), Sampo (3 minutes 22 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Russian with non-removable English subtitles), The Tale of Tsar Saltan (2 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with text in English), and Ruslan and Ludmila (1 minute 42 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with text in English).

Summary:

Scarlet Sails was directed by Aleksandr Ptushko, who's been referred to as the Soviet Ray Harryhausen because of his work in special effects, notably stop-motion animation. Notable films he directed are Ilya Muromets, Sampo, The Tale of Tsar Saltan, and Ruslan and Ludmila.

The narrative revolves around a young girl named Assol, who’s raised by her longshoreman father after her mother dies. One day, Assol meets a sorcerer in the woods, who tells her when a ship with scarlet sails arrives, a noble prince will be onboard, and he will take her away. Running parallel with Assol’s story is about a young prince named Arthur, who rejects his family's wealth and has dreams of becoming a captain of a ship.

Although Scarlet Sails has fantasy elements, what unfolds is more reality-based than Aleksandr Ptushko's other films. Central to the story that unfolds is a miracle that brings Assol and Arthur together, while it bears all the hallmarks of a miracle: Scarlet Sails emphasizes the role we play in shaping our destinies. Besides destiny, another theme Scarlet Sails explores is individuality vs. conformity.

The opening setup does a phenomenal job setting the foundation for what unfolds. It opens with a scene where Assol’s father, a longshoreman, has returned home to discover that his wife has died. A neighbor explains what happened to Assol’s father’s wife through a flashback. The narrative remains consistently engaging, and one of its key strengths lies in its ability to balance the stories of Assol and Arthur.

All around, the cast are excellent in their roles. The production design is exemplary, and it does a superb job drawing you into the world being depicted. Visually, Scarlet Sails takes advantage of its scenic landscapes and is filled with many striking moments. Ultimately, Scarlet Sails is a well-crafted romantic fairy tale that examines the resilience of the human spirit.

Scarlet Sails gets an excellent release from Deaf Crocodile that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras. Highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer