The Sorcerers: Tigon Collection – 88 Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: UK, 1967
Director: Michael Reeves
Writers: Michael Reeves, Tom Baker
Cast: Boris Karloff, Ian Ogilvy, Victor Henry, Catherine Lacey, Susan George

Release Date: August 12th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 85 Minutes 33 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £16.99 (UK)

"When aging medical hypnotist Dr. Marcus Monserrat and his wife Estelle decide they want to live beyond their years by mentally controlling the body of a younger specimen, they embroil twenty-something Mike Roscoe into their plans. But things start to go array when Estelle’s ‘experiments’ take on a more murderous tone." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation in original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio."

The Sorcerers comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.1 GB

Feature: 23.5 GB

This is another solid encode from Fidelity in Motion that takes an existing HD master, resulting in noticeable improvements. The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds excellent, the dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery (64 images - stills/posters/other promotional materials/home video art), a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an interview with Editor David Woodward titled Controlling the Cuts (13 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with assistant cameraman Don Lord titled Black Magic Camera (8 minutes 8 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Ian Ogilvy titled Can’t Get You Out of My Head (23 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio Commentary with film journalists William Fowler and Vic Pratt, an audio Commentary with film critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan, reversible cover art, a glossy O-ring (limited to the first pressing) and a 36-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with an essay titled ‘You Enjoyed it, Didn’t You?’ A Glimpse of The Sorcerers written by Johnny Mains, an interview with Tom Baker titled In Conversation with Tom Baker Screenwriter of The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General conducted by Johnny Mains, and publicity stills.

Summary:

Michael Reeves directed The Sorcerers; he died tragically from a drug overdose at the age of 25. In his all-too-brief career, Michael Reeves would also direct Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) and Witchfinder General.

A man who agrees to be part of an aging hypnotist experiment that allows the user to control the mind of another person becomes a pawn in a dangerous game when the hypnotist's wife abuses this new power.

Michael Reeves only directed three films, and though they all have horror elements, the result is three distinctly different films. And nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to Michael Reeves' growth as director. That said, how far he advanced as a filmmaker from Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) to Witchfinder General is substantial. And though Witchfinder General is widely regarded as his masterpiece, The Sorcerers is a very good film in its own right that gets lost in the shuffle between his two other films.

The Sorcerers has a very interesting premise that is full of possibilities, which Michael Reeves fully exploits for all its worth. Having two elderly people, limited in their mobility, greatly aids the story unfolding. Though the aging hypnotist had good intentions with his inventions, in the wrong hands it is dangerous. That said, what starts off as an experiment turns deadly when the aging hypnotist’s wife becomes addicted to the thrill that comes from the experiment.

Throughout his five-decade career, Boris Karloff (Frankenstein, 1931) always kept busy as an actor. And though near the end he was not in the best of health, he always remained the consummate professional who never phoned in a performance. He delivers another solid performance that actually evokes a lot of sympathy. That said, when it comes to the rest of the performances, they are best described as serviceable. Another cast member of note is Susan George (Straw Dogs), who portrays the protagonist's ex-girlfriend.

From a production standpoint, The Sorcerers is a film in which everything falls into place. The well-executed narrative does an excellent job building and maintaining tension, and the finale provides a perfect coda. Though there is some onscreen carnage, for the most part it is mild. Also, composer Paul Ferris (Witchfinder General) delivers a very effective score that does a phenomenal job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, The Sorcerers is a well-made horror film that's overflowing with atmosphere that works as well as it does because of Boris Karloff’s performance.

The Sorcerers gets an excellent release from 88 Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast): Limited Edition – Raro Video UK (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: UK/Italy, 1966
Director: Michael Reeves
Writers: Michael Reeves, Mel Welles, Charles B. Griffith, F. Amos Powell
Cast: Barbara Steele, John Karlsen, Ian Ogilvy, Mel Welles, Joe 'Flash' Riley, Richard Watson, Edward B. Randolph, Peter Grippe, Lucretia Love

Release Date: July 29th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 79 Minutes 4 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"A young British couple, Philip (Ian Ogilvy, Death Becomes Her) and Veronica (Barbara Steele, Black Sunday), are honeymooning in the remote village of Vaubrac, Transylvania. After reluctantly booking into a sleazy guesthouse, the couple encounter Von Helsing (John Karlsen, Slaughter Hotel), a direct descendant of the legendary vampire-hunter, who tells them the town was placed under a curse over 200 years ago, following the brutal execution of Vardella, a grotesque figure accused of witchcraft. Dismissing his story, the couple plan to leave the next morning – but a mysterious car accident is the catalyst for the return of Vardella and a murderous rampage of revenge…" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “High Definition digital transfer from the original camera negative".

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 31.7 GB

Feature: 22.7 GB

The source is in great shape; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid, and the image is free of any digital filtering.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Italian), 4/5 (LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, an LPCM mono mix in Italian and an LPCM mono mix in English. The English language track is a noticeable improvement over the audio track Raro used for their 2017 Blu-ray release. Both audio tracks sound clear, balanced, and robust. That said, there are a few minor source imperfections on the English language track. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track and removable English SDH for the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an archival audio interview with actress Barbara Steele titled A Bloody Journey to Italy (28 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Ian Ogilvy (12 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with author and film critic Kim Newman (19 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with producer Paul Maslansky, Ian Ogilvy and Barbara Steele, moderated by filmmaker David Gregory, reversible cover art, and a 16-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) with cast & crew information, and an essay titled She Beasts, Slapstick and Siegel Shots: Michael Reeves and the Revenge of the Blood Beast written by Kevin Lyons. 

Summary:

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) was directed by Michael Reeves, who would die tragically from a drug overdose just a few years after completing the film at the very young age of 25. In his all-too-brief career, Michael Reeves would also direct The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General. The score for the U.S. version was composed by Ralph Ferraro (Flesh Gordon), while the original score was composed by Paul Ferris, who also wrote scores for Michael Reeves' two other films, The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General.

Newlyweds on vacation in Transylvania have their honeymoon interrupted when their car loses control and falls into a lake. A two-hundred-year-old spirit, having drowned centuries ago in the same lake, takes over the body of the wife, leaving her husband with only slight bruises. An eccentric old man named Count von Helsing tries to help the husband find his missing wife; he believes that a two-hundred-year-old spirit has taken possession of her.

Despite being shot on a shoestring budget, the end result is a film that far exceeds the sum of its parts. For the first time, director Michael Reeves does a remarkable job when it comes to the performances and the visuals. In regards to the latter, Michael Reeves takes full advantage of the 2.35:1 scope frame. The most memorable moment is a scene where a witch is drowned; this moment foreshadows Michael Reeves' Witchfinder General.

The narrative takes many familiar cliches and names from other horror films. And despite retreading familiar territory, the narrative is an entertaining romp that manages to remain engaging throughout its duration. That said, the anticlimactic ending feels rushed. Also, at 79 minutes in length, Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is a film that never overstays its welcome.

The performances are much better than they should be, and in several instances they exceed expectations, especially Mel Welles’ (Lady Frankenstein) portrayal of Ladislav Groper, a peeping Tom motel owner. Of course the main draw is Barbara Steele (Black Sunday) in the role of the wife. The main attraction of Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is Barbara Steele (Black Sunday) in the role of the wife. And though her screen time is limited, she’s in some of the most memorable moments.

Though billed as a horror film, Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is actually a satisfying blend of horror and humor. The newlyweds' interactions with the Transylvania locals are the source of the humor. Unfortunately, when it comes to moments of fright Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) has few to offer. Ultimately, Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is a flawed but entertaining film that greatly benefits from Barbara Steele’s participation.

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is another solid release from Raro UK, who continue to best their U.S. releases, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Witchfinder General: Tigon Collection – 88 Films (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: UK, 1968
Director: Michael Reeves
Writers: Michael Reeves, Tom Baker, Louis M. Heyward
Cast: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Rupert Davies, Patrick Wymark, Wilfrid Brambell, Hilary Dwyer

Release Date: March 25th, 2024
Approximate Running Times: 86 Minutes 35 Seconds (UK Version), 86 Minutes 47 Seconds (U.S. Version)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10 (Both Versions)
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English (Both Versions)
Subtitles: English (Both Versions)
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region B (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: £29.99 (UK)

"With the English Civil War raging, Witchfinder Matthew Hopkins uses the fear and confusion caused by the conflict to enact his forms of cruelty and extortion on a small rural community. He and his sadistic assistant John Stearne exploit the uneducated villagers for cash and gold, laying waste to transgressors with their reign of torture and execution. But one man, a young soldier arrives to go after the pair in a fit of bloody revenge." - synopsis provided by the distributor

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

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives".

Witchfinder General comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 60.9 GB

Feature: 55.3 GB

This release uses seamless branching for the two versions. For this release, a brand new 4K source has been created that looks excellent, and when compared to this film’s previous Blu-ray releases, it is vastly superior in every way. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic. Also, this is another exemplary encode from Fidelity in Motion.

Witchfinder General comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.4 GB

Feature: 24.4 GB

The Blu-ray uses the same source as the 4K UHD does for its transfer. This release uses seamless branching for the two versions.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English - Witchfinder General, DTS-HD Mono English - The Conqueror Worm)

Each version comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English, and both versions come with removable English subtitles. Both audio tracks are in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Range-wise, ambient sounds are well-represented, and both tracks sound robust when they should. The U.S. version The Conqueror Worm has an alternate score.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a U.S. theatrical trailer under the title The Conqueror Worm (2 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a UK theatrical trailer (2 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), three alternate scenes from U.S. version (3 minutes 46 seconds, LPCM mono English with removable English SDH) and an audio commentary with Kim Newman and Sean Hogan for the UK version.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a U.S. theatrical trailer under the title The Conqueror Worm (2 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a UK theatrical trailer (2 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), three alternate scenes from U.S. version (3 minutes 46 seconds, LPCM mono English with removable English SDH), a featurette titled The Editing of Witchfinder General featuring interviews with film editor Howard Lanning, assistant editor Marion Curren and assistant sound editor Jonathan Morris (32 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with writer and filmmaker Adam Scovell titled Which Witch is Which? (21 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Ian Ogilvy titled Back on the Horse (22 minutes 13 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles) and an audio commentary with Kim Newman and Sean Hogan for the UK version.

Other extras include reversible cover art, glossy O-ring (limited to the first pressing) and a 28-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with an essay titled Witchfinder General: An Appreciation written by John Llewellyn Probert and an essay titled The She Beast - A Prelude to Witchfinder General written by Matthew Edwards.

Summary:

Witchfinder General was directed by Michael Reeves, who would die tragically from a drug overdose just a few years after completing the film at the very young age of 25. In his all-too-brief career, Michael Reeves would also direct The She-Beast (1966) and The Sorcerers (1967). The screenplay for Witchfinder General was adapted from Ronald Bassett’s novel of the same name. Being that The Witchfinder General was a co-production with AIP (American International Pictures), it is not surprising that the film’s alternate title of The Conqueror Worm was used for the film’s U.S. release, since AIP had already at that point produced a slew of Edgar Allen Poe-inspired films. 

The cinematographer on Witchfinder General was John Coquillon, whose other notable films as a cinematographer include Curse of the Crimson Altar, Straw Dogs, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and The Oblong Box (a film that Michael Reeves was originally slated to direct).

In lesser hands, Witchfinder General would be nothing more than your standard exploitation yarn about witchcraft. Instead, what emerges is a thought-provoking look into the darkest sides of humanity. Narratively speaking, the Witchfinder General quickly sets the mood with an opening lynching of a witch. After this scene, there is some very brief set-up involving a civil war and a love story between the daughter of a priest and a soldier. Thankfully, both of these things are primarily kept on the back burner. With the scenes revolving around the Matthew Hopkins character (aka the witchfinder general).

Content-wise, there are many elements in Witchfinder General that one would associate with the horror film genre, and yet to merely classify it as a horror film would be doing it a great disservice. Notable in terms of the unflinching and often gruesome violence depicted in Witchfinder General. 

Another area in which Witchfinder General excels are the performances from its entire cast, especially Vincent Price (The Last Man on Earth), who gives his most restrained performance of his career. Reportedly, Vincent Price and director Michael Reeves disagreed on how he should portray Matthew Hopkins. Michael Reeves insisted on Vincent Price's performance being more detached than his usual hamming it up. Another performance of note is Hilary Dwyer (The Oblong Box) in the role of Sara Lowes, this film's only fleshed-out female character. With the film's finale, in which her character is being tortured by Matthew Hopkins, being its most horrific moment.

Though the breadth of his cinematic cannon is limited to three films, Michael Reeves' journey as a filmmaker has been truly remarkable. And while it is undeniable that Witchfinder General is his crowning achievement as a filmmaker, knowing that this was a cinematic swan song only emphasizes how tragic his death was for the world of cinema.

Witchfinder General gets a phenomenal release from 88 Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of insightful extras, highly 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 VLC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Witchfinder General – Screenbound (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: UK, 1968
Director: Michael Reeves
Writers: Michael Reeves, Tom Baker, Louis M. Heyward
Cast: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Rupert Davies, Patrick Wymark, Wilfrid Brambell, Hilary Dwyer

Release Date: June 13th, 2011
Approximate Running Time: 86 Minutes 44 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 18 (UK)
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £14.99

"England is in civil war as the Royalists battle Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads for control. This conflict distracts people from rational thought and allows unscrupulous men to gain power by exploiting village superstitions. One of these men is Matthew Hopkins (Vincent Price), who tours the land offering his services as a persecutor of witches. Aided by his sadistic accomplice John Stearne (Robert Russell), he travels from town to town and wrenches confessions from “witches” in order to line his pockets." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4/5

Witchfinder General comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 24.7 GB

Feature: 18.7 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape. Colors look correct; the image generally looks crisp; black levels are strong; compression is very good; and DNR is kept in check.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English. There are no issues with background hiss or distortion; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. That said, range-wise, things are limited. There are no subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery with music from the film playing in the background, a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 31 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), alternate opening and closing credits (6 minutes 25 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), alternate scenes from export version (5 minutes 10 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a short film directed by Michael Reeves titled Intrusion with optional audio commentary with Michael Reeves biographer Benjamin Halligan and Director Michael Armstrong (10 minutes 27 seconds, no sound), Vincent Price on Aspel & Company (10 minutes 9 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a documentary titled Bloody Crimes: Witchcraft and Matthew Hopkins (23 minutes 41 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a career retrospective documentary about Michael Reeves titled ‘The Blood Beast: The Films of Michael Reeves (23 minutes 52 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Benjamin Halligan and Michael Armstrong.

Summary:

Witchfinder General was directed by Michael Reeves, who would die tragically from a drug overdose just a few years after completing the film at the very young age of 25. In his all-too-brief career, Michael Reeves would also direct The She-Beast (1966) and The Sorcerers (1967). The screenplay for Witchfinder General was adapted from Ronald Bassett’s novel of the same name. Being that The Witchfinder General was a co-production with AIP (American International Pictures), it is not surprising that the film’s alternate title of The Conqueror Worm was used for the film’s U.S. release, since AIP had already at that point produced a slew of Edgar Allen Poe-inspired films. 

The cinematographer on Witchfinder General was John Coquillon, whose other notable films as a cinematographer include Curse of the Crimson Altar, Straw Dogs, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and The Oblong Box (a film that Michael Reeves was originally slated to direct).

In lesser hands, Witchfinder General would be nothing more than your standard exploitation yarn about witchcraft. Instead, what emerges is a thought-provoking look into the darkest sides of humanity. Narratively speaking, the Witchfinder General quickly sets the mood with an opening lynching of a witch. After this scene, there is some very brief set-up involving a civil war and a love story between the daughter of a priest and a soldier. Thankfully, both of these things are primarily kept on the back burner. With the scenes revolving around the Matthew Hopkins character (aka the witchfinder general).

Content-wise, there are many elements in Witchfinder General that one would associate with the horror film genre, and yet to merely classify it as a horror film would be doing it a great disservice. Notable in terms of the unflinching and often gruesome violence depicted in Witchfinder General. 

Another area in which Witchfinder General excels are the performances from its entire cast, especially Vincent Price (The Last Man on Earth), who gives his most restrained performance of his career. Reportedly, Vincent Price and director Michael Reeves disagreed on how he should portray Matthew Hopkins. Michael Reeves insisted on Vincent Price's performance being more detached than his usual hamming it up. Another performance of note is Hilary Dwyer (The Oblong Box) in the role of Sara Lowes, this film's only fleshed-out female character. With the film's finale, in which her character is being tortured by Matthew Hopkins, being its most horrific moment.

Though the breadth of his cinematic cannon is limited to three films, Michael Reeves' journey as a filmmaker has been truly remarkable. And while it is undeniable that Witchfinder General is his crowning achievement as a filmmaker, knowing that this was a cinematic swan song only emphasizes how tragic his death was for the world of cinema.

Witchfinder General gets a solid release from Screenbound that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of informative extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer