Scream
and Scream Again (1970/American International/Orion/MGM/Twilight
Time Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B Film: C+
PLEASE
NOTE: This Blu-ray is now only available from our friends
at Twilight Time, is limited to only 3,000 copies and can be ordered
while supplies last from the link below.
From
Director Gordon Hessler comes the British '70s science fiction/horror
film, Scream and Scream Again, which is based on a book by
Peter Saxon. The twisted tale stars the '70s horror power trio of
Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing (in a cameo role).
The mad scientist tale has a off-kilter and non-sequential narrative
structure that at first is hard to piece together until the second
act, when characters start crossing paths with one another. Half mad
scientist film, half mystery and suspense, this film has been
recognized as one of the best British sci-fi flicks and is now
beautifully restored by Twilight Time.
Heading
British Intelligence, Fremont (Christopher Lee) carries a heavy
workload, what with killers, mad scientists and all. While a serial
killer with a penchant for drinking his victim's blood runs rampant,
the murderous and deranged Dr. Browning (Vincent Price) engages in
harvesting body parts to conduct his experiments. The lead man on
the case, Detective Bellaver (Alfred Marks), tries to piece it all
together, while a fascist leader (Peter Cushing) pulls strings from
behind the scenes.
The
score by David Whitaker (which we get to view in an isolated score
track on this great disc) is very '70s funk and at times seems a
little off at some of the more suspenseful moments of the film but is
still fun. The cinematography is shot beautifully by John Coquillon,
especially the dark nightclub scenes where a female victim is
abducted by a serial killer and the sterile environment of the
laboratory where the film's final act occurs. Most of the violence
in the film is implied but you will definitely fear the bubbly acid
tank that dissolves its victims as seen on the poster.
Restored
from its original elements into a crisp 1080p high definition
transfer in 1.85:1 widescreen, the film looks and sounds incredible
on Blu-ray. A lush English 1.0 DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) Mono track
captures the audio effortlessly that makes this 1970 film look as if
it were shot today. There are also English SDH subtitles on the disc
as well for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Extras
are aplenty including:
Isolated
Score Track
Audio
Commentary with Film Historians David Del Valle and Tim Sullivan
Gentleman
Gothic: Gordon Hessler at AIP
An
Interview with Uta Levka
Still
Gallery
Radio
Spot
Original
Theatrical Trailer
There's
also a reversible cover with excellent artwork and a linear book with
great notes on the film and full color photos. Truly, this is a
great release that you will definitely want to add to your Vincent
Price collection, et al.
To
order this limited edition Blu-ray, buy it and other great exclusive
releases while supplies last at these links:
www.screenarchives.com
and
http://www.twilighttimemovies.com/
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
