Shopping Calendar: Recent Releases

The Curse of Frankenstein

The Curse of Frankenstein is a 1957 UK Sci-Fi horror thriller by Terence Fisher
Starring Peter Cushing, Hazel Court and Robert Urquhart

Cut by the BBFC for 1957 cinema release. These cuts persisted into home video until the 2012 restoration on Blu-ray when of the cuts was restored. Meanwhile the film has dropped down the BBFC age ratings from X in 1957 to 15 in 1989 to 12 in 2003. The cut UK version is MPAA R rated but the 2020 restored Blu-ray release is MPA Unrated and so is presumably the uncut version.

Summary Notes

While awaiting execution for murder, Baron Victor Frankenstein tells the story of a creature he built and brought to life - only for it to behave not as he intended.

• 2025 Warner Archive R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 14th October 2025
• 2025 Warner Archive Amazon VoD [US] at US Amazon #ad

Promotional Material

Driven by obsession and defying the laws of nature, Baron Victor Frankenstein dares to reanimate the dead, creating not just life, but a monstrous force beyond his control. As his experiments spiral into madness, Frankenstein must confront the consequences of playing God in a world unprepared for the horrors he unleashes. A milestone in cinema, The Curse of Frankenstein launched Hammer's iconic Gothic horror cycle and redefined the genre with shocking colour, psychological intensity, and unforgettable performances. This new 4K UHD Deluxe Collector's Edition boasts a new 4K HDR restoration from Hammer Films in association with the Warner Archive Collection. The film is presented in 3 different aspect ratios, and is accompanied by hours and hours of new special features.

Death Packs a Suitcase

Death Packs a Suitcase is a 1972 West Germany/Spain/UK crime horror thriller by Jesús Franco
Starring Horst Tappert, Fred Williams and Barbara Rütting

There are no censorship issues with this release

Summary Notes

A London slasher pack the suitcases of his victims before stabbing them to death in this adaptation of Edgar Wallace's 'Secret of the Black Suitcases.'

• 2025 Kino Cult (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 14th October 2025
• 2025 Kino Cult Amazon VoD [US] at US Amazon #ad

Promotional Material

A black-gloved killer stalks London, packing the suitcases of their victims before murdering them with an exotic dagger. Surrounded by potential suspects but lacking hard evidence, a smooth-talking Inspector (Fred Williams, The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse) seeks the help of famous crime-novelist Charles Barton (Horst Tappert, German TVs Derrick). Euro-horror filmmaker Jess Franco took a break from his decadent sex thrillers (Vampyros Lesbos) to demonstrate his versatility with this whodunit. Working carefully within the genre of the German 'Krimi' film, Franco nevertheless managed to infuse the film with personal touches: dynamic camerawork, seductive women, comic flourishes, all set to a jazz soundtrack by Rolf Kühn. Also released as Der Todesrächer von Soho (The Avenger of Soho), Death Packs a Suitcase was adapted from a story by Bryan Edgar Wallace, who carried on the literary tradition of his father, legendary mystery-writer Edgar Wallace (The Dark Eyes of London).

Special Features:
- Audio Commentary by Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson

Eyes Without a Face

Eyes Without a Face is a 1960 France/Italy horror drama by Georges Franju
Starring Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli and Juliette Mayniel

Cut for both UK and US cinema release. Uncut in the US from 2003

Summary Notes

A surgeon causes a car accident which leaves his daughter disfigured and goes to extreme lengths to give her a new face.

• 2025 The Criterion Collection R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 14th October 2025
• 2025 The Criterion Collection Amazon VoD [US] at US Amazon #ad

Promotional Material

At his secluded château in the French countryside, a brilliant, obsessive doctor (Pierre Brasseur) attempts a radical plastic surgery to restore the beauty of his daughters disfigured countenance--at a horrifying price. Eyes Without a Face, directed by the supremely talented Georges Franju, is rare in horror cinema for its odd mixture of the ghastly and the lyrical, and it has been a major influence on the genre in the decades since its release. There are images here--of terror, of gore, of inexplicable beauty--that once seen are never forgotten.

4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

• New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
• One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
• Blood of the Beasts, Georges Franjus 1949 documentary about the slaughterhouses of Paris
• Archival interviews with Franju on the horror genre, cinema, and the making of Blood of the Beasts
• Interview with actor Edith Scob
• Excerpts from Les grand-pères du crime, a 1985 documentary about screenwriters Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac
• Trailers
• PLUS: Essays by novelist Patrick McGrath and film historian David Kalat

Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS

Ilsa: She Wolf of the SS is a 1975 Canada war horror thriller by Don Edmonds
Starring Dyanne Thorne, Gregory Knoph and Tony Mumolo

Banned by the BBFC for 1975 and 1976 cinema release. Not submitted since. Uncut and Unrated in the US

Summary Notes

A sadistic warden at a Nazi death camp conducts "medical experiments" to prove that women are more resilient than men, all while a revolt is being plotted by a prisoner she takes a fancy to.

• 2025 Kino Cult R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 14th October 2025

Promotional Material

The textbook example of Nazisploitation, and a cornerstone of the 1970s sexploitation cinema, Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS dramatizes the atrocities performed by a sadistic commandant (Dyanne Thorne) at a German concentration camp. Ilsa uses male prisoners as sexual playthings and women as subjects of medical torture, then brutally executes all who fail to satisfy her unholy desires. Despite being condemned by film critic Gene Siskel as the most degenerate picture I have seen... a textbook for rapists and mutilation freaks, Don Edmonds's orgy of violence became a runaway success, immortalizing Thorne as a grindhouse goddess and inspiring three sequels and a host of imitations, none of which could rival the shocking depravity of the original.

Black Sunday

Black Sunday is a 1960 Italy horror by Mario Bava
Starring Barbara Steele, John Richardson and Andrea Checchi

Banned by the BBFC in 1961. The European Version (Mask of Satan) was uncut but the US Version (Black Sunday) was cut.

Summary Notes

Decades after being executed for witchcraft, vengeful Princess Asa Vajda and her fiendish servant are resurrected and begin a bloody campaign to possess the body of Asa Vajda's beautiful look-alike descendant Princess Katia.

• 2025 SHOUT! FACTORY Collector's Edition [European + US versions] R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 7th October 2025

Promotional Material

A Bavarian princess, burned at the stake with her lover for being a witch, comes to life after three hundred years to enact the curse of revenge on her remaining family members.

Bonus Content:

• 4K Restoration from the Original Camera Negative
• International Version
• Audio Commentary with Writer Dr. Rebekah King
• Audio Commentary with Dr. Karen Stallznow, Matt Baxter and Blake Smith
• Audio Commentary with Film Critic Brian Keiper
• Audio Commentary with Film Critic Meagan Navarro
• Trailers from Hell: Interview with Filmmaker Larry Cohen
• International Trailer
• US Trailer
• Poster Gallery
• TV Spot

The .44 Specialist

The .44 Specialist is a 1976 Italy action film by Stelvio Massi
Starring Franco Gasparri, John Saxon and John Steiner

There are no censorship issues with this release

Summary Notes

A murderous drug dealer breaks his partner out of police custody. An undercover cop is assigned to track down the two killers and bring them in.

• 2025 Kino International (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 30th September 2025
• 2025 Kino International Amazon VoD [US] at US Amazon #ad

Promotional Material

The .44 Specialist (aka Mark Strikes Again) is a high-octane cop thriller from director Stelvio Massi (Magnum Cop). Inspector Mark Patti (Franco Gasparri) is assigned to infiltrate a group of radicals, working in concert with shady US agent Altman (John Saxon, Enter the Dragon, A Nightmare on Elm Street). Mark is brought into the terrorist circle of Paul (John Steiner, Tenebrae) and Olga (Marcella Michelangeli, The Big Racket), and chaos erupts. The undercover cop discovers uncomfortable truths as he gets embroiled in their acts of political violence.

Special Features :
- Audio Commentary by Film Historian Rachael Nisbet
- Alternate English Feature Audio Track
- Trailer

Breathless

Breathless is a 1983 USA action romance by Jim McBride.
Starring Richard Gere, Valérie Kaprisky and Art Metrano.   

Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for 1983 cinema release but the the follow up VHS was cut and BBFC 18 rated. The rating reverted to uncut and BBFC 15 rated for 2001 DVD. Uncut and MPAA R rated in the US.

Summary Notes

When Jesse Lujack steals a car in Las Vegas and drives down to LA, his criminal ways only escalate - but when will it end?

• 2025 Cinématographe R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 30th September 2025
• 2025 Cinématographe Amazon VoD [US] at US Amazon #ad

Promotional Material

Jesse (Richard Gere, American Gigolo), a restless and cocky common criminal with a penchant for fast cars, rock n roll music and comic books, finds himself obsessed with Monica (Valérie Kaprisky, La Femme Publique), a French exchange student at UCLA. On the run for car theft and the accidental slaying of a highway patrolman, Jesse finds himself on the streets of Los Angeles, passing time in swimming pools, making love with Monica and dodging the law that is closing in on him.

A controversial remake of Jean-Luc Godards iconic staple of the French New Wave, À bout de souffle (1960), BREATHLESS is a decidedly 80s updating of the tried-and-true merging of romance and crime, giving way to the sex and violence expected from its era. Directed by American iconoclast Jim McBride (David Holzmans Diary, The Big Easy), who co-wrote the script with L.M. Kit Carson (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2; Paris, Texas), BREATHLESS is a potent blast of pop-culture idolization, eschewing the gritty monochrome of its source for a vibrant, colorful, Los Angeles, gorgeously captured by director of photography Richard H. Kline (Body Heat, The Fury). Cinématographe is proud to present Jim McBrides illustrious neo-noir in its world UHD debut of a new 4K restoration from its original camera negative.

Bonus Features:
1. 2-Disc Set: 4K Ultra HD + Region A Blu-ray
2. New audio commentary with director and co-writer Jim McBride, moderated by Cinématographe's Justin LaLiberty
3. New audio commentary with film writer Travis Woods
4. Rock N Roll As an Attitude - a new video interview with Jim McBride
5. A Different Perspective - a new video interview with casting director Jane Jenkins
6. To Ensnare is to Enshrine: The Ghostly Layers of Jim McBride's Breathless - a new video essay by film historian Daniel Kremer
7. Deleted Scenes and Alternate Ending with audio commentary from Jim McBride
8. Theatrical Trailer
9. English SDH subtitles

The Good, The Bad, The Weird

The Good, The Bad, The Weird is a 2008 South Korea comedy western by Kim Jee-woon
Starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun and Jung Woo-sung

All UK releases suffer BBFC cuts for animal cruelty. The film exists as a shortened International Version and a longer Korean Version.

Summary Notes

The story of two outlaws and a bounty hunter in 1940s Manchuria and their rivalry to possess a treasure map while being pursued by the Japanese army and Chinese bandits.

• 2025 Arrow Video Limited Edition [International + Korean Versions] R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 30th September 2025

Promotional Material

The story of two outlaws and a bounty hunter in 1940s Manchuria.

ONE MAP. THREE VILLAINS. WINNER TAKES ALL.

Genre maestro Kim Jee-woon (A Tale of Two Sisters) set his sights on new frontiers and spiced them up with his rollicking kimchi western The Good, the Bad, the Weird. Wrangling three of Korea's biggest stars, he orchestrated an audacious action epic sweeping across the dusty Manchurian plains.

In the 1930s, three gun-toting Koreans converge on a train with different objectives but after an explosive altercation they leave it with the same goal: track down a map leading to an unfathomable treasure. The 'Good' is bounty hunter Park Dowon (Jung Woo-sung, 12.12: The Day), who is chasing down the 'Bad', the ruthless bandit Park Chang-yi (Lee Byung-hun, A Bittersweet Life), rumored to be the notorious 'Finger Cutter'. Meanwhile, wily thief Yoon Tae-goo (Song Kang-ho, Parasite), the 'Weird', is on the hunt for anything he can get his hands on. Backs are stabbed, fingers are cut, and many bullets fly as this dangerous trio blast their way through the desert in search of untold riches.

This glorious resurrection of the Manchurian Western was the biggest and most ambitious production ever undertaken in Korea. Presented here in stunning 4K, experience this spicy slice of wild west mayhem as you've never seen it before.

Bonus Materials

• 2-DISC 4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
• Perfect bound collectors book featuring writing by Darcy Paquet, Kyu Hyun Kim, Cho Jae-whee and Ariel Schudson
• Three postcard-sized artcards
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
• DISC ONE -- FEATURE PRESENTATIONS (4K ULTRA-HD BLU-RAY)
• 4K master approved by director Kim Jee-woon
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Includes both the International and Korean versions of the film presented via seamless branching
• DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio on both cuts of the film
• Optional English subtitles
• Audio commentary by film critic James Marsh and film critic and producer Pierce Conran
• Archival audio commentary of the International Cut by director Kim Jee-woon and actors Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, and Jung Woo-sung
• Archival audio commentary of the Korean Version by director Kim Jee-woon, cinematographer Lee Mogae, lighting director Oh Seung-chul, and art director Cho Hwa-sung (Korean Version)
• Introduction to the film by Kim Jee-woon
• DISC TWO -- BONUS FEATURES (BLU-RAY)
• Corralling Chaos in the Desert, an interview with director Kim Jee-woon
• Dusty Dust-ups and Sweaty Saddles, an interview with martial arts coordinator Jung Doo-hong
• Archival making-of films and featurettes
• Trailer gallery
• Image gallery

Raw Meat

Raw Meat (aka Death Line) is a 1972 UK/US comedy horror by Gary Sherman
Starring Donald Pleasence, Norman Rossington and David Ladd

Cut by the BBFC for X rated 1972 cinema release and 18 rated VHS in 1989 and 1996. Uncut since 2006 18 rated DVD. Death Line is uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US but was previously cut for an R rated release under the title Raw Meat.

Summary Notes

When a government official disappears in the London tunnels, after several reports of missing people in the same location, Scotland Yard start to take the matter seriously, along with a couple who stumble into a victim by accident.

• 2025 Blue Underground R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 30th September 2025

Promotional Material

Beneath Modern London Lives a Tribe of Once Humans. Neither Men nor Women... They are the Raw Meat of the Human Race!

When a prominent politician and a beautiful young woman vanish inside a London subway station, Scotland Yard's Inspector Calhoun ( Donald Pleasence of HALLOWEEN) investigates and makes a horrifying discovery. Not only did a group of 19th century tunnel workers survive a cave-in, but they lived for years in a secret underground enclave by consuming the flesh of their own dead. Now the lone descendant of this grisly tribe has surfaced, prowling the streets for fresh victims... and a new mate.

Norman Rossington (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT), David Ladd (THE WILD GEESE), Sharon Gurney (CRUCIBLE OF HORROR), and the legendary Christopher Lee (HORROR OF DRACULA) also star in this heart-stopping horror classic co-written and directed by Gary Sherman (DEAD & BURIED). Blue Underground is thrilled to present RAW MEAT (also known as DEATH LINE) in a brand-new restoration, scanned in 4K 16-bit from the original uncensored camera negative , with Dolby Vision HDR and a new Dolby Atmos audio mix!

Bonus Materials

• Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) and HD Blu-ray (1080p) Widescreen 1.85:1 feature presentations
• Audio: Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD, 1.0 DTS-HD (English); 1.0 DTS-HD (French)
• Subtitles: English SDH, Francais, Espanol
• Audio Commentary #1 with Co-Writer/Director Gary Sherman, Producer Paul Maslansky, and Assistant Director Lewis More OFerrall
• NEW! Audio Commentary #2 with Film Historians Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth
• Tales From The Tube -- Interview with Co-Writer/Director Gary Sherman and Executive Producers Jay Kanter & Alan Ladd Jr.
• From The Depths -- Interview with Star David Ladd and Producer Paul Maslansky
• Mind The Doors -- Interview with Star Hugh Armstrong
• Trailers
• TV Spots
• Radio Spots
• Poster & Still Gallery

Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.

Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. is a 1990 Japan/US satire by Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman
Starring Rick Gianasi, Susan Byun and Bill Weeden

Cut by the BBFC for an 18 rated 1996 cinema release, 1997 VHS and 2014 DVD. Uncut and MPAA Unrated in the US although there is also a very cut PG-13 version

Summary Notes

A streetwise New York police officer transforms into the world's most unusual superhuman hero.

• 2025 Vinegar Syndrome  Standard Edition [Director's Cut + PG-13 Version] R0 4K Blu-ray at US Amazon #ad released on 30th September 2025
• 2025 Vinegar Syndrome Amazon VoD [US] at US Amazon #ad

Promotional Material

When rookie New York City policeman Harry Griswold ends up in the middle of a shootout while attending an evening of kabuki theater, his attempt to save the life of a critically injured performer yields unintended consequences. The dying man bestows his supernatural powers onto Harry, thus rendering him 'The Chosen One.' Suddenly finding himself sprouting paper umbrellas and covered in face paint, the formerly clumsy cop is transformed into a crime-fighting superstar, with the help and training of Lotus, daughter of the deceased actor. But Harrys new gifts also come with a fresh calling as he learns that he alone has the power to defeat the ancient 'Evil One' and foil his diabolical plans for bloodthirsty world domination.

From Lloyd Kaufman & Michael Herz, creators of The Toxic Avenger, comes a different kind of superhero: SGT. KABUKIMAN N.Y.P.D! Mixing high-stakes action, spectacular car stunts, monstrous mutants, and Tromas signature style of madcap gore and hilarious hijinx, this outrageous late-night TV and video store classic features a whos who of cult stars, including Joe Fleishaker (Tromas War), Bill Weeden (Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV), and Rick Gianasi (Robot Holocaust) as Harry Griswold. Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present this colorful live-action comic book on 4K UHD, newly restored from its 35mm camera negative and presented in its totally uncensored directors cut as well as its more commonly seen alternate PG-13 version, and featuring an abundance of both new and archival interviews and BTS material.

Bonus Features:
1. 3-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region Free Blu-ray x2
2. 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range
3. Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative
4. Presented in both its uncensored R-rated director's cut (UHD and Blu-ray) and its PG-13 cut (Blu-ray only)
5. Archival commentary track with co-writer / co-director Lloyd Kaufman
6. Brand new commentary track with James Branscome and Nick Vance of the Cinematic Void Podcast
7. "A History Lesson on Kabukiman" (26 min) - a brand new featurette with Lloyd Kaufman and film programmer Jesse Berberich
8. "Troma Olivier" (18 min) - a brand new interview with actor Bill Weeden
9. "A Bond Girl, Troma Style" (17 min) - a brand new interview with actress Shaler McClure Wright
10. "From Redneck Zombies to Tromaville" (8 min) - a brand new interview with special effects coordinator Pericles Lewnes
11. Archival Troma disc introduction with Lloyd Kaufman (6 min)
12. Archival interview with lead actor Rick Gianasi (7 min)
13. Archival select scene commentary with lead actor Rick Gianasi (10 min)
14. Archival interview with Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz from The Dick Cavett Show in 1989 (24 min)
15. Archival in-production sales reel from 1989 (9 min)
16. Laserdisc intro (5 min)
17. Troma Team video intros (6 min)
18. VHS sales pitch promo (2 min)
19. Multiple original trailers (10 min)
20. 40-page perfect-bound book featuring essays by Chris Shields, Austin Trunick, and Jesse Berberich
21. Reversible sleeve artwork
22. English SDH subtitles