Celebrate the launch of 88 ITALIAN - Dedicated to the Bloody Best in Pasta Paura!!

A DOUBLE BILL OF CLASSIC ITALIAN CARNAGE!

FLESH-FEASTING FAVOURITES ZOMBI HOLOCAUST AND BURIAL GROUND ARRIVE ON UK BLU RAY!

One of the most fondly remembered eras in fright-film history is the golden age of Italian gore – a prolific period that brought such directors as Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava and Lucio Fulci to international attention and acclaim. Spawning all number of surreal sub-genres, including black-gloved killer-thrillers and stomach-churning cannibal adventures, this is a time that continues to crib a fresh generation of fascinated fans.

As such, 88 ITALIAN is proud to bring ZOMBI HOLOCAUST (1980) and BURIAL GROUND (1981) to BluRay - a pair of plasma-packed pot-boilers that could only have been dreamt up during the bygone boom in Euro-terror eccentricity.

In BURIAL GROUND, the carcass-crunching action comes thick and fast as veteran director Andrea Bianchi (STRIP NUDE FOR YOUR KILLER) evokes the sinister spirit of Lucio Fulci and George Romero. Also known as THE ZOMBIE DEAD, Bianchi’s bout of bloodstained brilliance has a pack of ghoulish predators entrap some ridiculously ill-prepared locals in a moody, malevolent mansion. Suffice to say, a mammoth amount of meat-munching mayhem ensues. Adding to the onscreen unease, BURIAL GROUND stacks its story with a series of sicko special effects – courtesy of the legendary gross-out expert Gino De Rossi (CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD/ THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY/ PIRANHA II).

ZOMBI HOLOCAUST (yes, that is the correct spelling), meanwhile, has Ian McCulloch (CONTAMINATION) arrive on a Caribbean island full of arisen, innards-hungry, undead denizens. Adding to his anguish is a tribe of peckish cannibals – and, rest assured, they have still not learned how to cook their dinner properly… or picked up any table manners! Also known as DOCTOR BUTCHER MD, and expertly directed by the late Marino Girolami, ZOMBI HOLOCAUST transplants two of Rome’s finest fright templates into one entrails laden entity. As the title suggests, this legendary grindhouse gem is a mix of CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST and ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS – offering the primitive barbeques of the former flick with the more supernatural suspense of the latter frightener.

States 88 Films, Richard Elliot: “We are proud to debut ZOMBI HOLOCAUST and BURIAL GROUND on BluRay in the UK. Originally both titles had been acquired by our friends at Exposure Cinema, who have recently released a limited Blu-ray edition of Michele Soavi’s classic ‘80s slasher, STAGEFRIGHT. In the end, we decided to collaborate on bringing both films to British shelves under the new 88 ITALIAN label – and we have to thank Exposure for assisting us in making this possible. We are all very excited about 88 ITALIAN and the potential for future releases under this banner.”

Whilst special features for both movies are still in progress, we can reveal that ZOMBI HOLOCAUST will come with a brand new feature documentary from High Rising Productions entitled EATEN ALIVE: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE ITALIAN CANNIBAL FILM. Tracing the genesis of this controversial genre from its early days with Umberto Lenzi’s trendsetting MAN FROM DEEP RIVER through to the acknowledged heavy-hitters such as CANNIBAL FEROX – this extravagant expose features exclusive interviews with a number of familiar faces from the epoch’s horrific heyday. Speaking about the lacerating legacy that led to ZOMBI HOLOCAUST and Eli Roth’s forthcoming THE GREEN INFERNO are Ruggero Deodato (CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST), Umberto Lenzi (CANNIBAL FEROX), Sergio Martino (PRISONER OF THE CANNIBAL GOD), actress Me Me Lai (LAST CANNIBAL WORLD) and actor Robert Kerman (EATEN ALIVE). Adding some further insight are the respected critic Kim Newman (NIGHTMARE MOVIES), author and academic Mikel Koven (LA DOLCE MORTE), indigenous filmmaker and genre historian Luigi Cozzi (STARCRASH) and many more.

States Naomi Holwill, of High Rising Productions: “Having done FROM ROMERO TO ROME: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE ITALIAN ZOMBIE FILM, which appeared on Arrow Video’s ZOMBIE FLESH EATERS, and more recently YELLOW FEVER: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GIALLO for Synapse in the USA and their BluRay of TENEBRAE, it is great to be able to complete our trilogy. Each of these three documentaries provides a look at celebrated trends in Italian horror film history. We are positive that EATEN ALIVE: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE ITALIAN CANNIBAL FILM will not disappoint. In fact, given the controversial nature of the cannibal movies, we may well have saved the most revealing feature for last.”

Adds James Blower: “ZOMBI HOLOCAUST and BURIAL GROUND are going to be fantastic editions and we are proud of the new 88 ITALIAN range and excited for the future. Our thanks go out to Exposure Cinema, for assisting in this great launch, and Calum and Naomi at High Rising Productions.”

As with 88 Films’ “SLASHER CLASSICS COLLECTION”, the 88 ITALIAN releases will come with collector’s booklets from film critic Calum Waddell, numbered spines and reversible cover art.

ABOUT 88 FILMS:

88 Films, named in homage to the Back to the Future franchise, was launched in 2012 and has become one of Britain’s leading boutique labels – dedicated to the loving presentation and restoration of both classic and marginal genre movies. Choice cuts from the 88 Films’ vaults include HD releases of several features from Charles Band’s Full Moon Entertainment including the Puppet Master and Subspecies series, Stuart Gordon’s crimson-caked creature feature Castle Freak (1995), Demonic Toys (1992) and the pint-sized superhero thriller Dollman (1991). In 2014, 88 Films debuted an uncut print of Alfred Sole’s masterpiece Alice Sweet Alice (1976), unleashed the controversial killer-kids chiller Bloody Birthday (1981) and gave a long-awaited UK BluRay bow to Maniac star Joe Spinell’s frequently misunderstood postmodern coup d'état The Last Horror Film (1982). Along with offerings from Ted V. Mikels (The Corpse Grinders/ The Doll Squad), the Sherilyn Fenn-starring softcore romance Two Moon Junction (1988) and the 42^nd Street staple Bloodsucking Freaks (1976), 88 Films continues to bring an eclectic mix of movies to the UK home video market. The very first 88 Films’ BluRay steelbook also made an appearance this year thanks to a wonderfully presented pressing of the Troma terror-trademark The Toxic Avenger (1984), which has become the company’s best selling release to date. Forthcoming fright-flicks from 88 Films include the Sam Raimi-produced zombie nightmare The Dead Next Door (1989), directed by J.R. Bookwalter, all three sequels to The Toxic Avenger and some more stuff we would love to tell you about but, if we did, we just might have to kill you… (Note: if you have read this far expect a power tool to come into play!)

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Classic high-octane car chase thriller Taxi, created by renowned writer/director Luc Besson, comes crashing onto Blu-ray for the first time thanks to Second Sight.

Besson’s (Lucy, The Fifth Element), cult action comedy about a speed freak taxi driver who is forced to make a deal with the police or lose his licence, has spawned three sequels, a remake and a new 2014 TV. Now the original thriller that takes car chases to a whole new dimension, makes its debut in stunning high-definition Blu-ray on 10 November 2014.

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Arrow Video is excited to announce the UK Blu-ray and DVD release of Night of the Comet, the 80s cult-classic which since its initial release in 1984, has gone on to amass a legion of loyal fans with its hugely entertaining riff on the apocalyptic sub-genre of movies, paying homage to such classics as The Omega Man and The Last Man on Earth. Infact this might be the most purely entertaining depiction of the aftermath of a catastrophic event, not just in movie history but possibly... well, ever.

But what makes Night of the Comet stand out above its peers, would be its unique female lead characters, wonderfully played by Catherine Mary Stewart and Kelli Maroney. This is a film driven by its female characters. It is those characters who anchor the film, who give the film the heart which makes it so much more than a string of homages: the fun is balanced by the genuine emotional connection the audience develops with our heroines. Even if they have the occasional ditzy moment, this is a very genuine portrayal of two teenage girls and the film likes both of them far too much to mock. Although much of the surface details date it to a very specific era – the tinny synth ‘n’ saxophone music and that big hair!– the heart of the film still feels fresh because its two lead characters are so well drawn, so well played and so damn likeable.

Intriguingly, for a film with such obvious antecedents, Night of the Comet has proved to be extremely influential, inspiring a number of other films which attempt the same trick of placing unlikely characters inside a foursquare genre format and sweetening the mix with humour. Most obviously, there’s Tremors (1990), in which a couple of good ol’ boys do their best to deal with an underground monster straight out of a ’50s creature feature. Writer/director Joss Whedon has professed admiration for Night of the Comet too, citing it as partial inspiration for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992 on film, 1997-2003 on TV). More recently, there’s Shaun of the Dead (2004). It doesn’t take much to see Night of the Comet as one of that film’s (numerous) influences, most obviously in the graceful juggling of comedy, character moments, and genuine genre thrills.

Such things are only to be expected of a film with such a pronounced cult following. If it’s smart, witty handling of the genre was a little too sophisticated to meet with general approval upon original release in 1984, then it has ensured a strong afterlife, and its reputation continues to grow. Far more than ‘just’ a pastiche, Night of the Comet both celebrates the genre and contributes to it, updating the concerns of the golden age science fiction films for a new era and a new generation. Far more importantly, it remains thoroughly entertaining; and in an age like ours, when the world again feels increasingly apocalyptic (war, terrorism, environmental collapse... take your pick), such things are welcome indeed.

The movie will make its UK Blu-ray debut on 22nd September 2014 in a newly restored transfer with a host of extra features including interviews with stars Kelli Maroney, Catherine Mary Stewart, Robert Beltran and Mary Woronov. The disc will also feature an audio commentaries with writer/director Thom Eberhardt, stars Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart and production designer John Muto

Alongside this, the Blu-ray disc will also feature the original theatrical trailer, a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin and a sizable collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic James Oliver

Synopsis

Life can be tough when you’re a Valley girl. First, there’s making sure you’re on time for pep squad practice. Then there’s having to live under the same roof as your bitchy stepmother who, you suspect, is making it with Chuck from across the road. And then, of course, there’s having to keep on the lookout for the occasional marauding zombie hungering after your flesh!

Eighteen year-old Reggie (Catherine Mary Stewart – Weekend at Bernie’s, The Last Starfighter) misses out on the event-of-a-lifetime when she ditches watching the comet in favour of copping off with the projectionist at the cinema where she works. But this turns out to be a wise move when, the next day, she discovers that the entire population has been reduced to piles of red dust – leaving only Reggie, her sister Sam (Kelli Maroney – Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Chopping Mall) and a handful of other survivors to fend off the roving gangs of glassy-eyed zombies.

Taking its cue from classic “doomsday” movies such as The Day of the Triffids and The Omega Man (and with a healthy dose of Dawn of the Dead thrown in for good measure), Night of the Comet is an irresistible slice of Reagan-era B-movie fare which features Cyndi Lauper dance-alongs as well as some truly gravity-defying bouffant hairstyles… Well, it was acceptable in the 80s!

Special Features

· High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the feature, transferred from original film elements by MGM

· Original 2.0 audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)

· Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

· Audio commentary with writer/director Thom Eberhardt

· Audio commentary with stars Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart

· Audio commentary with production designer John Muto

· Valley Girls at the End of the World – Interviews with Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart

· The Last Man on Earth? – An interview with actor Robert Beltran

· End of the World Blues – A brand new interview with Star Mary Woronov

· Curse of the Comet – An Interview with special make-up effects creator David B. Miller

· Original Theatrical Trailer

· Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin

· Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by James Oliver illustrated with original archive stills and posters