New for 2021, STUDIOCANAL unveils the extended cut of Roger Corman’s iconic horror film THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, stunningly restored in 4K by Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation and The Academy with funding from theHobson/Lucas Family Foundation. Starring horror stalwartVincent Price (HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, HOUSE OF WAX, EDWARD SCISSOR HANDS) in one of the finest performances of his career, alongside a knock-out supporting cast includingJane Asher (ALFIE, DEATH AT A FUNERAL),Hazel Court (THE PREMATURE BURIAL, THE RAVEN),David Weston (BECKET, THE RED BARON) and Nigel Green (JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, ZULU) and based on the classic gothic fiction taleThe Mask of the Red Death: A Fantasy byEdgar Allan Poe. THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH is considered one of Roger Corman’s ( THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE RAVEN) most distinctive works and an all-time horror classic.
Unseen by audiences until it premiered at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival in 2019 to great applaud, the meticulous 4K restoration brings back to life the striking and bold cinematography from Nicolas Roeg. The amazing use of colours in MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH was thought to influence his love of bold colours in his subsequent directing work (DON’T LOOK NOW being a prime example). The new version of the film reinstates a number of censored scenes which were cut from the original 1964 release.
The new DVD/ Blu-Ray includes both the restored extended cut and the theatrical cut, a 20-page booklet with a new essay from The Academy’s film preservationist Tessa Idlewine and 4 art cards from the restoration. There is also a host of exciting special features including a brand new interview with Keith M. Johnston, a lecturer in Film and Television Studies at the University of East Anglia University which explores the fascinating topics of colour and censorship; abrand new commentary with film critic and author Kim Newman and filmmaker Sean Hogan ; and a not-to-be-missed conversation between Roger Corman and film critic Kim Newman which was filmed in 2013 as part of the BFI’s Gothic Season.
An absolute must-see for any horror or classic cinema fan, THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH will be available to own on Blu-Ray, DVD & Digital on 25 January.
Synopsis: A stunning new 4K restoration from The Film Foundation and The Academy of Roger Corman’s 1964 classic THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. This is the first ever fully uncut, extended version of the film to be available. Vincent Price stars as evil Prince Prospero who sells his soul to the devil and then enjoys the latter’s patronage by living the most decadent and lavish lifestyle he can manage. He derides even more pleasure from the perverse satisfaction he takes in seeing his impoverished subjects fall victim to a painful and devastating plague that is sweeping the land.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- New: Colour and Censorship in The Masque of the Red Death: Interview with Professor Keith Johnston
- New: Audio Commentary with Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
- Roger Corman: In Conversation with Kim Newman at the BFI
- Behind the scenes stills gallery
- Booklet written film preservationist at The Academy Tessa Idlewine
- Art cards
About Roger Corman: Roger Corman is an American director, producer and actor with an array of impressive credits to his name who continues to influence the filmmakers of today. He was a master maker of cult horror films, THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH being one of a cycle made in the 1960’s based on short stories by the brilliant writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe and considered his greatest achievement by many. Other notable titles from this period include THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS,LAST WOMAN ON EARTH, PREMATURE BURIAL,TOWER OF LONDON, THE RAVEN, THE TERROR, THE HAUNTED PLACE and THE TRIP but to name a few.
Corman mentored a number of today’s most revered film directors during their early careers including Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese and James Cameron and helped launch the careers of actors such as Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper and Sylvester Stallone. As an actor Corman has appeared in small roles in a number of films includingTHE GODFATHER PART II, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, PHILADELPHIA and APOLLO 13.
BLU-RAY / DVD Info: Cert: 15 (UK) / 12 (EIRE) // English Language with subtitles for the Hearing Impaired // RRP: £17:99 (DVD) / £22:99 (Blu-Ray) // Region: 2 (DVD) / B (Blu-Ray) // R/T: 87min (DVD) / 91 min (Blu-Ray)