American International Pictures. A name that brings joy to many on seeing it insignia roll before any film. Its output was varied but focused on B movie horror and supernatural films. Roger Corman, the man who gave us many a famous film makers first steps, directed a series of successful adaptations of the great American gothic wordsmith, Edgar Allan Poe. Following on from this Corman and A I P moved to the titan of terror, H.P Lovecraft. Their dedicated choice, THE DUNWICH HORROR. Starring Dean Stockwell as Wilbur Whateley. His family are distinctly of the odd ball variety. Travelling to Miskatonic University for an event with famed occult historian Dr. Henry Armitage (Ed Begley). Once there he becomes obsessed with the university library and the one of only a rare few, copies of the Necronomicon, a legendary book of occult lore. Graduate student Nancy Wagner (Sandra Dee) falls under his spell after being tricked into driving him home. Wilbur plans dark things with the help of the book and the soul of Nancy…

Daniel Haller, director of THE DUNWICH HORROR, was the face behind numerous Corman classics. He was a art director by trade and pulled off something exotic here both in front of and behind the camera. Though melavolent in tone and abstract in images, it is a delight. You get some sprinkles of menace, infused with a quality of humour and potent evil. It could have so badly failed, but it delivers. Seen though this lense of modern genre analysis (film critics Johnny Mains and Jack Sargeant essays explore this in detail), its creeping dread is refreshed. Many a film from the period and AIP catalouge, could deliver this in droves. There is more here for the casual viewer though. Reminding me of a blend of THE TRIP and Cormans best gothic horror work. Newly restored by Arrow Films from the original 35mm camera negative, I dont think it could look any better. It might have to be said that the colour correction is accurate, as the stock used, replicated that late 60s pallete. Guy Adams and Alexandra Benedict discusses some of this but fixates on the Lovecraft elements. I agree totally with this being about as good a transaltion as you might get. The Door into Dunwich, frequently delights in what it is like to have seen something on release, capturing your obsessions and then extracting out the goodness within.

Special Edition Contents

• New 2K restoration by Arrow Films from the original camera negative
• High Definition (1080p) Bluray presentation
• Original lossless mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• New audio commentary by Guy Adams and Alexandra Benedict, creators of the audio drama Arkham County
• The Door into Dunwich, a new conversation between film historian Stephen R. Bissette and horror author Stephen Laws in which they discuss The Dunwich Horror, Lovecraft, and their memories of seeing the film on release
• After Summer After Winter, a new interview with science fiction and fantasy writer Ruthanna Emrys, author of The Innsmouth Legacy series
• The Sound of Cosmic Terror, new interview with music historian David Huckvale in which he takes a closer look at Les Baxter’s score for The Dunwich Horror
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Luke Preece

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critics Johnny Mains and Jack Sargeant

https://www.arrowfilms.com/blu-ray/the-dunwich-horror/14017604.html