If you read what I write on a regular basis then you already
know that I have a love for all things Arrow Video. It’s one of those companies
determined to resurrect movies from the past that are overlooked, forgotten or
tossed aside by their home studios and then offer them in pristine condition
with enough extras to entertain but not overshadow the movie in question. That
being said their offering of BLOOD BATH is the most comprehensive and
exhausting endeavor I’ve seen from them and I mean that in a good way.
Before delving deeper into the set be aware you’re getting 4
movies here made up of one movie. I’m not talking about sequels, extended
editions or director’s cuts. I’m talking 4 different movies…all from the same
original movie. To understand you have to realize that when it was made there
was a drive-in circuit that movies played in with films that catered to those
clients, more often than not teens looking for cheap and easy action, horror
and racy flicks. Director Roger Corman made his career on these types of films
and began producing as well. He produced a film in Europe that was called
OPERATION TITIAN, a film about stolen art with cops and robbers involved. He
decided the movie wasn’t quite what he wanted so had it recut and changed into
the film PORTRAIT OF TERROR. Still not quite what he wanted he handed it over
to director Jack Hill and it became BLOOD BATH. Stephanie Rothman had helped
with that version but before selling it to TV it was recut again with new
scenes added and became TRACK OF THE VAMPIRE (the version I was aware of from
horror hosts screenings years ago). What Arrow has done is bring all four
version together in one package which makes for fascinating viewing for film
fans.
OPERATION TITIAN is actually a well-made robbery film with
some amazing shots reminiscent of the Carol Reed film THE THIRD MAN. The
presentation here in black and white is amazing to see with a crisp, clear
image that shows work was put into this presentation. PORTRAIT OF TERROR and BLOOD
BATH offer the same footage in some places combined with a new story to offer a
different tale, switching things from a robbery film to the story of an artist
who thinks he’s a vampire and boils his models in wax. Definitely different
right? And yet both use some of the same footage. By the time you get to TRACK
OF THE VAMPIRE a part of you wonders what in the world was going on. But the
fact is that the movie made money in all four versions, a definite return on
investment that many film makers would love to see.
As I said the quality of the movies as presented here is
better than you would expect when you consider the fact that it was chopped up
so many times, played the drive-in circuit and was never a movie a studio would
consider preserving if they even kept it on hand to begin with. But Arrow has
come through offering the most complete presentation of the film in all of its
incarnations here.
In addition to that the extras should satisfy fans as well.
They include high definition transfers of the films in 1080p, “The Trouble With
Titian” a documentary featuring Tim Lucas that describes the long and twisted
path the films took, an interview with Sid Haig who starred the later versions,
an archive interview with director Jack Hill, a stills gallery, a fold out
double sided poster featuring old and newly commissioned artwork, a reversible
cover sleeve and a booklet about the films. The price is higher than most Arrow
releases but again you’re getting four complete films here folks.
Fans of Corman will find this a must have in their
collection as will die-hard Jack Hill fans whose numbers seem to be growing
with each Arrow release that he is responsible for. Horror fans will want to
add it to their collection as a reminder of those days when horror host ruled
the airwaves. Movie lovers will want to have it because of the historical value
on display. In short it is an interesting development to watch from one film to
the next and a nice addition to any collection.
Click here to order.
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