I’ve often seen the title MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN for some time now. Various versions of the film have popped up on numerous collections and it’s been put out on disc as a single movie as well. For some reason I never got around to watching it. When I heard Arrow Video was releasing it I was glad I waited. They always take the time to offer films like this in the most pristine version possible. Here again they prove that statement a valid one.
Released in 1960 the film takes place in Holland where writer Hans van Arnhim (Pierre Brice) goes to do research on the much heralded Mill of the Stone Women. The attraction features to sculptures of renowned art professor and sculptor Gregorious Wahl (Herbert A.E. Boehme). Placed on a carousel the statues roll past viewers who marvel at how realistic they are.
Arnhim begins doing his research when he is introduced to Wahl’s daughter Elfie (Scilla Gabel) and their live in doctor, Dr. Loren Bohlem (Wolfgang Preiss). It seems that Elfie suffers from a strange illness that requires round the clock care, an illness that took her mother’s life. It isn’t long before Arnhim falls in love with Elfie and is distracted from his work, in spite of having a girlfriend back home, Lisolette (Dany Carrel).
Realizing he must end his attraction he tells Elfie who flies into a rage threatening to kill him if he does so before she collapses. Arnhim picks her up and carries her to her room but once there notices she has suspicious looking lesions on her neck. He returns to his room only to have a fitful night of sleep, dreaming nightmares that involve the entire house. But there is more going on than just an illness with Elfie and the mad nightmares of Arnhim. A nefarious plot that involves those who live in the Mill of Stone Women.
The odds are that you may have already guessed what is going on behind the scenes. It doesn’t matter. The method and expertise of storytelling on view here will hold your attention as you watch and learn the truth. The mill itself will remind you of another horror film released in the US a few years earlier which I won’t mention. You’ll know it while watching if you hadn’t guessed already.
Director Giorgio Ferroni who co-wrote the film along with Remigio Del Grosso and Ugo Liberatore has concocted a story that will delight mystery fans as well as horror fans. The locations and sets are marvelously done and create a believable atmosphere in which the story takes place. The characters are well thought out and their dialogue isn’t some inane piece of work but brings them to life.
All of the actors involved give this movie another sense of realism. An actor should portray a role as if it were real with no sense of irony while talking about strange things. All the actors do this remarkably well. That’s a testament to their skills.
Arrow Films has done an excellent job with this film and why wouldn’t they? It’s what they do. To begin with the film is a 2k scan from the original negative. The amount of extras on this limited release are astounding beginning with 4 different versions of the film in 1080p Blu-ray: the original 96 minute Italian cut and English export versions, the 90 minute French version and the 95 minute US version. But that’s not all.
The limited edition packaging has a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais. There is an illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing on the film by Robert Curti, an in depth comparison of the different versions by Brad Stevens and a selection of contemporary reviews. There is a fold out double sided poster with the new and original artwork as well as six double sided postcard sized lobby card reproductions. On the Italian/English disc is a new audio commentary track by Tim Lucas, author of “Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark”, “Mill of the Stone woman & The Body Gothic” a new visual essay on the trope of the wax/statue woman in Gothic horror by author and critic Kat Ellinger, “Turned to Stone” a newly edited featurette containing archival interviews with actress Liama Orfei and film historian Fabio Melelli, “A Little Chat with Dr. Mabuse” and archival interview with actor Wolfgang Preiss, rare opening titles from the UK release re-titled “Drops of Blood”, German opening titles, the US and German theatrical trailers and image galleries.
Arrow once again shows why they are one of the premiere
companies when it comes to restorations and rediscovering lost classics. One
can only sit and wait to see what comes next. This one is worth adding to your
shelf before the limited editions are gone.
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