By MICHAEL GINGOLD
At long last, one of the most neglected genre films of the ’90s is getting its hi-def due in the U.S. and the UK.
Arrow Video has announced the Stateside and British release of MUTE WITNESS, coming on limited-edition 4K UHD and Blu-ray June 11. Writer/director Anthony Waller’s striking and scary debut feature has never received the video showcase it’s deserved since its theatrical release in 1995, so this is very welcome news. Marina Sudina stars as a speechless makeup artist working on a horror film in Russia who discovers a real-life murder being filmed on the set after hours, and then must flee from the perpetrators. Featuring a cameo by Alec Guinness (billed as “Mystery Guest Star,” and filmed a decade before the rest of the movie!), it will be presented on the discs in a new 4K restoration approved by Waller, with a restored original lossless stereo soundtrack. Special features are:
- Brand new audio commentary by writer/director Anthony Waller
- Brand new audio commentary by production designer Matthias Kammermeier and composer Wilbert Hirsch, moderated by critic Lee Gambin
- The Silent Death, brand new visual essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, examining MUTE WITNESS and its relationship with snuff films
- The Wizard Behind the Curtain, brand new visual essay by author and critic Chris Alexander, exploring the phenomenon of the film-within-a-film
- Original “Snuff Movie” presentation, produced to generate interest from investors and distributors, featuring interviews with Anthony Waller and members of the creative team
- Original location scouting footage
- Original footage with Alec Guinness, filmed a decade prior to the rest of MUTE WITNESS
- Teaser trailer
- Trailer
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
- Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michelle Kisner
Retail prices are $49.99 for the UHD and $39.99 for the Blu-ray; they can be pre-ordered for $35 and $28 respectively at Arrow’s official website.
