By RUE MORGUE STAFF
The ’80s creature-feature cult fave is receiving its biggest and best home showcase yet.
Synapse Films today sent out a newsletter revealing that its 4K UHD/Blu-ray release of THE DEADLY SPAWN will go on sale this Friday, August 8 at noon ET. The 1983 film, written and directed by Douglas McKeown from a story he wrote with producer Ted A. Bohus and special effects creator John Dods, tells of a meteor that crashes to Earth and unleashes a horde of fanged, hungry creatures. They take up residence in the basement of a nearby house and terrorize its residents, and only a young boy (Charles George Hildebrandt) may be able to stop them.
The movie has been fully remastered in 4K from the original 16mm camera negative, and is presented in both 1.66:1 and 1.37:1 aspect ratios with hours of extras on a 2160p 4K UHD disc and a 1080p Blu-ray. This limited-edition set (5,000 units) includes the following contents:
- Rigid slipcase with new artwork from Wes Benscoter
- 56-page perfect-bound book with vintage articles from Fangoria magazine, a new essay by author/film critic Michael Gingold, excerpts from producer Ted A. Bohus’ book on the making of the film and a scrapbook of rare photographs
- Six double-sided collector cards
- Double-sided fold-out poster
- For the first time ever, the audio options feature the original producer’s mix, as well as the 21st Century Film Corporation theatrical mix in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio
- Three audio commentaries featuring the producer, director, cast and crew
- Face Off: Interview with Elizabeth Marner-Brooks, a.k.a. Elissa Neil
- Return to the Spawning Ground: a new featurette featuring a modern-day tour of the house location
- A Visit with John Dods and the Deadly Spawn: vintage featurette
- THE DEADLY SPAWN comic prequel sampler
- Various TV news clips featuring promotion and interviews for the film
- TAKE ONE: vintage public access show segment featuring an interview with editor Marc Harwood
- Original audition tapes
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Alternate opening credits sequence
- Still gallery
- TV spot and theatrical trailer
The set will be available on Friday at Synapse’s website, along with DiabolikDVD and OrbitDVD. A limited number of copies will also be available for purchase from Vinegar Syndrome’s The Archive store in Bridgeport, CT, but will not be stocked at any major chain store or e-tailer. Below you can see the front and back of the slipcover and the O-card, and the two sides of the reversible case art.
