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Psycho sequels and Hellraiser tetralogy on UHD & Blu-ray in February

21 December 2023

In February, Arrow Video will be releasing formidable standard editions of the three outstanding Psycho sequels in UHD, a stand alone release of Clive Barker's legendary Hellraiser, and the Hellraiser Tetralogy in 4K.

 

Psycho: The Story Continues UHD pack shot

PSYCHO: THE STORY CONTINUES | Limited Edition 4K UHD | Limited Edition Blu-ray | 26 February 2024 | £44.99 (UHD), £39.99 (Blu-ray)

Twenty three years after Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho shattered expectations and shocked audiences around the world, Australian filmmaker Richard Franklin (Patrick, Road Games) boldly followed in the master's footsteps and directed Psycho II, a sequel that not only delivered on the promise of his earlier films, but arguably lived up to the original. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) is declared sane and released from the facility in which he was being held, despite the complaints of Lila Loomis (née Crane, Vera Miles) sister of Norman's most famous victim. All Norman wants to do is live quietly and productively as a normal member of society. But is returning to the house he once shared with his mother, and running the motel that was the site of so many murders, really a good idea? Is he cured, or will he kill again?

Psycho III would see Anthony Perkins himself take the franchise's reins for his directorial debut, bringing a stylish flair that suggested his time working with not only Alfred Hitchcock, but Orson Welles and Ken Russell had been well spent. A fallen nun (Diana Scarwid), a sleazy drifter (Jeff Fahey), and a curious reporter looking for a scoop (Roberta Maxwell) all arrive at the Bates Motel and "Mother" is less than happy, especially when Norman begins to fall in love. Meanwhile, Psycho IV: The Beginning, written by Joseph Stefano (screenwriter of the 1960 original) and directed by master of horror Mick Garris, returns to the primal scene to show us how it all began in Anthony Perkins' final franchise appearance. Rehabilitated and happily married, Norman Bates has finally escaped from the overbearing influence of his abusive mother. But his wife is pregnant, and Norman finds himself afraid that the child will inherit his mental illness. When he hears talk radio host Fran Ambrose (CCH Pounder) discussing the topic of matricide, Norman calls in under a false name, to tell his story. Starring Henry Thomas (E.T.) as young Norman and Olivia Hussey (Black Christmas) as his mother, Norma.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:

  • 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) presentations of Psycho II, Psycho III, and Psycho IV: The Beginning in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), all restored from the original camera negatives
  • Original stereo and 5.1 options for Psycho II and Psycho III, and stereo audio for Psycho IV
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin

DISC 1 – PSYCHO II (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY):

  • Audio commentary by film critics Michael Brooke and Johnny Mains
  • Archive audio commentary by screenwriter Tom Holland
  • Behind the Curtain: The Masters of Horror on Psycho, a panel discussion with screenwriter Tom Holland and Psycho IV director Mick Garris moderated by Robert Galluzzo
  • Giving Bloch His Due, an interview with Chet Williams, author of Psycho: Sanitarium on the legacy of Norman Bates' creator, author Robert Bloch
  • Anthony Perkins TV and audio interviews
  • Richard Franklin audio interview
  • Richard Franklin On Set featurette
  • Richard Franklin scene commentary
  • Vintage featurettes including interviews with Perkins, Franklin, and Vera Miles
  • Psycho II demo by composer Jerry Goldsmith
  • Audio press kit/promotional record
  • Trailers & TV spots
  • Image gallery

DISC 2 – PSYCHO III (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY):

  • Audio commentary by film critics Michael Brooke and Johnny Mains
  • Archive audio commentary by screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue
  • Carnival of the Heart, a visual essay by film scholar Alexandra Heller Nicholas
  • Scream of Love, an interview with composer Carter Burwell
  • Watch the Guitar, an interview with actor Jeff Fahey
  • Patsy's Last Night, an interview with actor Katt Shea
  • Mother's Maker, an interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Westmore
  • Body Double, an interview with actor Brinke Stevens
  • Original Electronic Press Kit
  • Alternate opening sequence
  • Theatrical trailer
  • TV spot
  • Image gallery

DISC 3 – PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY):

  • Archive audio commentary with Mick Garris and actors Henry Thomas and Olivia Hussey
  • Death by Strings, a visual essay by author and critic Guy Adams on music across the franchise
  • The Making of Mother, an archive interview with make-up effects artist Tony Gardner
  • Behind the scenes footage
  • A Look at the Scoring of Psycho IV, an archive featurette
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery

Psycho - The Story Continues Blu-ray edition will have the same features, but will instead features High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of Psycho II, Psycho III, and Psycho IV: The Beginning, all restored from the original camera negatives.

 

Hellraiser UHD pack shot

HELLRAISER | Limited Edition 4K UHD | 26 February 2024 | £29.99

Stephen King was once famously quoted as saying, "I have seen the future of horror… his name is Clive Barker." That future was realised in 1987 with the release of Barker's directorial debut Hellraiser.

Hedonist Frank Cotton (Sean Chapman) thinks he has reached the limits of earthly pleasure. But a mysterious puzzle box will take him further than he can possibly imagine, opening the doors to a dominion where pain and pleasure are indivisible and summoning the Cenobites, whose experiments in the higher reaches of experience will tear his soul apart. When he manages to escape, Frank returns to the world skinless and in need of help. Now his former lover Julia (Clare Higgins) must kill to make him whole again. But the Cenobites want Frank back, and there'll be hell to pay when they find him.

Introducing the world to the iconic Pinhead, Hellraiser became an instant genre classic upon release and remains one of the most frighteningly original visions in horror.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:

  • 4K restoration from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films
  • 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
  • Original lossless stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Audio commentary featuring genre historian (and unit publicist of Hellraiser) Stephen Jones with author and film critic Kim Newman
  • Archival audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker and actor Ashley Laurence, moderated by Peter Atkins
  • Archival audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker
  • Power of Imagination, 60-minute discussion about Hellraiser and the work of Clive Barker by film scholars Sorcha Ní Fhlainn (editor of Clive Barker: Dark Imaginer) and Karmel Kniprath
  • Unboxing Hellraiser, visual essay celebrating the Lament Configuration by genre author Alexandra Benedict (The Beauty of Murder)
  • The Pursuit of Possibilities, 60-minute discussion between acclaimed horror authors Paula D. Ashe (We Are Here to Hurt Each Other) and Eric LaRocca (Everything the Dark Eats) celebrating the queerness of Hellraiser and the importance of Clive Barker as a queer writer
  • Flesh is a Trap, visual essay exploring body horror and transcendence in the work of Clive Barker by genre author Guy Adams (The World House)
  • Extended EPK interviews with Clive Barker and stars Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, and effects artist Bob Keen, shot during the making of Hellraiser, with an introduction by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
  • Original 1987 Electronic Press Kit
  • Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser, archival interview with the actor
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser, archival interview with the iconic actor about his first appearance as 'Pinhead'
  • Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score, archival interview with Coil member Stephen Thrower
  • Trailers and TV spots
  • Image gallery
  • Draft screenplays
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dare Creative
  • Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dare Creative

 

Hellraiser Tetralogy

HELLRAISER TETRALOGY | Limited Edition 4K UHD | Limited Edition Blu-ray | 26 February 2024 | £54.99 (UHD), £54.99 (Blu-ray)

Introducing the world to the iconic Pinhead, Hellraiser became an instant genre classic upon release and remains one of the most frighteningly original visions in horror. The three films that followed cemented Pinhead's iconic status.

Hedonist Frank Cotton (Sean Chapman) thinks he has reached the limits of earthly pleasure, but a mysterious puzzle box will take him further than he can possibly imagine, opening the doors to a dominion where pain and pleasure are indivisible and summoning the Cenobites, whose experiments in the higher reaches of experience will tear Frank's soul apart. When he manages to escape, Frank returns to the world skinless and in need of help. Now his former lover Julia (Clare Higgins) must kill to make him whole again; but the Cenobites want Frank back, and there'll be hell to pay when they find him. 

Hellbound: Hellraiser II expands on Barker's original vision as screenwriter Peter Atkins takes Julia Cotton, her step daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) and the sinister Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham) into the dominion of the Cenobites themselves.

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth sees Pinhead set loose on the sinful streets of New York City to create chaos with a fresh cadre of Cenobitic kin. 

Hellraiser: Bloodline sinks its hooks into past, present and future as it tells the story of Phillip LeMarchand the 18th century toymaker who made the Lament Configuration puzzle box; his descendent John Merchant, a 20th century architect whose most recent building bears a striking resemblance to the Lament Configuration; and Dr. Paul Merchant a 22nd century engineer and designer of The Minos, a space station which is a great deal more than it seems.

4 DISC ULTRA HD SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:

  • 4K restorations of all four films from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films
  • 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) presentations of all four films in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
  • Original lossless stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio for all four films
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Special edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
  • Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin

DISC 1 – HELLRAISER:

  • Audio commentary featuring genre historian (and unit publicist of Hellraiser) Stephen Jones with author and film critic Kim Newman
  • Archival audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker and actor Ashley Laurence, moderated by Peter Atkins
  • Archival audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker
  • Power of Imagination, 60-minute discussion about Hellraiser and the work of Clive Barker by film scholars Sorcha Ní Fhlainn (editor of Clive Barker: Dark Imaginer) and Karmel Kniprath
  • Unboxing Hellraiser, visual essay celebrating the Lament Configuration by genre author Alexandra Benedict (The Beauty of Murder)
  • The Pursuit of Possibilities, 60-minute discussion between acclaimed horror authors Paula D. Ashe (We Are Here to Hurt Each Other) and Eric LaRocca (Everything the Dark Eats) celebrating the queerness of Hellraiser and the importance of Clive Barker as a queer writer
  • Flesh is a Trap, visual essay exploring body horror and transcendence in the work of Clive Barker by genre author Guy Adams (The World House)
  • Extended EPK interviews with Clive Barker and stars Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, and effects artist Bob Keen, shot during the making of Hellraiser, with an introduction by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
  • Original 1987 Electronic Press Kit
  • Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser, archival interview with the actor
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser, archival interview with the iconic actor about his first appearance as 'Pinhead'
  • Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score, archival interview with Coil member Stephen Thrower
  • Trailers and TV spots
  • Image gallery
  • Draft screenplays

DISC 2 – HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II:

  • Audio commentary featuring Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
  • Archival audio commentary with director Tony Randel, writer Peter Atkins and actor Ashley Laurence
  • Audio commentary with director Tony Randel and writer Peter Atkins
  • Hell Was What They Wanted!, 80-minute appreciation of Hellbound, the Hellraiser mythos and the work of Clive Barker by horror authors George Daniel Lea (Born in Blood) and Kit Power (The Finite)
  • That Rat-Slice Sound, appreciation of composer Christopher Young's scores for Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II by Guy Adams
  • Archival on-set interview with Clive Barker
  • Archival on-set interview with cast and crew
  • Behind the scenes footage
  • Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellbound, archival interview about the actor's return to the role of Frank Cotton
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellbound, archival interview with the iconic actor about his second appearance as 'Pinhead'
  • Lost in the Labyrinth, archival featurette including interviews with Barker, Randel, Keen, Atkins and others
  • Trailers and TV spots
  • Image gallery

DISC 3 – HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH:

  • Alternative Unrated version (contains standard definition inserts)
  • Audio commentary featuring Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
  • Archival audio commentary with screenwriter Peter Atkins (Theatrical Cut only)
  • Archival audio commentary with director Anthony Hickox and actor Doug Bradley (Unrated Version only)
  • Extended EPK featuring interviews with Clive Barker and Doug Bradley
  • FX dailies
  • Time with Terri, archival interview with actor Paula Marshall
  • Raising Hell on Earth, archival interview with director Anthony Hickox
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser III, archival interview with the iconic actor about his third appearance as 'Pinhead'
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery

DISC 4 – HELLRAISER: BLOODLINE:

  • Audio commentary featuring screenwriter Peter Atkins, with Stephen Jones and Kim Newman
  • The Beauty of Suffering, featurette exploring the Cenobites' connection to goth, fetish cultures and BDSM
  • Workprint version of the film, providing a fascinating insight into how it changed during post-production
  • Hellraiser Evolutions, archival documentary on the evolution of the franchise and its enduring legacy, featuring interviews with Scott Derrickson (director, Hellraiser: Inferno), Rick Bota (director, Hellraiser: Hellseeker, Deader and Hellworld), Stuart Gordon (director, Re-Animator, From Beyond) and others
  • Books of Blood and Beyond: The Literary Works of Clive Barker, archival appreciation by horror author David Gatwalk of Barker's written work, from The Books of Blood to The Scarlet Gospels
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Image gallery
  • Easter egg