Underrated Mario Bava giallo comes to UK DVD and Blu-ray.
In case you haven’t already done so, circle February 1st on your creepy calendar to remind you that Arrow Video is releasing their UK only, Region B, deluxe Blu-ray and DVD edition of Italian horror pioneer Mario Bava’s underrated and stylish 1979 pseudo-giallo FIVE DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON.
FIVE DOLLS stars Eurocult goddess Edwige Fenech as one of a slew of pretty people summoned by their wealthy friend George Stark (a name Stephen King would later use for his novel THE DARK HALF) to his gorgeous, remote island. Once the sunbathing beauties arrive however, a ten (or in this case, 5) little Indians scenario ensues with the unlucky lads and ladies getting violently knocked off one by one.
This dual-format release joins a roster of previous Bava titles released through Arrow Video – A Bay of Blood, Black Sunday, Black Sabbath, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, Lisa and the Devil, Rabid Dogs and Blood and Black Lace.
The release comes loaded with a wealth of bonus content including the documentary Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre a profile of the director, hosted by Mark Kermode and featuring interviews with Joe Dante, John Carpenter and Tim Burton).
Here’s a list of the special features:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
- Optional English and Italian soundtracks presented in original uncompressed mono PCM audio
- Optional isolated Music and Effects track
- Optional English subtitles for the Italian audio and English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English audio
- Audio commentary by Mario Bavas biographer Tim Lucas
- Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre a documentary profile of the director, hosted by Mark Kermode and featuring interviews with Joe Dante, John Carpenter and Tim Burton
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
- Illustrated collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film by Glenn Kenny and a new essay by Adrian Smith on the Fancey family and their efforts to bring international exploitation titles, including Five Dolls for an August Moon, to a UK audience during the 60s, 70s and 80s
Reminder that this is indeed a UK release so unless you’re in Europe, you’ll need a region free player to absorb it. We suggest getting one of those, by the way…
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