Faces of Death 30th Anniversary Edition Coming to DVD and Blu-ray
Can you stomach it? The controversial underground film Faces of Death has resurfaced just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its release. This notorious film circulated on VHS throughout the 80’s, showcasing what it claimed were real scenes of graphic death and violence (most of which were later proven to be fake). Of course, that didn’t stop the movie from getting banned in a number of countries, and also spawning a handful of low budget sequels. Soon you will be able to revisit the madness and put your nerves to the test once again with a shiny new version of the original Faces of Death, coming this October to DVD and Blu-ray!
Although the movie is made up primarily of grainy 8mm footage, distributor MPI has completely remastered it in 1080 video and provided a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack! Not too shabby. It also comes with the following extra features:
- Featurette: Choice Cuts with Editor Glenn Gurner
- Featurette: The Death Makers with Special Make-Up FX Creators Allan A. Apone and Douglas J. White
- Deleted scenes
- Outtakes
- Theatrical trailers
I’m definitely curious to see how they staged some of these scenes. On a related note, there was supposed to be a remake in development, but it seems to have dropped off the map as of late. Last year there was a teaser trailer on the web, and J.T. Petty was lined up to direct, but apparently he’s no longer involved (his new film The Burrowers will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September). Will this re-release spark enough interest to get the wheels in motion again? The Faces of Death 30th Anniversary Edition hits stores on October 7th.
Comments (13)
I’m definitely on this. THE ONLY TRUE WAY TO EXPERIENCE FACES OF DEATH IS IN HIGH DENSITY.
Posted by Jay C. on July 24th, 2008I predict this will be Jays most excited review since the Cops: 20th Anniversary DVD.
Posted by Henrik on July 24th, 2008I can’e believe this is seriously getting the HD treatment. How odd.
Posted by Jon Rocks on July 24th, 2008I haven’t seen it since the days of VHS. It won’t be a BD demo for HD newbs but I’m dying for unique BD content. Why can’t they realize current Blu-ray owners are either rich guys (30%) or movie fanatics (70%)!?
We videohounds are on the hunt for more eccentric films (we already have the classics).
We will not fall for a T2 with no special features (we already have the fully loaded DVDs in a “titanium” case).
We want Blue Underground to hurry up with their releases (not too fast, lest we get a bad transfer).
Posted by Ryan M. on July 24th, 2008I just think this particular title actually benefits from the gritty, oft-duplicated, VHS aesthetic. To have this in too clean and tidy of a release will take something away from the experience.
Posted by Jon Rocks on July 24th, 200830 year anniversary? Ouch I feel old. Remember passing these tapes around in high-school back in the day…
Oddest Blu-Ray choice so far….
Posted by Kurt on July 24th, 2008OH, and with You-Tube, and various internet video sources and what not, there are going to be a lot of disappointed kiddes watching this saying, “What’s the big deal?”
THE ULTIMATE TABOO – heh. I doubt this has aged well…
Posted by Kurt on July 24th, 2008I’m so on this. Shit film but the cultural phenomena that it became is one for the books. I’m mostly interested in the documentary though. I’ve always wanted to know more about the making of it.
As for the “remake” I think they were not going to go the documentary route but rather a straight horror film with the doctor character from the films. That’s what I get from the teaser at least.
Posted by swarez on July 25th, 2008I agree that this is better on a 3rd generation VHS tape.
Posted by Paul on July 25th, 2008Find a copy of a movie called “Death Scenes II” – I dare you.
Posted by Andrew James on July 25th, 2008Double dare?
Posted by Jay C. on July 25th, 2008I sense a new Movie Club Podcast title.
Posted by Sean on July 25th, 2008i vow to not ever watch this. it will join the ranks of: karla, cannibal hollocaust, bravestar and quantum leap.
Posted by megan on July 25th, 2008Leave a Reply