I am a big Dario Argento fan. Aren't we all? But, seriously, I have limited-deluxe-special unicorn-Kevlar lead-box editions of SUSPIRIA and DEEP RED. And while I am in the slight minority in thinking Argneto's DEEP RED is his masterpiece, that does NOT mean I do not think SUSPIRIA isn't a masterpiece in it's own right. Not bad having TWO masterpieces, huh, Argento?
A few years back – funny enough based on the suggestion made by The Arrow himself – I finally checked out the hard to find Argento film PHENOMENA (or, you know CREEPERS) and fell head-over-heels in love into its pit of rotten human remains (seriously you have to see this movie).
This flick has everything! A young Jennifer Connelly killing it with the charisma? Check. Donald "Loomis" Pleasence classing up the joint? Check. A ton of WILD gore AND a fuc*ing chimp gone batsh*t with a straight razor!
What more could you ask for?
Well High-Def Ninja and Synapse Films actually have an answer to that rhetorical question. A 2-disc limited deluxe special unicorn Kevlar lead box at the bottom of the sea edition of PHENOMENA loaded with special features! Read on!
"Synapse Films is proud to present Dario Argento’s PHENOMENA in a beautiful Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Steelbook® (only 3000 units produced), containing THREE different cuts of the film spread over two high-definition Blu-ray discs and loaded with extra features! An EXCLUSIVE CD created specifically for this release, and a collector’s booklet with liner notes from writer Michael Gingold, former New Line Cinema publicist Gary Hertz and technical notes from disc co-producer Vincent Pereira complete this unique and amazing Special Edition package.
One of legendary filmmaker Dario Argento’s most shocking and fantastic films is finally available on Blu-ray in the U.S. in an amazing new release from Synapse Films! Released in the U.S. as CREEPERS by New Line Cinema, 1985’s PHENOMENA is has long been one of Argento’s most discussed and debated films by fans and scholars, and now it’s available in a definitive 3-disc Steelbook® that will make it a must-have release for Argento fans all over the world!"
And the film's synopsis via High-Def Ninja:
"The young Jenifer Corvino (played by Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly, in one of her first film roles) is sent to a private Swiss academy for girls where a vicious killer is on the loose, brutally murdering students. Jennifer is a “gifted” girl with the strange ability to communicate with insects, and Dr. McGregor (Donald Pleasence, John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN series, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK) enlists her to help locate the killer. Jennifer finds herself in a bizarre murder plot with maggots, mutants, and razor-wielding chimpanzee mayhem! Can she uncover the killer’s identity before becoming a victim herself? Daria Nicolodi (TENEBRAE) and Fiore Argento (DEMONS) also star in this strange, unique and gory film from Italy’s Master of Horror, Dario Argento. PHENOMENA also features fantastic soundtrack music from progressive-rock favorite Goblin, British Heavy Metal masters Motörhead & Iron Maiden, Andi Sex Gang, Bill Wyman and Simon Boswell!"
And finally, here are some specs on the 3-Discs:
DISC 1 (Blu-ray)
PHENOMENA (116 minute version)
This English/Italian hybrid cut of PHENOMENA contains an additional six minutes of material not seen in the 110 minute version. Completely remixed by Synapse Films to seamlessly integrate the additional Italian audio segments into the feature, and remastered in high-definition, this version of PHENOMENA is now available for the FIRST TIME EVER in North America!
VIDEO: High-Definition 1080p (1.66:1) Presentation
AUDIO: DTS-HD MA 2.0 English/Italian Stereo, Optional DTS-HD MA 2.0 Italian Stereo
SUBTITLES: English
DISC 1 SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
Newly remixed English/Italian 2.0 stereo mix for the 116 minute version of PHENOMENA.Original Italian 2.0 stereo mix
Multiple optional subtitle selections, including one for just the foreign language segments of the hybrid version, complete English subtitles for the entire feature, and complete English subtitles for the Italian version of the film.
CREEPERS (83 minute U.S. release version)
Synapse Films is proud to present the U.S. version of CREEPERS, now available for the FIRST TIME EVER remastered in high-definition (1080p 1.66:1 Presentation). Includes optional English subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.DISC 2 (Blu-ray)
PHENOMENA (110 minute version)
This international version of PHENOMENA was released in 1985 and contains almost 30 minutes of additional footage not seen in the CREEPERS U.S. version. Completely remastered in high-definition and released, for the FIRST TIME EVER, on Blu-ray!
VIDEO: High-Definition 1080p (1.66:1) Presentation
AUDIO: DTS-HD MA English 2.0 Stereo
SUBTITLES: English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
DISC 2 SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
Audio Commentary Track on PHENOMENA from Argento scholar and author, Derek Botelho and film historian, journalist and radio/television commentator, David Del ValleTwo completely different sound mix options, including the original 2.0 stereo mix, along with a rare alternate mix containing different sound effects and music cues.
DARIO ARGENTO’S WORLD OF HORROR – Documentary
A fascinating look at the early films of director Dario Argento, including PHENOMENA, SUSPIRIA, DEMONS, DAWN OF THE DEAD, INFERNO and many more! Containing candid interviews and awesome behind-the-scenes footage, DARIO ARGENTO’S WORLD OF HORROR gives us a look into the mind of Italy’s Master of Horror and is an essential viewing experience for all Argento fans.Interview with Andi Sex Gang
PHENOMENA – International Theatrical Trailer
CREEPERS – U.S. Theatrical Trailer & Radio Spots
Optional English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard for Hearing on PHENOMENA
DISC 3 – Exclusive Synapse Films PHENOMENA Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD
This original motion picture soundtrack contains the complete 16 track Goblin instrumental score for PHENOMENA, along with four additional music tracks from Andi Sex Gang and Simon Boswell. This CD, exclusively available from Synapse Films, is the first time these music tracks have been included on the same CD compilation.
You can check out Hi-Def Ninja's website HERE and their store page HERE.