Several of Italian master of horror Dario Argento's other films get a lot more attention and praise, but his 1985 film PHENOMENA may well be my favorite of his works, so I'm glad to see that it's getting the special edition treatment from Synapse Films, and they have definitely seized the opportunity to put together a very impressive release for it.
Starring Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi, and Fiore Argento, PHENOMENA (which was edited down and re-titled CREEPERS for its original U.S. release) has the following synopsis:
The young Jenifer Corvino (Connelly) 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 (Pleasence) 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?
Containing three cuts of the film on two Blu-ray discs, a CD soundtrack, a collector's booklet, and a ton of special features, Synapse's Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Steelbook of PHENOMENA is dated for a November 15th release.
The specs:
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 English/Italian 2.0 Stereo, Optional DTS-HD MA Italian 2.0 Stereo
SUBTITLES: EnglishDISC 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 HearingDISC 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 Valle
– Two completely different sound mix options, including the original English 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 CD contains the complete 16 track Goblin instrumental score for PHENOMENA, along with four additional music tracks from Andi Sex Gang and Simon Boswell. This compact disc, exclusively available from Synapse Films, is the first time these music tracks have been included on the same compilation.
If all that sounds enticing to you, you'd do well to head over to Synapse-Films.com and pre-order a copy as soon as possible, because this release is limited to just 3000 units and is sure to sell out soon.
The PHENOMENA Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray Steelbook is going for a price of $45.95, including shipping.