For years, Synapse Films has been working to bring the 1987 horror film The Kindred to Blu-ray for the first time ever. We’ll soon have a chance to see what they have put so much time and effort into, as the company is now accepting pre-orders for a limited edition (just 3500 units) steelbook Blu-ray release of The Kindred. If you’re in North America, you can secure your copy at THIS LINK. For shipping outside of North America, you can order the region free Blu-ray through DiabolikDVD. The release date is December 14th.
Directed by Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter, The Kindred stars Rod Steiger (In the Heat of the Night), Kim Hunter (Planet of the Apes), David Allen Brooks (Manhunter), Amanda Pays (Leviathan), and Talia Balsam (Mad Men). The film has the following synopsis:
Kim Hunter is Dr. Amanda Hollins, a molecular scientist who calls on her son John (Brooks) to eliminate all evidence of her genetic experiments… most specifically her “Anthony Journals.” Dr. Philip Lloyd (Steiger), an acquaintance of Hollins who is familiar with her experiments, wants to continue her studies no matter the cost! John heads to his isolated childhood home with a group of friends to uncover his mother’s research and destroy it all. There’s something else in the house, however… something watching and waiting… a tentacled creature born from the desire to alter human evolution. It’s evil. It’s mad. It’s ready to kill!
Special features on the Blu-ray release include:
New 4K high-definition remaster of the unrated version of the film
New 5.1 stereo surround sound remix (Original 2.0 mono theatrical mix also included)
Audio commentary with directors Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen Carpenter, moderated by horror journalist Steve Barton
Inhuman Experiments – The Making of “The Kindred”, an all-new documentary (52 mins.)
A compilation of creature effects artist Michael McCracken, Jr.’s never-before-seen on-set footage (18 mins.)
Still gallery and original storyboards
Original theatrical trailer, original video promotional trailer and TV spots
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Booklet featuring writing by film scholar and horror expert Michael Gingold
CD soundtrack of the beautiful original film score by David Newman
Limited Edition O-Card/Slipcover with art by Wes Benscoter, with additional Steelbook artwork by Alexandros Pyromallis
The announcement of this release reminds me that I never got around to watching The Kindred back in the day. I would see the VHS in local video stores, but never went through with renting the movie that had a little monster inside a baby bottle on the cover. I’m going to have to make up for this blunder.