'Something for everybody! A fabulous mix of the unusual, strange, unexpected gems, entertaining... and all starring #PeterCushing - Marcus Brooks - Peter Cushing Appreciation Society UK
Severin
has announced a 6 Blu-ray box set called 'Cushing Curiosities'
featuring 5 films and the surviving episodes of the BBC Sherlock Holmes
TV series
From
Hammer Films to STAR WARS, he remains one of genre films’ best-loved
actors. Now celebrate six of the most unexpected, rarely seen and
decidedly curious performances from the legendary career of PETER
CUSHING: Cushing delivers a rare villain turn in the 1960 aviation
thriller CONE OF SILENCE. That same year, Cushing brought gentle dignity
to The Boulting Brothers’ cold-war drama SUSPECT. In 1962’s THE MAN WHO
FINALLY DIED, Cushing co-stars opposite Stanley Baker as a former Naz
hiding a grave post-war secret. Cushing returns to his iconic role of
SHERLOCK HOLMES in these six surviving episodes of the 1968 BBC-TV
series. The oft-maligned 1971 shocker BLOODSUCKERS can now be reassessed
for the first time in its Restored Extended Version. And Cushing
portrays a vampire for the first and only time in 1974’s off-the-wall
erotic comedy TENDER DRACULA, premiering here in its Director’s Cut.
Each disc has been mastered from original vault elements with over 16
total hours of trailers, commentaries, vintage interviews, location
features and more, plus the all-new 200-page book PETER CUSHING: A
PORTRAIT IN SIX SKETCHES by award-winning horror film historian Jonathan
Rigby.
Disc 1: CONE OF SILENCE (1960)
In one of his rare villain roles – and hailed by the British Film Institute as one of his “10 Essential Films” – Peter Cushing stars as an arrogant pilot who attempts to undermine the investigation into the cause of an airline disaster. Oscar® winner George Sanders (PSYCHOMANIA), Oscar® nominee Michael Craig (TURKEY SHOOT), Elizabeth Seal (VAMPIRE CIRCUS), André Morell (THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES) and Bernard Lee (‘M’ in the James Bond films) co-star in “a film that still resonates today” (Shades of Gray) directed by former Hitchcock editor and Academy Award® nominee Charles Frend (THE CRUEL SEA) – released in America as TROUBLE IN THE SKY and inspired by true events – now featuring a new 2K scan from the dupe negative by the BFI and three hours of rare interviews, newsreels and more.
In one of his rare villain roles – and hailed by the British Film Institute as one of his “10 Essential Films” – Peter Cushing stars as an arrogant pilot who attempts to undermine the investigation into the cause of an airline disaster. Oscar® winner George Sanders (PSYCHOMANIA), Oscar® nominee Michael Craig (TURKEY SHOOT), Elizabeth Seal (VAMPIRE CIRCUS), André Morell (THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES) and Bernard Lee (‘M’ in the James Bond films) co-star in “a film that still resonates today” (Shades of Gray) directed by former Hitchcock editor and Academy Award® nominee Charles Frend (THE CRUEL SEA) – released in America as TROUBLE IN THE SKY and inspired by true events – now featuring a new 2K scan from the dupe negative by the BFI and three hours of rare interviews, newsreels and more.
Special Features:
Newsreel Of Peter Cushing And His Miniature Soldiers
Illustrated Audio Interviews
Peter Cushing On The Funster Show With Paul Carrington
The Guardian Interview With Peter Cushing
Peter Cushing Interviewed By Tony Dalton, Author Of Terence Fisher: Master Of Gothic Cinema
Cushing's View – 1973 Interview With Peter Cushing On Whitstable And His Late Wife Helen
Newsreel Of Peter Cushing And His Miniature Soldiers
Illustrated Audio Interviews
Peter Cushing On The Funster Show With Paul Carrington
The Guardian Interview With Peter Cushing
Peter Cushing Interviewed By Tony Dalton, Author Of Terence Fisher: Master Of Gothic Cinema
Cushing's View – 1973 Interview With Peter Cushing On Whitstable And His Late Wife Helen
Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region Free
Run time: 92 mins
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region Free
Run time: 92 mins
Disc 2: SUSPECT (1960) & THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED (1962)
Peter
Cushing delivered two of his finest non-horror performances in these
early ‘60s dramas: In SUSPECT, Peter Cushing leads a team of research
biologists who may be plotting to sell government secrets to a foreign
power. Donald Pleasence, Ian Bannen (IDENTIKIT) and Spike Milligan
co-star in this “damn good thriller” (Shameless Self Expression)
produced and directed by The Boulting Brothers (BRIGHTON ROCK). THE MAN
WHO FINALLY DIED sees Cushing in one of his most sinister roles as the
family friend of a jazz pianist (Stanley Baker) who uncovers a post-war
conspiracy of suspicious deaths, switched identities and a shocking Nazi
past. Mai Zetterling (THE WITCHES), and Nigel Green (THE SKULL) co-star
in this stylish suspense thriller directed by Quentin Lawrence (THE
TROLLENBERG TERROR), with both films scanned in 2K from the original
negatives by Studio Canal.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary For SUSPECT With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
Audio Commentary For THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED With Kim Newman, Author Of Anno Dracula, And Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir
Audio Commentary For SUSPECT With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
Audio Commentary For THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED With Kim Newman, Author Of Anno Dracula, And Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir
Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1 (Suspect) / 2.35:1 (The Man Who Finally Died)
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region A
Run time: 81 mins (Suspect) / 100 mins (The Man Who Finally Died)
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1 (Suspect) / 2.35:1 (The Man Who Finally Died)
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region A
Run time: 81 mins (Suspect) / 100 mins (The Man Who Finally Died)
Discs 3 & 4: SHERLOCK HOLMES (1968)
Having
first portrayed the legendary detective for Hammer Films in 1959, Peter
Cushing enthusiastically returned to the role of Sherlock Holmes for
this 1968 BBC television series co-starring Nigel Stock (THE LOST
CONTINENT) as Dr. Watson. Though most of the shows were forever lost,
these six surviving episodes – including the two-part The Hound of The
Baskervilles adapted by award-winning playwright Hugh Leonard – showcase
Cushing at his elementary best, with guest stars that include Madge
Ryan (A CLOCKWORK ORANGE), Ann Bell (THE WITCHES), Nick Tate (SPACE:
1999) and Gary Raymond (JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS). This definitive
presentation of SHERLOCK HOLMES – which also includes the classic cases A
Study in Scarlet, The Blue Carbuncle, The Boscombe Valley Mystery and
The Sign of Four – is now scanned from BBC tape protection masters
Special Features:
Audio Commentaries For All Episodes Featuring Kim Newman, Author Of AnnoDracula, Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir And David Stuart Davies, Author Of Starring Sherlock Holmes: A Century Of The Master Detective On Screen
Audio Commentaries For All Episodes Featuring Kim Newman, Author Of AnnoDracula, Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir And David Stuart Davies, Author Of Starring Sherlock Holmes: A Century Of The Master Detective On Screen
All Episodes Available With BBC Countdown Clock
Illustrated Peter Cushing Audio Interview With David Stuart Davies
Lost Segments With Optional Commentary By Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
Illustrated Peter Cushing Audio Interview With David Stuart Davies
Lost Segments With Optional Commentary By Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region A
Run time: 308 mins
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region A
Run time: 308 mins
Disc 5: BLOODSUCKERS (1971)
Perhaps
the most maligned and misunderstood horror film of Peter Cushing’s
career, this notorious 1971 shocker can now be re-evaluated via the
longest version ever assembled: When a brilliant young Oxford professor
disappears while researching in Greece, his mentor (Cushing) launches an
investigation that will trigger a nightmare of ritual sacrifice,
sadomasochistic perversion, deranged academia and one of the most unique
takes on vampirism in genre history. Patrick Macnee (THE AVENGERS),
Alex Davion (THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES) and Edward Woodward (THE WICKER
MAN) co-star in this infamous drama directed by Robert Hartford-Davis
(CORRUPTION) – originally known as INCENSE FOR THE DAMNED in the UK and
FREEDOM SEEKERS in the US – now scanned in 2K from the original negative
with additional elements from a recently discovered 35mm vault print –
including the uncut psychedelic orgy sequence – for the first time ever.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
STRANGER IN THE CITY (1961) – Short Film By Robert Hartford-Davis
Daddy's Girl – Interview With Director Robert Hartford-Davis’ Daughter, Jean Hartford-Davis
Bite Me! – Tigon: Blood On A Budget Author John Hamilton on Robert Hartford-Davis
The Trip – Interview With Uncredited Drug Orgy Actress Françoise Pascal
FREEDOM SEEKER Title Sequence trailer
Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region Free
Run time: 83 min
Disc 6: TENDER DRACULA (1974)
Never
before available on disc in North America, the first and only film in
which Peter Cushing portrayed a vampire is also the most
unapologetically bizarre movie of his entire career: When horror’s
biggest star (Cushing) announces his retirement from the genre, two
dimwit screenwriters and a pair of sexy actresses are dispatched to the
actor’s castle for a lavish farce d’horreur érotique of violence,
whippings, orgies, tender romance and a devilishly dignified performance
by Cushing, even while spanking the bare bottom of French starlet
Miou-Miou. Alida Valli (SUSPIRIA, EYES WITHOUT A FACE) and Bernard Menez
(DRACULA AND SON) co-star in the sole feature film directed by
award-winning producer Pierre Grunstein (TESS, THE DIVING BELL AND THE
BUTTERFLY) – also released as CONFESSIONS OF A BLOOD DRINKER and THE BIG
SCARE – now restored by Pathé, scanned in 2K from the original Paris
vault negative and authorized by the director.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, and Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
Love Me Tender, Dracula – Interview With Director Pierre Grunstein
Menez of Speaking – Interview With Actor Bernard Menez
Trailer
Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Audio: English Mono / French
Closed Captions / English Subtitles
Region A
Run time: 89 mins
$134.95
Sale price
$95.00
Save 30%
PLEASE NOTE: This item is a PRE-ORDER with an official WIDE
street date of 10/17/2023. We hope to begin early shipping all webstore
orders of this item sometime around the Mid- September.
Make YOUR PRE ORDER HERE!
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