Prince Of Darkness [DVD] [2018]

Coming in between "The Thing" and "In the Mouth of Madness" as John Carpenter's Apocalypse Trilogy, Prince of Darkness represents Carpenter's most thoughtful horror film, with creepy and interesting ideas to spare, shocking philosophically and viscerally in equal doses. The plot has it's own joys and if you're avoiding it because you dislike religious-based horror or expect an Exorcist knock-off, you have got it all wrong. This is science-fiction/religious horror and it bears little resemblance to the Judeo-Christian myth. Enough about that - you must see it. This Scream Factory disc includes amazing picture and sound (this score begged for 5.1 surround sound), the same John Carpenter/Peter Jason commentary (fairly average for Carpenter's tracks, which means it's a solid 3/5) that's on the UK Studio Canal DVD (missing the opening remark about the "Studio Canal Plus logo" which is irrelevant as said logo is replaced by the original Universal logo here), a good solid interview with Mr Carpenter, another with a effects guy who also acted in the film, another with Alice Cooper (who acts here and recorded a song for it, briefly heard in the film), one with Alan Howarth (who collaberated on most of John Carpenter's scores between Halloween II/The Fog to They Live), the trailer and radio spots, the alternate opening sequenced edited for American TV which hilariously speeds up the footage to fit it between commercial breaks and attempts to tone down severely anything that might be construed as anti-religious. There's also the customary "Horror's Hallowed Grounds", which is funnier than usual (I still kind of find the host annoying, but these are really fun features) and an easter egg from the 25th anniversary screening of the film which features some of Carp's funniest answers to questions. This is THE version of the film to own. I find it VERY unlikely it will be topped by anyone for years and years to come.

Very good movie that has Lovecraftian vibes. The mix of humour and horror was great and quite subtle.

Acclaimed director John Carpenter's penultimate end to his phenomenal '80s run (that closed out with the sublime 'They Live') is a wonderful slice of hokum that manages to mix religion and scientific mumbo jumbo in a diverting effort that balances honest to goodness horror with a slight bout of brain matter gymnastics. Following the death of a clergyman, the efficiently monikered 'Priest' (Donald Pleasence) invites quantum physicist Professor Howard Birack (Victor Wong) and his students to join him in his monastery where they plan to investigate the appearance of a mysterious cylinder holding an odd swirling liquid. Priest believes the worst and is dismayed to learn its making its presence increasingly 'felt' by turning the surrounding area's inhabitants... well, a little bit weird. Cue the obligatory butting of heads as religious belief crashes headlong into scientific 'fact' when the group begin to encounter what is hidden within its glass casing. Becoming stronger hour by hour and broadcasting complex streams of ancient data, this mystery box begins to affect the various students (led by Jameson Parker, Lisa Blount and Dennis Dun), leading up to the inevitable release of what (or whom) is hidden within the mysterious swirling green gas... I have to say, this late in the game John Carpenter effort is a real humdinger. Sure, it doesn’t offer the fun ’n frolics of ‘The Thing’, ‘Halloween’ or ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ - but as a low budget back to basics effort, it certainly succeeds more than it fails. From the brooding atmosphere highlighting Gary Kibbes’ cinematography and Carpenters’ precision point framing to the tight as a drum editing from Steve Mirkovich, the movie is given time to breathe but also ensures each shock or jolt is masterfully enhanced - allowing this loose(ish) redux of ‘Assault on Precinct 13’ (but with added devilry!) to become an efficient exercise in horror moviemaking. As is the norm with Carpenter, we don’t simply have to rest on his technical expertise as he fills his movies with great acting talent and in another crowd pleaser - Donald Pleasence adds one more great Carpenter performance to his resume. ‘Ol D-Man holds the movie well and anchors the weirdness around him, ably assisted by Victor Wong and Dennis Dun - who bring up the rear admirably. Lisa Blount too is very good but I was less enamoured by co-lead James Parker who takes the standard Tom Atkins role, but seemingly does little with it. However, its a minor quibble as the movie is so well mounted - its hard to knock. StudioCanal’s UK blu-ray gives the movie a stunning transfer with amazing audio from a recent 4k scan. Carpenter’s movies are genuinely beautiful films and even though this was a low budget studio flick back in ’87, it still looks very stylish with pitch perfect look and feel. A number of special extra features round out the package which include a brand new retrospective documentary featuring many of the cast and crew, an old audio commentary track featuring Carpenter and actor Peter Jason, scene analysis with Carpenter (again an old feature from 2003), a tour of the film’s locations, trailer and photo gallery. All in all, the movie itself is the real prize here but the extras (even some being quite old now) elevate the release that is certainly worth a rediscover for older fans and a genuine delight for newbies arriving at the alter of one of modern cinema’s best fright mongers. Some may find the tone a little dry, but for me this is peak Carpenter at his most thought provoking. Highly recommended.

I actually screamed at one part. Scary music and even scarier film. Loved it

One of Carpenter's best.

This is one of two movies,Carpenter made for Alive films,the other is They Live,this one is better,slow burning,but if your in the right mood,late at night,just the best low budget horror you need,has lots going for it,Alice Cooper as the street nutter,great soundtrack,get it on vinyl lp as it`s the best version,Donald Pleasence who did not have a pension fund,just Halloween,and you cannot go wrong,ok the script is grade Z,made on a refund from Pleasence`s wages,and the story of satan trying to enter our world is well nothing new,but for some jump out of your seat thrills,perfect,go watch.This region 1 ntsc import from Universal is the best,WIDESCREEN,and dolby surround,which if you have a 5.1 amp sounds superb,infact better than some modern films,the Carpenter music just stands out so well.

At last, finally, a 2017 reissue by Studio Canal on DVD. All we need now is a 2 or even better a 4 K restoration with tons of extra's on preferably Arrow Video seen until now Studio Canal has - to the best of my knowledge - no intentions to release this Carpenter masterpiece on blu-ray. Together with The Thing and In The Mouth Of Madness this movie Carpenter considers it as his Apocalypse Trilogy. This is a mysterious horror movie with a good story and - which i like the most - an open ending. If Carpenter ever has the money and good script to do a sequel than this should be the one next to a sequel to The Thing. But for now we have to do with this Studio Canal 2017 DVD reissue. Highest possible recommendation.

Regista, compositore, maestro del cinema, è stato definito in molti modi nel corso della sua lunga carriera. Di sicuro John Carpenter, nell'arco di 20 anni, ha contribuito a rifondare temi e stilemi del cinema horror e non, regalandoci cult, opere seminali e veri e propri capolavori come quelli ripubblicati in queste edizioni blu-ray doppio disco a dir poco straordinarie. Qualità video e audio al top e contenuti extra a go go! Manca il doppiaggio in italiano ma in questo caso ne faccio volentieri a meno.. Straconsigliato a tutti i veri fan! Amazon mi ha abituato alle consegne in anticipo, ha effettuato la consegna con ben 2 giorni di anticipo! Non 5 ma 10 STELLE!!

Superbe film d’épouvante par le maître du genre , Blue ray 4K exellent

...mi ha portato male: Infatti non era la versione francese, ma una zona 1 non riproducibile dal mio lettore. Restituito.

今回このアメリカ版ブルーレイセットは今までのスタジオ・カナル版DVDのマスターとは全く異なる高画質です！通常のブルーレイしか持っていないのでUHDの画質は確認出来ないのが残念です。それでも通常ブルーレイでも4Kマスターの様なのでとても良いです。WOWOWで放送された5.1サラウンドが貧弱な音だったのに比べ、今回の商品はどちらのディスクもドルビーアトモス収録されており音楽もパワーアップ！特典映像は2013年に発売されたアメリカ版ブルーレイとほぼ同じ様ですが、それでも日本版ブルーレイよりは多い筈。日本語字幕はないけど綺麗な映像と低音の響きを楽しめるのは今の所この商品だけです！カ－ペンタ－ファンの皆様はお見逃しなく。

For the diehard fans out there of John Carpenter and of particularly PRINCE OF DARKNESS, this review is for you. Chances are, this is as good as it is going to get for this film. Germany and Japan have had their own blu-rays, and neither seem to actually stand up to this. Remembering that this was (As they themselves said) Scream!Factory's most requested title, let't take a look. VIDEO: There has been some talk of edge enhancement. It doesn't seem that bad. Definitely not noticible to me anyway, and I've been watching the Universal DVD for the past eight years. What is noticible is that the increased color range and sharpening make a difference. Details are great, even if the anamorphic lenses used on the film blurred the edges of the frame a bit. But it does effect things like Alice Cooper's make up in the film. He's no longer a pasty white anylonger, more natural fleshtones are apparent. No one has heard, nor did Shout - mention that Carpenter or Gary B. Kibbe supervised this transfer so I guess it's really up to the consumer as to what they want. But such details. Audio: It's great. Noticible differences from previous DVD copies - the scene where the Priest is talking to his superiors in the court yard at the beginning has more audiable sprinkler sounds. Just great stuff. The soundtrack pops well. Extras This is what we've all come for, right? I really wish I knew what the making of this disc was like. Before this, if you wanted a really good disc of PRINCE OF DARKNESS, you either got the British DVD or if you really wanted the creme de la creme, the Caheirs du Cinema DVD of the film. Not every special feature in the world is included on this blu-ray. Maybe that's a good thing. The introduction and scene analysis features from the French DVD have been said to be lackluster. What Scream! self produced is great. Interestingly enough, Carpenter looks better than he did in other Scream! produced featurettes. And though some of what he says is repeated in the audio commentary (Taken from the European/Studio Cannal release), the repetition comes with greater details to his anecdotes. The Alice Cooper interview kind of sucks, certain questions didn't seem to have been answered, such as his song PRINCE OF DARKNESS - was it written for the film? We hear it in the film and it wasn't released officially on an album until 1988. The Robert Grasmere interview is full of great stuff. He remembers the film fondly and vividly, even bringing with him some props to show. Alan Howarths' interview plays more like an overview of his time working with Carpenter than about the POD score specifically. To bring this up, the alternate for TV edit of the begining. Yes, it comes with everything that the fabled TV edit is supposed to come with. They don't include things like Donald Pleasance actually reading the diary via ADR over the footage that is already there in the theatrical cut, but it's great stuff. Great stuff. A trailer is there, but it comes with two radio spots as well. Sweet. A TV spot has surfaced on youtube, but eh, make your own second disc for this release! Horror's haunted grounds is fun, though not really substantially. A fun piece. An obvious easter egg is a video from the 25th anniversary screening Q and A. It's okay. Nothing in depth. If you are a fan and want more, either wait for stuff to pop up on the internet to download or buy this release. And I do suggest you buy it. Sure, it doesn't have a booklet with some well written articles on the film (and they're out there), and it doesn't have the video of the premiere at Universal Studios (which could have been bought by Getty Images for $500), but it's great none the less. Buy it now. Don't need to be an alien from THEY LIVE to tell you that.