Thriller - A Cruel Picture 4K UHD coming from Vinegar Syndrome

[BunyipPouch]

Holy crap. Huge announcement from Vinegar Syndrome.



Plus, we’re upping our game in May and November, promising to bring you our best sales months lineups yet, packed with crucial films such as Bo Arne Vibenius’ notorious cult classic, THRILLER - A CRUEL PICTURE, which we will be presenting in its worldwide, 4K UHD and Blu-ray debut (under exclusive license from Christofer Vibenius), in an extras loaded edition, featuring a brand new, VS produced, 4K restoration from its 16mm Original Camera Negative!

Synapse's upcoming bluray release just took a big hit.

[BunyipPouch]

Small bit of news about extras, there will be a commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas:

[BunyipPouch]

Update:

This will be released in May 2022, as per a Vinegar Syndrome banner on their website. I'm not sure if it's brand new or not, but I had never seen it:

[unberechenbar]

Weird that this release isn't getting any discussion at all. I've never seen it.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

Weird that this release isn't getting any discussion at all. I've never seen it.

Probably because Synapse rushed out their release from an old master, and there's a thread about that.

[sb5]

The thread in the Blu Ray section, which is about the same release (along with yet another thread about Synapse’s quickie release) has been getting all the conversation, but it’s mostly been arguing about the hardcore insert shots for the past several days.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=345618&page=8

[phobicsquirrel]

Originally Posted by sb5

The thread in the Blu Ray section, which is about the same release (along with yet another thread about Synapse’s quickie release) has been getting all the conversation, but it’s mostly been arguing about the hardcore insert shots for the past several days.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=345618&page=8

Way too many snowflakes here

[brainofj72]

From the new VS newsletter:

We've already spilled a lot of ink on our exclusively licensed edition of THRILLER, but it bears repeating: we are currently working on a new and exclusive restoration of the film from its never before accessed uncensensored original camera negative, which will present the film looking bigger and better than it ever has before.

Extras are also stacking up, including revealing interviews with star Christina Lindberg, along with numerous other cast and crew who have never publicly discussed their work on the film. On top of that, we have plentiful trailers, stills, outtakes, and artwork galleries, and even a very special extra featuring the film's enigmatic director, Bo Arne Vibenius!

And yes, we are aware of the inferior BD, utilizing a nearly 20 year old master that is being sold and are working to resolve that situation. But if you, as a connoisseur of exploitation cinema, wish to see THRILLER looking the best it ever has, and in the most comprehensive edition that ever will be, and believe that filmmakers ought to be respected (and paid for their work) we highly encourage you to wait a few more weeks to place an order for the VS edition. It'll be worth it.

[Braktastic]

I cancelled my Synapse order as soon as I learned about the VS release. I know they'll knock this out of the park.

[phobicsquirrel]

I love the dig at the "other" release... I'm so pumped for this!

[nin74]

Originally Posted by Braktastic

I cancelled my Synapse order as soon as I learned about the VS release. I know they'll knock this out of the park.

They will!

[Dimebag Darrell]

1974-04-04: Original version 1:48 long. Banned
1974-05-06: Shortened version at 1:29:21. Banned
1974-05-10: Even more truncated, 1:25:53

Hopefully we get the 1:48 long version!

[BunyipPouch]

Update from Facebook, stolen from the VS thread:

THRILLER update! While conforming the AB rolls, Kurtis discovered that the negative contains a brief (roughly one minute) additional [nude] sequence with Christina and the Lesbian, which has never made it to any previous release.

And just this morning, Kurtis discovered another exciting bit of previously unreleased material…but I’ll save the specifics for closer to the release.

[whiteberry]

This special limited edition slipbox + dual slipcover set (like Flesh For Frankenstein) was designed by Tony Stella & Earl Kess and contains four discs:
UHD disc1: THRILLER uncut festival version (108min)
UHD disc2: THEY CALL HER ONE EYE original English language version (90min)
BD disc1: THRILLER
BD disc2: THEY CALL HER ONE EYE + Special Features

Rendered mute after being sexually assaulted as a youth, Madeleine (sexploitation superstar, Christina Lindberg) lives an isolated existence in her parents' farmhouse. Missing the bus on her way to town one day, Madeleine accepts a lift from a wealthy and charming stranger named Tony. What starts off as an innocent meeting soon takes a nightmarish turn when Madeleine learns that Tony is really a sadistic pimp on the make, who soon enslaves her into his prostitution racket by forcing her to become dependent on heroin. After refusing to service a client, Tony punishes Madeleine by violently blinding her in one eye, forcing her to wear an eyepatch. Despite her limited means, Madeleine secretly saves money to undergo karate and weapons training behind Tony's back. Once she reaches lethal proficiency, Madeleine embarks on a bloody road to revenge against her captors...

From maverick Swedish director, Bo Arne Vibenius, THRILLER – A CRUEL PICTURE is indisputably one of Grindhouse cinema’s crown jewels. Filled with unforgettable moments of sleazy sex and vicious brutality, including one of the most jarring scenes in exploitation film history, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to unleash the definitive THRILLER experience on UHD for the very first time, lovingly assembled from a pristine 4K restoration of the fully uncensored 16mm camera negative, containing never before seen material. This special edition also contains a bounty of exclusive extra features, including the complete original English language version, THEY CALL HER ONE EYE (aka HOOKER’S REVENGE), containing alternate and extended footage not seen since the film’s 42nd Street playdates.

directed by: Bo Arne Vibenius
starring: Christina Lindberg, Heinz Hopf, Despina Tomazani, Solveig Andersson
1973 / 108min (uncut) and 90min (TCHOE) / 1.66:1 / Swedish & English Mono

Additional info:

• Region Free 4K Ultra HD x2 / Blu-ray x2 Set
• 4k UHD presented in High-Dynamic-Range
• Newly scanned & restored in 4k from it’s 16mm original camera negative
• Original Swedish Mono Audio for the uncut festival version of THRILLER
• Original, un-tampered with, English dub track for both versions
• "Thriller - A Cruel Documentary" - a 43 minute making-of documentary featuring narration by writer/director Bo Arne Vibenius and on camera interviews with: Christina Lindberg (star), Bo Sunnefeldt (stuntman), Lasse Lundgren (stuntman) and Gunnar Palm (stunt driver)
• An interview with Christina Lindberg by filmmaker Adrian Garcia Bogliano in 2017
• A Q&A with Christina Lindberg from a November 11, 2017 screening of THRILLER at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, TX
• Multiple theatrical trailers and TV spots (all newly scanned)
• Extensive gallery of production/publicity stills and advertising materials
• Additional extras TBD
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles

Ships after Halfway to Black Friday (May 27-30)

https://vinegarsyndrome.com/collecti...-cruel-picture

[dcx4610]

A little more expensive than I was anticipating but I still bit. I've only seen it once and it was a really bad quality bootleg years ago but it was solid. Looking forward to seeing it cleaned up and the uncut version.

I went with Drop Dead Fred to get it over $75 with the free shipping. Also a film I haven't seen since I was a kid but loved it back then. Just hope it holds up and still makes me laugh.

[Braktastic]

I ordered this around 12:05am EST this morning.

[GoodAsBlu]

Ouch! $100 Canadian and $63 on-sale?! Let me think about that...

[Slasherob]

Originally Posted by Dimebag Darrell

1974-04-04: Original version 1:48 long. Banned
1974-05-06: Shortened version at 1:29:21. Banned
1974-05-10: Even more truncated, 1:25:53

Hopefully we get the 1:48 long version!

So it appears we are getting both banned versions?

[Dimebag Darrell]

Got mine just after midnight.

[brainofj72]

Holy moly, sounds like this is already quite the success for VS.

At last we've unveiled the nearly full specs for our Limited Deluxe Edition of THRILLER! This 2xUHD/2xBD set contains the world home video debuts of both the uncensored original Cannes Festival version as well as the unseen for nearly 50 years International Theatrical Version & Official English Language Cut, THEY CALL HER ONE EYE! Both have been newly and exclusively scanned in 4K from the original negative and are presented in stunning UHD. The UHD of TCHOE is also exclusive to this Deluxe Edition. As it currently stands, this Deluxe Edition of THRILLER is over halfway sold out (!) and, given the current enthusiasm, while it might make it to the Halfway Sale, it very likely won't survive that weekend. Remember, this weekend will mark its lowest price ever, so if you need THRILLER and THEY CALL HER ONE EYE in UHD, now is the ideal time to get it.