Harlequin 4K UHD (1980) (Indicator)

[MifuneFan]

Indicator will be releasing the Ozploitation film Harlequin (1980) on 4K UHD on March 18th. They're also releasing Thirst (1979) the same day as well.

Harlequin (1980) 4K UHD (also available on Blu-ray)

https://www.powerhousefilms.co.uk/co...n-4k-uhd-le-us

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION 4K UHD SPECIAL FEATURES

• Brand-new 4K HDR restoration from the original negative by Powerhouse Films
• 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original mono audio
• Audio commentary with director Simon Wincer and producer Antony I Ginnane (2004)
• Archival TV interview with actors David Hemmings and Robert Powell (1980)
• Archival audio interview with Simon Wincer (1979)
• Archival audio interview with associate producer Jane Scott (1979)
• Archival audio interview with production designer Bernard Hides (1979)
• ‘Not Quite Hollywood’ Interviews (2008): extensive selection of outtakes from Mark Hartley’s acclaimed documentary on Australian cinema, featuring Wincer, Ginnane, writer Everett De Roche, and actor Gus Mercurio
• Appreciation by the academic and Australian cinema specialist Stephen Morgan (2024)
• Destruction from Down Under (2018): Kim Newman revisits the Australian genre film boom of the 1970s and 1980s
• Isolated score
• Original teaser trailer
• Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity material, and behind the scenes
• Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Julian Upton, exclusive extracts from producer Antony I Ginnane’s unpublished memoirs, archival interviews with director Simon Wincer and art director Bernard Hides, and film credits
• World premiere on 4K UHD
• Limited edition of 10,000 individually numbered units (6,000 4K UHDs and 4,000 Blu-rays) for the UK and US

(Simon Wincer, 1980)
Release date: 18 March 2025
Limited Edition 4K UHD (World premiere)

Robert Powell (The Survivor), David Hemmings (Fragment of Fear), Carmen Duncan (Turkey Shoot), and Broderick Crawford (The Mob) star in Harlequin, a mysterious and fantastical thriller from director Simon Wincer (Snapshot) and writer Everett De Roche (Roadgames).

When eccentric faith healer Gregory Wolfe (Powell) apparently cures the terminally ill son of Senator Nick Rast (Hemmings), Rast’s wife (Duncan) places her faith in Wolfe’s powers. But when Wolfe begins meddling in sensitive government business, political fixer Doc Wheelan (Crawford) decides to make the problem go away...

Inspired by Rasputin’s influence over the Russian court, Harlequin (released in the US as Dark Forces) is a classic Australian chiller from producer Antony I Ginnane (Patrick).

[dallywhitty]

That cover's ace.

[RillIris]

Really enjoyed the last pair of Ozploitation releases they did, so in for these as well. I know a few wished they had put something else out that particular month, but not me, Ozploitation was my introduction to this particular label and without them I probably still would not have anything from them yet (but I’m certainly more open to their titles now for sure). Easily some of the best limited edition packaging on the market, space saving and it protects the disc well, while still giving that nice booklet to dig thru.

[Gacivory]

At a quick glance, thought that was Adam Ant on the cover.

[pikwik]

I've always been intrigued by this film's posters and trailers. I might blind buy it just to finally own an Indicator release.

[lilboyblu]

Originally Posted by pikwik

I've always been intrigued by this film's posters and trailers. I might blind buy it just to finally own an Indicator release.

Had the Scorpion Blu-ray of this. Went in with minimal expectations at the time as I didn't know anything of it, but it ended up becoming one of my favorites. An Indicator release, and on 4K too no less, is a godsend. They are one of the best boutique labels there is. Buy with confidence.

[fredoviola]

Loved this film. I can’t remember how I saw it, but was really surprised by the imagination, the strangeness, the technical qualities. It’s a very good and memorable film.

[DaylightsEnd]

Indicator has done a miraculous job again. Cinematic magic indeed. True to the original look of the film, this is a very colorful, robust master on my 77" oled. Primaries are dense, vibrant and strong, without oversaturation or bleed. Blacks are dense with no showing of solidification or crush. Skin tones are on the warm side. Some of the weird, dreamy, hazy stylistic lighting is retained without any clipping of highlights. Grain looks fine, tight and natural. Some slightly funky color or density fluctuation issues one may notice in a couple of scenes are clearly source-related damage best left alone. On the whole, this is another remarkable top-down rebuild on a fantastic-looking film, now properly served up on the uhd platform. Undoubtedly, this is, and shall remain, the definitive release of this title on home video.

The film itself is somewhat of an oddity. Indulgently Eccentric might be a fair summation. It's almost a bizarre mash-up of God Told Me To, The Dead Zone, and half a dozen other supernatural, quasi-religious-themed paranoia/conspiracy/crooked politician/light horror films of the late-1970s. The characters, and their inexplicable abilities and behaviorisms, are an enigma, and remain so throughout. There's a healthy feathering of Cirque du Soleil gone wrong into the whole affair. The excellent, vibrant, mastering job suits the tone of the film beautifully.

Longtime fans of this conversation piece of flamboyant celluloid won't believe their eyes. Newcomers won't believe what they're watching. Is it an edgy, slow-building drama with religious underpinnings? Fallen guardian angels and demons, or Aliens? Magic meets faith healers? Religion, or science, or both? It's best for the viewer to decide. I will say, that's one hell of a jumpsuit in the final act.

[Indicator]

Final specs for Harlequin:

[Latheofheaven]

Originally Posted by pikwik

I've always been intrigued by this film's posters and trailers. I might blind buy it just to finally own an Indicator release.

If you don't mind a heavy layer of Fantasy in your Mystery/Thrillers, then you should like it!

[Latheofheaven]

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

Had the Scorpion Blu-ray of this. Went in with minimal expectations at the time as I didn't know anything of it, but it ended up becoming one of my favorites. An Indicator release, and on 4K too no less, is a godsend. They are one of the best boutique labels there is. Buy with confidence.

How do you feel about the Scorpion compared to this release, especially picture wise, thanks!

[All Darc]

Impressive transfer, 4K from camera negatives.

But the dupes looks so poor, like it was made with print stock, like fast speed print stock.

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by All Darc

Impressive transfer, 4K from camera negatives.

But the dupes looks so poor, like it was made with print stock, like fast speed print stock.

It's pretty much consistent with its typical late-'70s/early-'80s medium-to-lower budget techniques, content, and elements. Indicator was wise to leave it be, as-is, rather than try to digitally reconstruct/rebuild and futz with everything that's period-correct and not pristine (which was never going to be pristine).

[Watershipdownisgood]

I'm currently watching the Indicator Blu-Ray, which is Region free and it looks really really good. That being said, this is one of the most bizarre, and otherworldly Australian films, and films in general I've ever seen. It's brilliant I love it

Robert Powell is quite unbelievably Haunting in this and David Hemmings is great in practically anything

I really need to check out more Ozploitation flicks.

I've seen
Stunt Rock
Razorback
Midnite Spares
Turkey Shoot
Mad Max 1 and The Road Warrior
Day of the Panther I hear Strike of the Panther is quite meh so I haven't watched the sequel yet
The Cars that Ate Paris
The Year of Living Dangerously this needs a Blu-Ray immediately
Dead End Drive In
Death in Brunswick
Harlequin

[Indicator]

Originally Posted by Watershipdownisgood

I really need to check out more Ozploitation flicks.

More are on their way!

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by Indicator

More are on their way!

This is music to my ears. Along with the Rollin releases, you guys totally have my wallet in your corner.

I'd love to see Long Weekend (1978) get a uhd release, although I'm uncertain who may hold the 4k rights on your side of the pond. I think the last UK release of the title in HD was Second Sight's 1080p blu ray back in 2018.

[DaylightsEnd]

I'd also instantly peel for uhd releases of Turkey Shoot, Fair Game, Rogue, Black Water, Dying Breed, Storm Warning, Long Weekend (2008 remake), The Horseman, The Reef, Primal, Crawlspace (2013), Wolf Creek 2, The Rover, and Triangle, although many of these may not be Indicator's genre preference.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by DaylightsEnd

I'd also instantly peel for uhd releases of Turkey Shoot, Fair Game, Rogue, Black Water, Dying Breed, Storm Warning, Long Weekend (2008 remake), The Horseman, and Triangle, although many of these may not be Indicator's genre preference.

Turkey Shoot is for sure coming eventually. It was teased in an Indicator email, and the Indicator insider also confirmed it too late last year:

Originally Posted by Indicator

We're specifically going down the turn-of-the-Eighties Ozploitation route for now - it's a fascinating area of cinema that we're greatly enjoying delving into in depth.

And we're happy to confirm Turkey Shoot as an upcoming title.

[DaylightsEnd]

I hope they push well into and then past the excellent '70s/80s catalog with a decent handful of 4k releases, and keep going into the 2000s as well. Indicator is great at pulling out a whole cache of under-appreciated gems and giving them front-and-center attention.