Thirst 4K UHD (1979) (Indicator)

[MifuneFan]

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

Thirst (1979) 4K UHD (also available on Blu-ray)

https://www.powerhousefilms.co.uk/co...t-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 Rod Hardy and producer Antony I Ginnane (2003)
• Thirst: A Contemporary Blend (2022): retrospective interview with Ginnane
• Archival TV interview with actor David Hemmings (1979)
• Archival audio interview with actor Chantal Contouri (1979)
• ‘Not Quite Hollywood’ Interviews (2008): extensive selection of outtakes from Mark Hartley’s acclaimed documentary on Australian cinema, featuring Hardy, Ginnane, cinematographer Vincent Monton, and actor Rod Mullinar
• Appreciation by the academic and Australian cinema specialist Stephen Morgan (2024)
• Isolated score
• Original theatrical trailer
• TV spots
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity material, and behind the scenes
• Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Diane A Rogers, exclusive extracts from producer Antony I Ginnane’s unpublished memoirs, archival interviews with actors Chantal Contouri, David Hemmings and Henry Silva, and film credits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

(Rod Hardy, 1979)
Release date: 17 March 2025
Limited Edition 4K UHD (World premiere)

Chantal Contouri (Snapshot), David Hemmings (Harlequin), and Henry Silva (The Tall T) star in Thirst, a shocking fusion of horror and science fiction from legendary Australian producer Antony I Ginnane (Patrick).

A sinister organisation known as the Brotherhood kidnaps Kate (Contouri), believing her to be the descendant of Countess Báthory, the Hungarian noblewoman who reputedly had vampiric tendencies. A battle of wills ensues as the Brotherhood tries to force the horrified Kate to join their blood-drinking sacrificial cult. Only Dr Fraser (Hemmings) is willing to help her...

Directed by Rod Hardy (Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and with a score by Brian May (Mad Max), Thirst is a classic of Ozploitation cinema.

[cakefactory]

Cool, this is a pretty good flick and the old Severin blu-ray did not look very good.

[Dingus1539]

Very cool announcement, really unusual film, great offbeat take on the vampire genre. Also looks like it could’ve been filmed yesterday - feels very contemporary in it’s cinematography.

[Brian81]

I'll pick these up but my thirst is for more Rollin :-) Impatience :-(

[Indicator]

We've literally just released two more Rollins! And our last Ozploitation films came out a full year before Thirst and Harlequin, so that line was well overdue an update.

There'll be more Rollin, but we've got other strands to keep up with as well.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by Indicator

We've literally just released two more Rollins! And our last Ozploitation films came out a full year before Thirst and Harlequin, so that line was well overdue an update.

There'll be more Rollin, but we've got other strands to keep up with as well.

The Survivor (1981) would be nice in 4K.

[Driver78]

Originally Posted by Indicator

We've literally just released two more Rollins! And our last Ozploitation films came out a full year before Thirst and Harlequin, so that line was well overdue an update.

There'll be more Rollin, but we've got other strands to keep up with as well.

Thanks for picking up THIRST and I, for one, appreciate that Indicator shakes things up a little so as not to inundate the market with too much of one single genre at once, like what's happening with Asian cinema. I figured Thirst was in the pipeline since it's from the same rights holders as previous ozploitation pickups. Very happy with this announcement.

[DR Herbert West]

I'm in for this.

[DaylightsEnd]

I'm stoked for this and can't wait until March. I scooped two copies each of this and Harlequin the moment they posted for preorder on Orbitdvd. The next 8 weeks will continue to be hard time served in anticipation of more Ozploitation in the style and quality of Indicator.

[DaylightsEnd]

Shipped plenty early yesterday from OrbitDVD, along with Harlequin 4k! Sweet! Definitely psyched for this package.

This might be the earliest before street date that Orbit has ever received and shipped out an Indicator release (two, even!). Yes, please! More of that!

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by Brian81

I'll pick these up but my thirst is for more Rollin :-) Impatience :-(

Originally Posted by Indicator

We've literally just released two more Rollins!

There'll be more Rollin, but we've got other strands to keep up with as well.

I love post exchanges like this. The almost-unforeseen lust exuded by rabid, enthusiastic Rollin fans addicted to Indicator's gobstoppingly-great uhd releases is beyond palpable, if not even a tad exasperating for poor Indicator. Hopefully Indicator will be able to liquidate a large percentage of its allocations of the undoubtedly-upcoming Iron Rose, Grapes of Death and Living Dead Girl 4k sets, without breaking a sweat. It's a beautiful thing to be holding the license rights to such desirable properties that fans are so passionate about. Indicator has totally cornered this niche market segment, and owns it heart and soul.

Meanwhile, shifting gears a bit, I watched Cold Eyes of Fear 4k again last night and absolutely loved the presentation (as well as the film itself, of course). Incredible job, Indicator, thank you!!!! I've said it before and sincerely feel it to be true...everything you guys put your capable hands to is uhd gold for collectors. Can't wait to put eyes on Thirst 4k on my oled.

[Driver78]

Thirst en route to me from Orbit. Anticipating this one fiercely. Glad that Indicator created their own scan - I always thought the Severin Blu leaned on the color yellow a bit too strongly.

This film left a very strong impression on my young mind. I stayed up late each time WWOR-TV in NY aired the film during the 80's. The submission themes in the film hit especially strong, something which provided plenty of content for nightmares for me. Still, I loved the film and could never get enough of it. To get it on 4K is the stuff of miracles

[DaylightsEnd]

Wow those are some crisp whites and natural greens and blues. Looks tremendous at first blush. That first screenshot looks like it could be happening outside my window right now.

USPS claims my Orbit shipment is out for delivery later today. Woo hoo! I can't wait to take a peek at the color palette in person on this (tonight if I'm lucky and USPS comes through). Moreso, I really need to re-watch Harlequin, which is in the same shipment from Orbit. It's been so long, I barely remember it. Indicator's new uhd should be the perfect medium for its rediscovery/reappraisal.

[Driver78]

Originally Posted by DaylightsEnd

I'm stoked for this and can't wait until March. I scooped two copies each of this and Harlequin the moment they posted for preorder on Orbitdvd. The next 8 weeks will continue to be hard time served in anticipation of more Ozploitation in the style and quality of Indicator.

I'm not sure if I should blind buy Harlequin. Kinda does not sound like my cup of tea but at the same time it kinda does, it's hard to explain. What would you compare the film to? Thirst, OTOH, is a grail for me. So glad to have it on 4K without the yellow tint.

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by Driver78

I'm not sure if I should blind buy Harlequin. Kinda does not sound like my cup of tea but at the same time it kinda does, it's hard to explain. What would you compare the film to? Thirst, OTOH, is a grail for me. So glad to have it on 4K without the yellow tint.

Harlequin is a drama piece with supernatural/religious/sci fi overtones. A strange, otherworldly figure mystically shows up to assist with the care of a terminally ill child whom is the son of a rising political figure. The interloper and the boy form a bond and both exhibit strange powers. The drama evolves into intrigue and a bit of suspense, a bunch of character conflicts including a dalliance involving the politico's wife and the interloper, and then a somewhat abrupt, bizarre final showdown among certain of the characters. The film smacks a bit of God Told Me To and perhaps The Dead Zone in some ways. It's definitely not straight-ahead horror like Thirst.

I got a chance to glance through Thirst briefly. The yellow tint is indeed gone. The prominent earth-tones rule the film's palette, and it looks very healthy, a true late-70's jam in all its earthy glory. The encode looks tight. Interior sets look great, with carpets, drapes, tile, everything looking fresh and "correct". I did see some color fluctuation damage in just one scene with a jet landing. The balance of what I previewed looked solid, a handsome step up from the blu ray. I'm looking forward to sitting down and watching it properly all the way through.

[Driver78]

My copy froze in a couple spots then skipped ahead. I’ll try the disc in my other player and hope it doesn’t also glitch. I hate the replacement process with a passion

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by Driver78

My copy froze in a couple spots then skipped ahead. I’ll try the disc in my other player and hope it doesn’t also glitch. I hate the replacement process with a passion

Try wiping it with a dry microfiber cloth if you haven't already. Sometimes the smallest smudge from a fingerprint or the tiniest speck of dust can make a 4k skip n jump.

[Indicator]

Final specs for Thirst:

[Dingus1539]

Just received mine, really like these Ozploitation releases from Indicator. Another striking package design, always a nice use of original poster art and well produced booklets. PQ looks fantastic.