Mexico Macabre - Four Sinister Tales from the Alameda Films Vault (1959-1963) May 29

[MifuneFan]

Indicator will be releasing a new box set of four classic Mexican horror films from the Alemeda film vault. Release date is the 29th of May.

Mexico Macabre: Four Sinister Tales from the Alameda Films Vault, 1959-1963 Blu-ray

Synopsis

These four macabre titles from the vaults of one of Mexico’s best-known film companies offer uniquely Mexican takes on the ghosts, witches, and monsters familiar to fans of horror cinema and fiction.

Fernando Méndez’s Black Pit of Dr. M (Misterios de ultratumba) sees a doctor make a pact with his dying colleague in order to learn the secrets of the afterlife. In Chano Urueta’s The Witch’s Mirror (El espejo de la bruja), a murderer is tormented by the ghost of his dead wife, whilst in Urueta’s The Brainiac (El barón del terror), a nobleman executed for necromancy returns in diabolical form to eradicate the lineage of his killers… by sucking out their brains! Finally, in Rafael Baledón’s The Curse of the Crying Woman (La maldición de la Llorona), a young bride visits her aunt’s Gothic mansion, where she finds that she is the descendent of one of Mexican folklore’s most terrifying figures.

With their star-studded casts, beautiful photography, eerie production design, and bone-chilling atmosphere, these films have terrified audiences for decades, and are now available in this strictly limited, individually numbered Blu-ray box set, which includes an array of new extra features – including four new audio commentaries, and rare English-language dub tracks – as well as a set of art cards and a fully illustrated 100-page book.

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES

• High Definition remasters for Black Pit of Dr. M, The Witch’s Mirror, The Brainiac, and The Curse of the Crying Woman

• Original Spanish mono audio

• Optional English mono audio dub tracks for The Witch’s Mirror, The Brainiac and The Curse of the Crying Woman

• Audio commentary with Abraham Castillo Flores, film programmer and curator devoted to the preservation of Mexican Horror cinema on Black Pit of Dr. M (2023)

• Audio commentary with David Wilt, film historian and Mexican cinema specialist, on The Witch’s Mirror (2023)

• Audio commentary and brain nibbling with Keith J Rainville, publisher of From Parts Unknown and screenwriter of Los campeones de la lucha libre on The Brainiac (2023)

• Audio commentary with Morena de Fuego, doctor in film studies and LatAm horror specialist, on The Curse of the Crying Woman (2023)

• Daniel Ripstein on the history of Alameda Films and his grandfather, producer Alfredo Ripstein Jr (2023)

• Author Eduardo de la Vega Alfaro on director Fernando Méndez (2023)

• Author Eduardo de la Vega Alfaro on director Chano Urueta (2023)

• Author Eduardo de la Vega Alfaro on director Rafael Balédon (2023)
• Memories of a Villain (2018): TV UNAM special on actor Carlos López Moctezuma

• Mondo Macabro: ‘Mexican Horror Movies’ (2002): episode of Pete Tombs and Andy Starke’s fondly remembered British television series, providing an overview of Mexican genre cinema from the 1950s to the 1970s

• Original theatrical trailers

• Image galleries: promotional and publicity material

• New and improved English translation subtitles

• Limited Edition exclusive 100-page book with new essays by José Luis Ortega Torres, David Wilt and Abraham Castillo Flores, archival articles, and full film credits

• Limited Edition exclusive art cards

• World premieres on Blu-ray

• Limited edition box set of 6000 for UK/US

https://www.powerhousefilms.co.uk/co...t-1959-1963-le (UK)

[everygrainofsand]

Hey, folks. A heads-up: Amazon have discounted this by 25%, down to £32.25. (Albeit the dispatch window is a bit mental, despite it being in stock, but I'm patient.)

At this price, I'm mighty tempted to pick these up as a blind buy! What did y'all think of this release? Did anyone similarly blind buy this, and - if so - what did you think? I love classic, b&w horror, from US stuff like Val Lewton to British fair like Night of the Demon. But I aint given Mexican horror a go, which is why this release is singing so sweetly to me!

Thank you in advance for your thoughts

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mexico-Macabre-Sinister-Alameda-1959-1963/dp/B0BWNMN8RG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HAQKN1OOXOYW&keywords=mexico+maca bre&qid=1692859145&s=dvd&sprefix=mexico+macabre%2C dvd%2C93&sr=1-1

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by everygrainofsand

Hey, folks. A heads-up: Amazon have discounted this by 25%, down to £32.25. (Albeit the dispatch window is a bit mental, despite it being in stock, but I'm patient.)

At this price, I'm mighty tempted to pick these up as a blind buy! What did y'all think of this release? Did anyone similarly blind buy this, and - if so - what did you think? I love classic, b&w horror, from US stuff like Val Lewton to British fair like Night of the Demon. But I aint given Mexican horror a go, which is why this release is singing so sweetly to me!

Thank you in advance for your thoughts

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mexico-Macabre-Sinister-Alameda-1959-1963/dp/B0BWNMN8RG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HAQKN1OOXOYW&keywords=mexico+maca bre&qid=1692859145&s=dvd&sprefix=mexico+macabre%2C dvd%2C93&sr=1-1

If you like classic black and white horror then this is simply an essential purchase and a no-brainer at that price. I blind bought this and have no regrets.

[everygrainofsand]

Originally Posted by the13thman

If you like classic black and white horror then this is simply an essential purchase and a no-brainer at that price. I blind bought this and have no regrets.

Thanks, mate Your comment has helped me make up my mind: am gonna go for it. If I bottled it, I know I'd have much regret; especially given how lovingly put together that Indicator box looks, what with fresh scans and a neat looking book and all. So again, cheers!

[Broomey]

I'm so tempted by this as well. Are any of you ever put off dabbling in new areas of film because you already buy and collect way too much. The last thing I need is another entire country of films to be I interested in or another label for that matter.

[Kuroneko]

I have these on dvd for many years. I just ordered The bluray set because these movies are so good. I allready watched each a couple of times but these are timeless. If you never seen these movies, I think you are in for a nice surprise. A very safe blind buy. Everything you could expect from 60s Gothic horrors and more.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by everygrainofsand

At this price, I'm mighty tempted to pick these up as a blind buy! What did y'all think of this release? Did anyone similarly blind buy this, and - if so - what did you think? I love classic, b&w horror, from US stuff like Val Lewton to British fair like Night of the Demon. But I aint given Mexican horror a go, which is why this release is singing so sweetly to me!

Thank you in advance for your thoughts

I blind-bought this mainly on the strength of Black Pit of Dr. M, which is a terrific atmospheric film, very Edgar Allan Poe type.

[filmlover22]

all I can say is that I had zero exposure to these films and this set is now one of my favorite sets in my entire collection. Excellent films and excellent supplements... The book is one of Indicator's best, imho. If you are even mildly curious, then I wouldn't hesitate. Just my thoughts.

[Eibon]

Bought this full price on strength of Crying Woman I already owned on dvd ( which I will keep for the alternate commentary) The extras on the new disc are fascinating and what I have seen of the other discs cements my opinion that this is release of the year for me. Worth every Penny even at retail

[Nguss]

Ordered this myself when i saw the price drop!

[WaverBoy]

An excellent set, that needs several followup volumes stat, as there are many more Mexi-horror classics that need rescuing!

[everygrainofsand]

Originally Posted by the13thman

If you like classic black and white horror then this is simply an essential purchase and a no-brainer at that price. I blind bought this and have no regrets.

Originally Posted by Kuroneko

If you never seen these movies, I think you are in for a nice surprise. A very safe blind buy. Everything you could expect from 60s Gothic horrors and more.

Originally Posted by ravenus

I blind-bought this mainly on the strength of Black Pit of Dr. M, which is a terrific atmospheric film, very Edgar Allan Poe type.

Originally Posted by filmlover22

all I can say is that I had zero exposure to these films and this set is now one of my favorite sets in my entire collection. Excellent films and excellent supplements... The book is one of Indicator's best, imho. If you are even mildly curious, then I wouldn't hesitate...

Originally Posted by Eibon

... this is release of the year for me. Worth every Penny even at retail

Originally Posted by WaverBoy

An excellent set, that needs several followup volumes stat, as there are many more Mexi-horror classics that need rescuing!

Guys, I wanted to double-back and echo my thanks. My blind-bought set arrived, and - boy oh boy - Mexico Macabre turned out to be an absolute blinder! I had so much fun with - and was windy entertained by - these movies, which I savoured over four consecutive nights. All were absorbing, to the extent I had to hold myself back from binging 'em all in one or two sittings!

The mixture of horror and fevered melodrama - there's something decidedly operatic in their mode - combined to achieve something distinct; a unique flavour delineating what I now understand to be Mexican horror. It left me wanting more, and I sure hope Indicator is looking to release a second collection - or perhaps even a series?! - of Mexican 'película de terror'. The (fascinating) book that was included leaves no doubt that there are many more titles in those Mexican vaults awaiting us! As a cineaste, I feel I've expanded my palette into something new, distinct and delicious - and that excites me So thanks again!

[Vault of Horror]

Great set, isn't it?
I'd never seen any of the films either but I really enjoyed them all.

[ravenus]

My box was a pre-order, but I had it shipped to a friend abroad and had to wait till he came down to India last week. I opened the box, and slipped in Black Pit...

It is the only film in this set I have previously seen. The original Spanish title of Black Pit is Misterios de Ultratumba, which I believe literally translates as Mysteries from Beyond the Grave. The story takes a cue from EA Poe's stories. When the film begins, a Dr. Aldama in his dying breaths is exhorted by his colleague Dr. Mazali to honor their bargain - Whoever dies first should arrange for the other to cross through the veil of death and return alive. The mechanics of how this is to be achieved is never discussed.

Anyhow, after Aldama passes on, a seance is held in which his spirit passes on the message that at a specified hour, Mazali will get his wish, but it also involves paying a horrible price. Like any passionate scientist in a horror film, Mazali doesn't given a f*** about consequences. In the meanwhile he runs a sanatorium for the insane, and a particularly violent woman is calmed through the use of a music box...until the lid accidentally shuts, after which it's every man for himself - an accident leads to one of his attendants being disfigured with acid. Mazali is also visited by a girl that turns out to be Aldama's daughter and she brings him a literal key to unlock the door to his prophesied fate. The circumstances of the horrible price Mazali must pay to learn the secrets of death aren't particularly shocking, since after a point you can see where the narrative is heading, but I won't spoil them here.

What we have in Black Pit is a nicely done Gothic melodrama, a touch overwrought, but that can also be charming. Rafael Bertrand as Dr. Mazali gives a nicely balanced portrayal of the medical man, who is brilliant and cares for his patients, but is also obsessed with penetrating the veil of mortality. Victor Herrera's cinematography is a highlight of the feature, delivering some wonderful chiaroscuro scenes.

The presentation on the Indicator disc is mostly quite good. Grain is not as fine as on an OCN scan, and there are occasional instances of instability/artifacts in the image. Still, it is mostly pleasing, and the contrast is spot-on allowing us to enjoy the carefully composed mosaic of light and shadow. Sound is limited by the original capture technology, and I had to raise my AVR volume a couple notches above normal. Extras, which I haven't yet checked, include a feature commentary and a couple of featurettes on the studio and the director.

[Orlac]

Originally Posted by ravenus

My box was a pre-order, but I had it shipped to a friend abroad and had to wait till he came down to India last week. I opened the box, and slipped in Black Pit...

It is the only film in this set I have previously seen. The original Spanish title of Black Pit is Misterios de Ultratumba, which I believe literally translates as Mysteries from Beyond the Grave. The story takes a cue from EA Poe's stories. When the film begins, a Dr. Aldama in his dying breaths is exhorted by his colleague Dr. Mazali to honor their bargain - Whoever dies first should arrange for the other to cross through the veil of death and return alive. The mechanics of how this is to be achieved is never discussed.

Anyhow, after Aldama passes on, a seance is held in which his spirit passes on the message that at a specified hour, Mazali will get his wish, but it also involves paying a horrible price. Like any passionate scientist in a horror film, Mazali doesn't given a f*** about consequences. In the meanwhile he runs a sanatorium for the insane, and a particularly violent woman is calmed through the use of a music box...until the lid accidentally shuts, after which it's every man for himself - an accident leads to one of his attendants being disfigured with acid. Mazali is also visited by a girl that turns out to be Aldama's daughter and she brings him a literal key to unlock the door to his prophesied fate. The circumstances of the horrible price Mazali must pay to learn the secrets of death aren't particularly shocking, since after a point you can see where the narrative is heading, but I won't spoil them here.

What we have in Black Pit is a nicely done Gothic melodrama, a touch overwrought, but that can also be charming. Rafael Bertrand as Dr. Mazali gives a nicely balanced portrayal of the medical man, who is brilliant and cares for his patients, but is also obsessed with penetrating the veil of mortality. Victor Herrera's cinematography is a highlight of the feature, delivering some wonderful chiaroscuro scenes.

The presentation on the Indicator disc is mostly quite good. Grain is not as fine as on an OCN scan, and there are occasional instances of instability/artifacts in the image. Still, it is mostly pleasing, and the contrast is spot-on allowing us to enjoy the carefully composed mosaic of light and shadow. Sound is limited by the original capture technology, and I had to raise my AVR volume a couple notches above normal. Extras, which I haven't yet checked, include a feature commentary and a couple of featurettes on the studio and the director.

Looks like Lon Chaney on the poster

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Orlac

Looks like Lon Chaney on the poster

The poster looks like it was put together by someone that only saw a trailer of the film once and had to make a painting out of the impressions of that trailer. The only character who looks remotely like that is the acid-disfigured attendant, but in the film one of his eyes is damaged and fused shut after the incident.

It's still a little better than the US poster which features a bikini wearing girl nowhere in the film.

[Indicator]

Originally Posted by everygrainofsand

It left me wanting more, and I sure hope Indicator is looking to release a second collection - or perhaps even a series?! - of Mexican 'película de terror'.

We are very happy to confirm that there will be more Mexican genre releases (plural) in 2024. The success of our inaugural titles and the speed at which the limited editions sold out was way ahead of expectations, and the overwhelmingly positive reactions confirm that there's a very enthusiastic audience out there, so we'd frankly be foolish not to carry on catering for it.

[everygrainofsand]

Originally Posted by Indicator

We are very happy to confirm that there will be more Mexican genre releases (plural) in 2024. The success of our inaugural titles and the speed at which the limited editions sold out was way ahead of expectations, and the overwhelmingly positive reactions confirm that there's a very enthusiastic audience out there, so we'd frankly be foolish not to carry on catering for it.

Thanks for the response, with such terrific news. The release of further titles is a tantalising prospect. A whole new cinematic nook - hitherto unexplored - has opened up to me, and I'm pleased to be able to continue exploring it lockstep with your label. Indicator did such a swell job with that first volume, and I'm glad it's been a success for you! Keep this delectable product coming, and we'll keep gobbling it up

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Indicator

We are very happy to confirm that there will be more Mexican genre releases (plural) in 2024. The success of our inaugural titles and the speed at which the limited editions sold out was way ahead of expectations, and the overwhelmingly positive reactions confirm that there's a very enthusiastic audience out there, so we'd frankly be foolish not to carry on catering for it.

Noice! Hopefully Carlos Taboada's Book of Stone can make it to some future compilation.

[Sleazeaddict]

Ok time to order this bad boy

funny we can order the US set on the uk website