Fear No Evil (1969) / Ritual Of Evil (1970) coming from Kino Lorber

[T.H.E. Cat]

Coming from Kino Lorber on October 20th

FEAR NO EVIL (1969) | RITUAL OF EVIL (1970) – Double Feature
• Brand New 2K Masters
• Audio Commentaries by Film Historian/Screenwriter Gary Gerani
• FEAR NO EVIL Image Gallery
• FEAR NO EVIL | RITUAL OF EVIL – Television Trailers
• Newly Commissioned Art by Vince Evans
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
• Optional English Subtitles

C 98 Min 1.37:1 NR C 98 Min 1.37:1 NR
This double-feature special edition includes new 2K restorations of Fear No Evil (1969) and its sequel Ritual of Evil (1970), both starring Louis Jourdan (Gigi, Octopussy). Fear No Evil – Dr. David Sorell (Jourdan), a psychiatrist specializing in the occult, becomes involved in the case of a man possessed by a spirit in an antique mirror. The man’s fiancée discovers that the mirror is able to bring back her former boyfriend, who had been killed in a car accident, from the dead. Co-starring Lynda Day George (Day of the Animals), Carroll O’Connor (All in the Family), Bradford Dillman (Chosen Survivors), Wilfrid Hyde-White (My Fair Lady), Marsha Hunt (Raw Deal) and directed by Paul Wendkos (The Mephisto Waltz). Ritual of Evil – Dr. David Sorell (Jourdan) investigates the death of one of his patients, a young heiress, and uncovers a cult of wealthy people who practice black magic, witchcraft and devil worship. Hyde-White returns as Harry Snowden, one of David’s associates. Co-starring Anne Baxter (All About Eve), Diana Hyland (Jigsaw), John McMartin (Sweet Charity), Belinda Montgomery (The Other Side of the Mountain) and directed by Robert Day (Tarzan the Magnificent).

KINO LORBER ORDER PAGE FOR FEAR NO EVIL / RITUAL OF EVIL

[Richard--W]

A double-feature! Who would have thought. I can't believe I'm finally going to see these
telefilms in perfect image quality.

[T.H.E. Cat]

Here is an excellent article on Fear No Evil (1969), written by Richard A. Ekstedt for Films In Review, that I highly recommend for those who have seen this made for television supernatural thriller. For those who have not experienced Fear No Evil, please be forewarned: here be spoilers!

Fear No Evil: An Observance by Richard A. Ekstedt

[Richard--W]

Thanks for linking us to the essay.

[T.H.E. Cat]

Speaking of Richard A. Ekstedt, he has a YouTube channel and has uploaded one of the television trailers for Fear No Evil (1969). But since the quality is so poor, I'm going to link to the higher quality FNE trailer that's on the Kino Lorber Facebook page --

https://www.facebook.com/KinoLorberS...7642443590489/

[T.H.E. Cat]

In order to be perfectly complete, here is the television trailer for Ritual Of Evil (1970), courtesy of the Kino Lorber Facebook page --

https://www.facebook.com/KinoLorberS...2226714972615/

[Richard--W]

I hope Kino Lorber will release more made-for-tv films of this vintage on blu-ray.

There were so many good ones.

[Luisj40]

The artwork doesn't quite feel right but no matter I love these two TV Movies glad I could now dump the shoddy bootlegs I have. Here's hoping more 70's TV movies are on their way!

[Richard--W]

These two films are obscure and forgotten. That KL is releasing them at all -- and in 2K
scans instead of DVD quality only -- is a minor miracle. I'm glad to get them no matter
what the cover art. The covers are good enough to sell the product, I guess. My interest
is in the contents.

[T.H.E. Cat]

I finally received my October Kino Lorber blu-ray order this afternoon and one of the selections was the KL double-feature disc Fear No Evil / Ritual Of Evil. Needless to say, tonight's entertainment at my domicile is most assured! I'll probably be staying up rather late on this Friday evening because not only will I be watching both of these supernatural thrillers, I'll be re-watching them while listening to the Gary Gerani commentary tracks. Be seeing you!

[T.H.E. Cat]

Overall I'm very pleased with the transfers of Fear No Evil and Ritual Of Evil on this Kino Lorber blu-ray. Unfortunately there is a missing bit of audio at 00:53:24 during the sequence when David Sorell is in the audio tape archive room of the Metaphysical Research Center. While Sorell searches for something related to Paul Varney, a reel to reel tape recorder is playing a lecture in this same archive room. When the camera zooms in on a tape reel box with 'Varney, P. 10-8' * written on it, at the end of the zoom we hear the lecturer on the reel to reel recording state "... that the man known as Moses." Except on this blu-ray transfer, the lecturer only begins to say Moses ("Mo-") before he is suddenly cut off as the shot switches back -- half a second too soon -- to an over the shoulder shot of Sorell retrieving this particular tape box. Blast!

The only 'glitch' (so to speak) in the audio on Ritual Of Evil is a very minor error on Gary Gerani's commentary track: Gary states that Dr. Sorell has draped his leather coat on the couch when the repeated shot he is referring to still clearly shows that his coat is actually draped over

[Show spoiler]the poor dead body of Canoot, the German shepherd dog.

Both of Gary Gerani's audio commentary tracks on this KL disc are superb and I highly recommend them. I'm really looking forward to Gary's commentary on the upcoming Kino Lorber blu-ray release of Dark Intruder (1965). Be seeing you!


* This date should actually read September the 8th -- however, it is stated within the film that this particular date fell on a Thursday when Sept. 8, 1968 actually fell on a Sunday.

[PowellPressburger]

Really great TVM double feature

Highly recommended especially for Ritual of Evil which was my favorite.

Great scores on both from Billy Goldenberg (Duel) created as William Goldenberg.

[T.H.E. Cat]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Really great TVM double feature ...
Great scores on both from Billy Goldenberg (Duel) created as William Goldenberg.

In my humble opinion, words cannot describe how superb William Goldenberg's music score is for Fear No Evil. Goldenberg's score lifts this already excellent supernatural thriller way up into the stratosphere of the sublime. It is also deliciously creepy whenever it needs to be throughout the film.

[Katatonia]

I watched the disc last night, having never seen these two before now. I was quite entertained by both films though, and they even seemed a little risque at times by the TV standards of the era. This probably would have made a great TV series featuring the David Sorell character if given the chance.

The transfers both looked quite good for 50+ year old TV films. Nice grain/detail and no apparent signs of DNR, etc. The lossless mono tracks get the job done and dialogue was clear. I did notice the "Moses" audio glitch on the first film (perhaps because I had the subtitles on) — but it's very brief and most first-time viewers probably won't even notice it.

I have yet to listen to the two Gary Gerani commentary tracks...

Hopefully Kino decides to release more obscure TV Horror from decades past in the future.

[Richard--W]

Kino Lorber surpassed themselves on FEAR NO EVIL + RITUAL OF EVIL. These are both
outstanding telefilms, well-made and well produced, and outstanding transfers. I never thought
in a million years I'd see either film looking so perfect. The blu-ray exceeds my moderate
expectations.The first film in particular is helped by Paul Wendkos' imaginative and inventive
direction. His lensmanship and camerawork were ahead of their time. The disc gets a second
watch tomorrow. The commentaries I'll save for later. I hope this release will bring about a
re-evaluation of both films. The double-feature disc is exactly the right way to present them.
Let's hope Kino Lorber continues to mine the field of telefilms with double-feature discs like
this. It's a bargain buy even when it's not on sale.

As an aside, FEAR NO EVIL shares the same locations and sets as another telefilm THE
NORLISS TAPES (1974).

Don't hesitate to Buy It Now. You won't be disappointed.

[T.H.E. Cat]

Originally Posted by Katatonia

I have yet to listen to the two Gary Gerani commentary tracks...

Originally Posted by Richard--W

The commentaries I'll save for later.

I sure hope both of you can find the time to watch Fear No Evil and Ritual Of Evil while listening to Gary Gerani's respective commentary tracks for they are both superb. Gary reads some notations made by one of the actors from their original script, explains why Richard Alan Simmons was not a part of Ritual Of Evil and why NBC eventually turned down the proposed "Bedeviled" television series based on these films ... and many, many other fascinating tidbits of information. Great stuff!

[Richard--W]

Originally Posted by T.H.E. Cat

I sure hope both of you can find the time to watch Fear No Evil and Ritual Of Evil while listening to Gary Gerani's respective commentary tracks for they are both superb. Gary reads some notations made by one of the actors from their original script, explains why Richard Alan Simmons was not a part of Ritual Of Evil and why NBC eventually turned down the proposed "Bedeviled" television series based on these films ... and many, many other fascinating tidbits of information. Great stuff!

You talked me into it.

[HuggyBear73]

For those who haven't picked up Kino's... GHOST OF SIERRA DE COBRE...from last year... it's one of the best ghost stories ever made IMO.

Another made-for-TV horror. Blows these 2 films out of the water.

Still VERY happy to see this double feature on the blu tho.

[Katatonia]

Originally Posted by T.H.E. Cat

I sure hope both of you can find the time to watch Fear No Evil and Ritual Of Evil while listening to Gary Gerani's respective commentary tracks for they are both superb. Gary reads some notations made by one of the actors from their original script, explains why Richard Alan Simmons was not a part of Ritual Of Evil and why NBC eventually turned down the proposed "Bedeviled" television series based on these films ... and many, many other fascinating tidbits of information. Great stuff!

Will do, the info regarding the proposed TV series sounds worth it alone!

[jimqk]

After reading the enthusiastic comments about this double feature, I just blind bought it as part of a huge order from Kino.

Originally Posted by HuggyBear73

For those who haven't picked up Kino's... GHOST OF SIERRA DE COBRE...from last year... it's one of the best ghost stories ever made IMO.

Blind bought this one, too.