The Curse Of The Crimson Altar (Tigon Collection) (88 Films)

[cooey]

Release date: August, TBC
Pre-order: Amazon.co.uk - HMV - 88 Films

When Robert Manning goes in search of his missing brother, his trail leads him to a remote country house owned by the mysterious Morley. There, he finds himself dragged into a nightmarish plot of witchcraft, black magic, and murder.

Directed by Vernon Sewell (Blood Beast Terror) and starring horror royalty, Barbara Steele, Christopher Lee, and Boris Karloff, Curse of the Crimson Altar is another wickedly creepy tale from the house of Tigon. Visually arresting and tense and it’s not only a satisfying slice of Technicolor gothic, it’s also a fan-favourite and cult classic.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation in original 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
- Original English Mono
- Optional English SDH
- Audio commentary by Film Critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
- On the Cutting Room Floor - Howard Lanning on Editing Tigon Films
- The Altar of Sacrifice - Sean Hogan on H.P. Lovecraft & Curse of the Crimson Altar
- Creating the Curse of the Crimson Altar - Making Of
- Original Trailer
- Crimson Cult Trailer
- Stills Gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore & original US “The Crimson Cult” poster

Thanks to BarnDoor for the spot

[formula_nebula]

Nice! Must grab this

[tangerinewolf]

This should really look great, coming from 88 Films.

[MifuneFan]

I'm a little surprised they're not doing a 4K release too. Perhaps they're just unable to with what's available. I imagine it would sell comparably (if not better) to The Blood on Satan's Claw.

[BarnDoor]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm a little surprised they're not doing a 4K release too. Perhaps they're just unable to with what's available. I imagine it would sell comparably (if not better) to The Blood on Satan's Claw.

Think you might be overestimating the appeal of this one. Blood on Satan's Claw is generally regarded as one of the finest British horror films ever made, and a key folk horror film (a sub-genre which has seen a strong revival in recent years). Other than the presence of three horror icons (I could even throw Gough into the mix), I don't think Crimson Altar has much going for it. It's not especially well-known and not particularly esteemed; I find it very mediocre to be honest (the climax is terrible). I'd be absolutely stunned if this title shifted more units than Blood on Satan's Claw, especially on these shores.

In practical terms, I think it's very likely 88 will be using the existing HD masters for this and The Sorcerers (both had prior Blu-ray releases from Odeon/Screenbound). Blood on Satan's Claw at least had already been scanned in 4K, though 88 might have done a fresh scan, I don't know.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by BarnDoor

Think you might be overestimating the appeal of this one. Blood on Satan's Claw is generally regarded as one of the finest British horror films ever made, and a key folk horror film (a sub-genre which has seen a strong revival in recent years). Other than the presence of three horror icons (I could even throw Gough into the mix), I don't think Crimson Altar has much going for it. It's not especially well-known and not particularly esteemed; I find it very mediocre to be honest (the climax is terrible). I'd be absolutely stunned if this title shifted more units than Blood on Satan's Claw, especially on these shores.

In practical terms, I think it's very likely 88 will be using the existing HD masters for this and The Sorcerers (both had prior Blu-ray releases from Odeon/Screenbound). Blood on Satan's Claw at least had already been scanned in 4K, though 88 might have done a fresh scan, I don't know.

Forget the movie quality itself, It has Barbara Steele, Christopher Lee, and Boris Karloff. If that can't move titles, I don't know what will

[rip63]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Forget the movie quality itself, It has Barbara Steele, Christopher Lee, and Boris Karloff. If that can't move titles, I don't know what will

The reason to buy it. Especially Steele...

[Vault of Horror]

Who looks rather fetching all painted green!

[MegatronX]

This manages waste to a killer cast (and the bad weather may have exacerbated Karloff's ill health)...

...but it's a novelty to me as Mark Eden (playing the "young" hero) was one of my earliest TV scares!

Alan Bradley run down by Tram - YouTube

[Hammerlover]

As Austin Powers would say, "It's a groovy flick, baby!" Can you imagine him in the scene with Barbara Steele? "Oh, do I make you horny?"

[Number 28]

Originally Posted by Hammerlover

As Austin Powers would say, "It's a groovy flick, baby!" Can you imagine him in the scene with Barbara Steele? "Oh, do I make you horny?"

Yes, I can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec_n2YTdA24

[Number 28]

Originally Posted by tangerinewolf

This should really look great, coming from 88 Films.

I expect it will be a treat to watch.

I am also interested to see what the PQ of 88 Films's Night of the Big Heat will be like, compared to the OEG Classic Movies 2014 release?

[cooey]

Up for pre-order at HMV for £13.59 with the discount

HMV

[cooey]

Now up on 88's store

88 Films

When Robert Manning goes in search of his missing brother, his trail leads him to a remote country house owned by the mysterious Morley. There, he finds himself dragged into a nightmarish plot of witchcraft, black magic, and murder.

Directed by Vernon Sewell (Blood Beast Terror) and starring horror royalty, Barbara Steele, Christopher Lee, and Boris Karloff, Curse of the Crimson Altar is another wickedly creepy tale from the house of Tigon. Visually arresting and tense and it’s not only a satisfying slice of Technicolor gothic, it’s also a fan-favourite and cult classic.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation in original 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
- Original English Mono
- Optional English SDH
- Audio commentary by Film Critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
- On the Cutting Room Floor - Howard Lanning on Editing Tigon Films
- The Altar of Sacrifice - Sean Hogan on H.P. Lovecraft & Curse of the Crimson Altar
- Creating the Curse of the Crimson Altar - Making Of
- Original Trailer
- Crimson Cult Trailer
- Stills Gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore & original US “The Crimson Cult” poster

[Hammerlover]

"Fan favourite" may be stretching it a bit, but I like it and will definitely be getting it.

[oddbox83]

Depends on the definition. The cast of Lee, Karloff and Steele will give it more replay value with genre fans than the quality of the film itself.

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

Depends on the definition. The cast of Lee, Karloff and Steele will give it more replay value with genre fans than the quality of the film itself.

And Michael Gough.

[John Earls Umbrella]

Watched my copy tonight and really enjoyed it. There’s just something about these Tigon pictures, even the weaker ones are oddly compelling. Curse is one of them - Lee and Karloff put the film on another level but I actually think the storyline is quite intriguing. Not brilliant but a fun watch for sure.

I also watched the interview with editor Howard Lanning. These old boy interviews are always good value, dishing the dirt on the off screen gossip and when they think the movie’s crap they don’t hold back. Mind you to call George Sanders’ suicide as pathetic was a bit unnecessary.

[Henry R. Kujawa]

This movie has a bad reputation. I mean, everyone who was in it has bad-mouthed it, including Lee and Eden. All I know is, I saw it in theatres TWICE!! First at the top of a triple-bill at a drive in with COUNT YORGA VAMPIRE and HORROR HOUSE (I fell asleep halfway thru the 3rd one). A year later I saw it as the 2nd film on a quadruple bill at the Venus theater in Houston (4 movies for a BUCK!). It was THE OBLONG BOX, THE CRIMSON CULT, HORROR HOUSE (stayed awake that time) and THE CONQUEROR WORM (God help me!!!!!). I've got 3 of these on Blu-Ray now, and CRIMSON is my favorite. (Well, that's personal taste for you.)

I didn't see this again until a few years ago, on Youtube, and after reading bad things about it for years, I had to shake my head, as I enjoyed it ALL over again. I ordered the 2015 Kino Lorber BR just before finding out it has the 1980s Kendall Schmidt synth score... and immediately ordered the 2014 OEG Media region-free BR. MUCH better. Ironically, the Kino disc has a far-better copy of the UK trailer... but I can't reccomend anyone buying the disc just for that.

On doing research, I learned this was (LOOSELY!!) based on a Lovecraft short story, making it my first exposure to anything derived from his work. The movie is mostly an amateur detective mystery, and I love how Christopher Lee and Boris Karloff both play against type. Karloff makes you think he's the baddie, and you'd never guess Lee actually IS. In fact, the way he deflects Eden's questions is a lot smarter than how 98% of COLUMBO murderers act. ("I'm afraid I can't help you there.")

I see the "Creating" documentary from the 2014 disc is also on the new one. The David Del Valle / Barbara Steele commentary was on both the 2014 & 2015 discs (each with a different music score-- HEH) but not on the new disc. The "British Legends" Chris Lee bio was also on both the 2014 & 2015 discs. The 2015 disc has an interview with synth composer Kendall Schmidt.

Blu-Ray.com's review of the 2024 disc indicates it LOOKS way better than the 2015 Kino Lorber one. (No mention of the 2014. I just watched both, and couldn't really notice any difference on my 28" set.)

What can I say? I've always liked this movie. Not a "great" film, but, to me, a "fun" one.