Messiah of Evil (1973) coming from Radiance

[Akijama]

We are delighted to announce our most ambitious project yet, exactly 50 years from the original release date of May 2nd 1973, a new restoration of the horror classic Messiah of Evil. From a new 4K scan of the best-surviving elements of the film from the Academy Film Archive. This world premiere restoration will be accompanied by new and archival extras, presented in rigid box packaging newly designed by Time Tomorrow with reversible sleeve and an 80-page book.

Released in the UK, US and Canada, our website is now offering a 10% off early bird pre-order. See the full packaging images and details on our site now.

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

New 2023 restoration from a 4K scan of the best-surviving elements of the film from the Academy Film Archive
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Audio commentary by critics and horror experts Kim Newman and Stephen Thrower
Archival interview with co-writer-director Willard Huyck by Mike White from the Projection Booth Podcast
A new documentary on the film with more information to be revealed
Visual essay on the American Gothic by critic Kat Ellinger
Trailer
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition 80-page booklet featuring new and archival writing
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in rigid box and full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
More to be confirmed!

[RevolverOcelScott]

Day One.

[themp3000]

This is the most exciting release of the year. Without question.

I wasn’t expecting a UHD because of the elements situation, but this will be more than great.

[CountYorgaRules]

Absolutely fantastic news!

[bergman864]

This is big. This is outstanding news.

[RevolverOcelScott]

I asked on Twitter, and it'll pop on US retailers soon. Cannot wait.

Edit:

Up for pre-order on DiabolikDVD
29.99

[PowellPressburger]

I woke up early morning to a Radiance e-mail and of course all I kept reading was 4K transfer and only now hours later it hit me, this is just a BLU of a 4K transfer.

I was never fooled by the 4K transfer on BLU before but I felt like such a huge deal was made about the announcement that won’t be out till end of OCT, my mind thought it had to be a reason for celebration = 4K UHD

Looks like we will be looking at a very long wait for a 4K UHD … I’d guess years if it ever happens.

[guccipunkstar]

The code red disc could definitely be improved upon, plus i’m always glad to get subtitles. It should look a lot better even though it’s only a blu ray

[defile959]

This was unexpected, and an immediate preorder! Here's hoping Radiance has more horror in store soon.

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Looks like we will be looking at a very long wait for a 4K UHD … I’d guess years if it ever happens.

Not everything needs a 4K UHD. This is going to be a significant upgrade in every regard over the Code Red disc. There’s plenty of cause for celebration here. And this is a 4K scan of the best surviving elements. This is going to be as good as it will ever look or get. The definitive package.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by themp3000

Not everything needs a 4K UHD. This is going to be a significant upgrade in every regard over the Code Red disc. There’s plenty of cause for celebration here. And this is a 4K scan of the best surviving elements. This is going to be as good as it will ever look or get. The definitive package.

If possible, everything needs a 4K UHD if the elements are availible. I just don't think Radiance is stepping into that realm yet.

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

If possible, everything needs a 4K UHD if the elements are availible. I just don't think Radiance is stepping into that realm yet.

If that’s the case then I guess I need to start complaining in the future to Kino about their lack of UHDs for 4K scans.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by themp3000

Not everything needs a 4K UHD. This is going to be a significant upgrade in every regard over the Code Red disc. There’s plenty of cause for celebration here. And this is a 4K scan of the best surviving elements. This is going to be as good as it will ever look or get. The definitive package.

Until they release the same scan on 4K anyway.

It's cheap, though. From reading the OP I was figuring this was going to be one of those 60 dollar deals. I'll definitely buy it. This is the best movie Code Red ever released and is one of the best-looking indie horror movies ever.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by themp3000

If that’s the case then I guess I need to start complaining in the future to Kino about their lack of UHDs for 4K scans.

You should!

I never completely pass up on a release if it's not a UHD disc (I pre-ordered MoE the minute DiabolikDVD put it up), but it is a bummer when a movie (not just this one) gets a nice 4K scan, to then put it on Blu-ray. It makes me feel like I'm going to be double dipping in the near future.

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Until they release the same scan on 4K anyway.

It's cheap, though. From reading the OP I was figuring this was going to be one of those 60 dollar deals. I'll definitely buy it. This is the best movie Code Red ever released and is one of the best-looking indie horror movies ever.

Yep, at 35 bucks shipped for a deluxe edition of a movie I love, sold!

[Member-222782]

The price is right for such a lavish set. I don't know if it's the least expensive "rigid box" edition I've ever purchased but I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe because it's just a Blu-ray and not a 4K? This will be my first Radiance purchase, BTW.

[Katatonia]

Hell yeah, already went ahead and pre-ordered it!

Great news that it's getting such a lavish release. The old Code Red Blu-ray was good for its time, but it could certainly be improved upon in numerous ways. After Diabolik released the "Slipcover" for that, I feared it wouldn't get a better release for quite some time.

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

It makes me feel like I'm going to be double dipping in the near future.

I’m used to it at this point. BUT as a result, I’m also super selective now in what I buy on BD in general, focusing on UHDs myself. Trying to balance and find that happy middle ground is the name of the game now.

[Surge92]

I think a lot of folks know I hate pre-ordering, but I pulled the trigger almost as soon as I got the e-mail from Radiance. You know this is going to sell out quickly, so I wasn't taking any chances. I'm actually even thinking of ordering a back-up copy from Diabolik when it goes up, just in case.

[PowellPressburger]

I had to go back and check that e-mail I read half asleep this morning that had me ecstatic over a 4K lol

Rad.jpg

I wasn't crazy! Sure it doesn't say blu-ray at all but neither says UHD.. and I didn't pay attention to the logos on the cover art.

This was the first time the 4K transfer fooled me... I'm very much used to it constantly 4k transfer on a blu.... this announcement just came across bold and proclaiming greatness and an earlier pre-order than expected... I figured all this with seeing 4K in the e-mail meant a 4K UHD otherwise yeah it's great news... but a 4K UHD that would have been massive... and would need more than 3,000 Limited copies

I have no doubt this transfer could be better than what we have and now some great bonus features... but ARghhhhh they have the 4K Scan! USE IT!!!

[VanKilman]

I had waited years for a better edition, but last week Brad Henderson from Terror Vision posted "Messiah Of Evil is a very complicated film with the rights and whatnot. Most of the material is missing" and I figured that if that were the case, the Code Red would be the best version for a long while.

I bought it on eBay yesterday.

Whoops.