The Crimson Cult (Boris Karloff) blu-ray via Kino

[Slob]

Originally Posted by #Darren

What are people's feelings about the Kino not having the original score, but rather a 1980's replacement score?

Seems like a no brainer to get the UK edition for the original score.

And then Kino gives us the special feature - Interview with Composer Kendall Schmidt.

Is this the composer of the 80's track or the original track? Seems pretty bizarre if he is the composer of the original track....

The original score is no longer available on U.S. prints. Kino licensed from MGM and that's all MGM has.
For a U.S. release with original score, a UK/European print would have to be licensed from whoever owns the film in Europe.
The best known case of AIP replacement scores is Witchfinder General/Conqueror Worm. MGM owns the US. version with replaced music for VHS and cable distribution. The original score was intact on broadcast syndication. MGM licensed the European version for DVD release in U.S. Later MGM sub-licensed it to Shout for BD release. Problems with this license led to that Vincent Price Collection being discontinued.

[Wes Blu-ray]

Originally Posted by babybreese

The lion roars before the Odeon BD presentation of the film begins

Wrong. At least not on my copy (bought directly from the label) which I’ve just watched this evening.

[Shawn1968]

Originally Posted by FlyBry

From Kino's Facebook page: "We have a beautiful HD master of the uncensored version of the film, compiled all the bonus content from the recent UK Blu-ray release, and will be adding one or two new extras of our own. Unfortunately, we've been unsuccessful at clearing the rights to Peter Knight's original score. Therefore, if and when we reschedule the release, it will be accompanied by Kendall Schmidt's 1980s-era score. While we recognize this subtly changes the tone of Vernon Sewell's film, we hope that it will not diminish your interest in owning a copy. We have two choices, release the Blu-ray with the Schmidt score or cancel the release."

I received the Kino disc the other day and watched it without seeing this post. It was immediately apparent to me that something seemed ‘off’ with the music (far too modern-sounding) and came here to find out why.

I completely understand why Kino went this route but it’s really a shame that their hand was forced - for me the music was taking me out of the picture. I’m a life-long musician so I’m probably more sensitive to most when it comes to audio but thought I’d mention it as I have to disagree with Kino’s statement that it subtly changes the tone of the film; to me it was much more than that.

And shame on me for not reading this thread prior to purchasing. I would have ordered the Odeon instead.

[hagios]

I love the atmosphere of this film, i.e. late at night driving into a spooky looking area and house… can anyone tell me if there are any similar films like this with the atmospheric gothic look like this… especially in this era?