Willard (1971) / Ben (1972)

[Dex Robinson]

I was losing faith in Scream but this is a huge announcement. I didn't see it coming and I'd long ago given up on seeing these two on BD. For that matter, these two movies are so rarely seen that I thought they must have fallen into some legal limbo.

So to log in and see this announcement is a stunner.

Good work Scream. My faith has been restored.

[HonestJohn]

Originally Posted by OneWayFilms

Willard & Ben would make an EXCELLENT Double Feature.

Absolutely, really hoping for a two-fer. "Tear'em up!!!" Favorite line from the movie. Bruce Davison was just a young pup in this one which was just his fifth film and only Sondra Locke's third. No, didn't know that off hand, just refreshed my memory at imdb. I also didn't remember The Bride of Frankenstein, aka Elsa Lanchester was in this one as well and Ernest Borgnine appears as Willard's Boss. Think I first saw this at the Drive-in with the family. Luckily my Mother was a big horror, sci-fi fan. Definitely picking this up even if it's just for the nostalgia factor.

[Jakdonark]

Originally Posted by OneWayFilms

Willard & Ben would make an EXCELLENT Double Feature.

Willard & Ben's EXCELLENT Adventure Double Feature.

Fixed.

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by Oscar Rothman

https://twitter.com/ShoutFactory/sta...97093092184064

***HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT OF 13 UPCOMING TITLES!***

We just revealed the following upcoming Scream Factory blu-ray releases at our Comic Con panel this evening. Here's the exciting line-up:

1. BUBBA HO-TEP (2002) (Collector’s Edition) – Stars Bruce Campbell and directed by Don Coscarelli.

2 WILLARD (1971) – The rare 70s rat-revenge film is (finally) coming to DVD & Blu-ray!

3. BEN (1972) – The sequel to Willard.

4. BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974) (Collector’s Edition) – The original slasher classic!

5. POLTERGEIST II (1986) (Collector’s Edition)– “They’re Back!”

6. POLTERGEIST III (1988) (Collector’s Edition) – “They’ve Found Her!”

7. DREAMSCAPE (1984) (Collector’s Edition) – The fantasy cult classic starring Dennis Quaid and Kate Capshaw.

8. RABID (1977) (Collector’s Edition) – The early Cronenberg classic!

9. DEAD RINGERS (1988) (Collector’s Editon) – Another Cronenberg favorite. Stars Jeremy Irons.

10 & 11. SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE II (1987) & III (1990) double feature. – You asked for it (a lot) so make sure to buy it!

12. THE HOUSE THAT SCREAMED (1970- Rare AIP early “slasher” film!

13. DEAD OF WINTER (1987) – Chilling thriller starring Mary Steenburgen and the late great Roddy McDowell.

We have no other details to report on this time. Expect though that some of these will be begin releasing in November.
We hope you are as excited as we are about these. Which ones are you looking forward to this most???

Im in for a lot of these, but super happy about Dreamscape, Dead Of Winter and the Slumber Party 2 pack (can dump my DVDs now)!

[hasslein]

In for Willard & Ben. Once I saw those I was surprised Reincarnation of Peter Proud wasn't in there.

[Worship.my.wreck]

I've only only seen the remake of Willard, which I really like and would like to see released. But I might just blind by Willard and Ben.

[Wireduck1]

Love Willard: Crispin is great in this movie, plus it has a rare dramatic performance from Kimberley Patton who is much better known under another name in another, er..'genre' of movie altogether. She was always a great and charismatic actress who should have had a bigger impact crossing over to mainstream.
Definetly a fun movie.

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by Wireduck1

Love Willard: Crispin is great in this movie, plus it has a rare dramatic performance from Kimberley Patton who is much better known under another name in another, er..'genre' of movie altogether. She was always a great and charismatic actress who should have had a bigger impact crossing over to mainstream.
Definetly a fun movie.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Willard is the rare case where the remake of a horror film is far better than the original. I'd love an R-rated director's cut of the remake, as the film was cut for a PG-13 by the studio, removing any gore. Very underrated horror film.

[schlock]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Willard is the rare case where the remake of a horror film is far better than the original. I'd love an R-rated director's cut of the remake, as the film was cut for a PG-13 by the studio, removing any gore. Very underrated horror film.

Disagree. I do like the WILLARD remake and would love to see it hit Blu, but I still prefer the original. It still holds up perfectly today and has a terrific cast, and no CGI rats. Elsa Lanchester ringing that bell and screaming "Will-lllard!" is simply priceless. Borgnine as the mean boss, Locke as the pretty girlfriend, and Davison is perfect as Willard, overall normal but just slightly off, whereas Glover just plays his wacky self like usual in the remake.

The sequel, Ben, was never very good and was a big step down after the first film. But it's way more known today because of Jackson's Oscar-nominated song. I looked it up to see what song it lost to that year and it was "The Morning After" from The Poseidon Adventure. "Ben" did win the Golden Globe for song, though.

Can't wait to ditch my boots on these two.

[OneWayFilms]

Originally Posted by Wireduck1

Love Willard: Crispin is great in this movie, plus it has a rare dramatic performance from Kimberley Patton who is much better known under another name in another, er..'genre' of movie altogether. She was always a great and charismatic actress who should have had a bigger impact crossing over to mainstream.
Definetly a fun movie.

This is NOT the movie with Crispin. THAT version was a remake of an original classic film released in 1971 that also spun a sequel BEN in 1972.

I hope people don't order this THINKING they are getting the remake with Crispin.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by OneWayFilms

This is NOT the movie with Crispin. THAT version was a remake of an original classic film released in 1971 that also spun a sequel BEN in 1972.

I hope people don't order this THINKING they are getting the remake with Crispin.

I think everybody here knows that. And I'm not sure any film which is old is necessarily "classic"

[Movieman66]

Willard is a great film and has always been one of my favorite horror films.

Ben is a decent film that pales in comparison to Willard because they tried to make the film more "family friendly" by having Ben befriend a sick boy, in which the combination of sentimental scenes in the film followed by violent scenes don't actually mix well together.

Anyways, I'm still in for the two films regardless.

[ddwall]

I am in for BUBBA HO-TEP and Willard for sure

[CyberpunkCentral]

Damn. I've been waiting for Willard and Ben to get a proper release for almost 14 years now. Never thought this day would come.

[starman15317]

I've never seen these, but it's a miracle that they're finally being released. Definitely will have to check them out.

[chas speed]

"Ben" is a freaking riot. There something about that kid running to the piano to compose a song about a rat that he has only seen for a few seconds that just killed me. He also shows Ben newspaper clippings from the paper with headlines that say "Rats!, Rat's!, Rats!". "The House that Screamed" is great film that inspired "Suspiria" and it is beautifully shot.

[ParamountChris]

Who owns Willard nowadays?

[cuzzin]

The scene with the cat makes the remake worth the price of admission.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cVFF7y4XcwQ

[OneWayFilms]

Originally Posted by cuzzin

The scene with the cat makes the remake worth the price of admission.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cVFF7y4XcwQ

I hope you know the clip you shared is from the REMAKE and NOT the original that is being released here.