Indicator (Powerhouse Films) US Discussion Thread

[Indicator]

Mondo Digital is first out of the blocks with an epic 6,250-word review of the Michael J. Murphy box set.

Even in a world where we have massive Blu-ray box sets devoted to filmmakers like Andy Milligan, Ray Dennis Steckler, Norman J. Warren, and William Grefé, it's still a shock to see an encyclopedic collection for Michael J. Murphy. Largely focused on thrillers along with the occasional horror, fantasy, or sci- film over the course of his 30-film feature career that started in his late teens, Murphy is still quite obscure even in cult film circles with most of his work very difficult to find outside of scouring British VHS bins. In 2023, Indicator delivered the most unlikely labor of love in Blu-ray history with a sprawling ten-disc set comprising the 26 surviving Murphy films (mostly under the banner of the company he co-founded Murlyn), and a very comprehensive slate of bonus features shining a light on a fascinating and distinctive voice in homemade genre cinema.

[MifuneFan]

Indicator's first 4K releases! Two Jean Rollin films, The Shiver of the Vampires (1971) and Two Orphan Vampires (1997) are coming out in both NA and the UK in 4K and Blu-ray Limited Edition sets on April 25th.

The Shiver of the Vampires (1971)

https://smile.amazon.com/Shiver-Vamp...25109&sr=1-421

https://www.diabolikdvd.com/product/...-uhd-preorder/

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION 4K UHD SPECIAL FEATURES

• New 4K HDR restoration from the internegative by Powerhouse Films
• 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original French and English mono soundtracks
• Audio commentary with director Jean Rollin (2006)
• Audio commentary with Sylvia Kristel: From Emmanuelle to Chabrol author Jeremy Richey (2023)
• Virginie Sélavy on ‘The Shiver of the Vampire’ (2023): appreciation by the author and film historian
• Rouge Vif (2023): updated documentary on the making of The Shiver of the Vampires by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette
• Introduction by Jean Rollin (1998): filmed appraisal by the director
• Interview with Jean Rollin by Patricia MacCormack (2004): lengthy discussion filmed in Paris
• Deleted scenes: sex sequences filmed for the export market
• Original French, English and German theatrical trailers
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
• New and improved English translation subtitles for the French soundtrack
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by David Hinds, an archival introduction by Jean Rollin, an archival interview with the director by Peter Blumenstock, an archival interview with actor Marie-Pierre Castel, Andy Votel on Acanthus, the mysterious group behind the film’s soundtrack, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits
• World premiere on 4K UHD
• Limited edition of 8,000 numbered units (4,000 4K UHDs and 4,000 Blu-rays) for the UK and US

(Jean Rollin, 1971)
Release date: 25 April 2023
Limited Edition 4K UHD (World premiere)

Jean Rollin’s third feature film, 1971’s The Shiver of the Vampires (Le Frisson des vampires), established themes and visual motifs to which he would return throughout his career, blending horror, eroticism, fairy tale, and surrealism to create his unique cinema of the fantastique.

Arriving at a decrepit chateau for their honeymoon, young newlyweds undergo a series of surreal and sinister encounters, and come to realise that they are the prey of the resident vampires...

With performances from Sandra Julien (I Am Frigid... Why?) and Marie-Pierre Castel (Lips of Blood), ravishing cinematography from Rollin’s regular collaborator Jean-Jacques Renon, and a thrilling jazz-rock score by Acanthus, The Shiver of the Vampires is regarded as one of Rollin’s greatest films.

Two Orphan Vampires (1997)

https://smile.amazon.com/Two-Orphan-...ect=1&sr=1-422


https://www.diabolikdvd.com/product/...-uhd-preorder/

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION 4K UHD SPECIAL FEATURES

• New 4K HDR restoration from the original negative by Powerhouse Films
• 4K (2160p) UHD presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original French and English mono soundtracks
• Audio commentary with critics and authors David Flint and Adrian J Smith (2023)
• Memories of a Blue World (2023): updated documentary on the making of Two Orphan Vampires by Rollin’s personal assistant, Daniel Gouyette, featuring interviews with actor Isabelle Teboul, assistant director Jean-Noël Delamarre, composer Philippe D’Aram, and others
• Jean Rollin on ‘Two Orphan Vampires’ (2002): extensive, newly edited archival interview with the filmmaker exploring the themes of Two Orphan Vampires and his wider oeuvre
• Interview with Alexandra Pic (2002): newly edited archival interview with the actor
• Interview with Isabelle Teboul (2002): newly edited archival interview with the actor
• Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
• New and improved English translation subtitles for the French soundtrack
• New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Limited edition exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Patricia MacCormack, archival introduction by Jean Rollin, archival production report by Peter Blumenstock, archival interview with Brigitte Lahaie, an extract from Rollin’s source novel, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits
• World premiere on 4K UHD
• Limited edition of 8,000 numbered units (4,000 4K UHDs and 4,000 Blu-rays) for the UK and US

(Jean Rollin, 1997)
Release date: 25 April 2023
Limited Edition 4K UHD (World premiere)

Originally released in 1997, Two Orphan Vampires (Les Deux orphelines vampires) finds Jean Rollin, the master of the fantastique, returning to the vampire genre with which he had made his name.

By day, blind orphans Henriette and Louise seem to be the picture of innocence. But when darkness falls, their sight returns, and they wander the streets of Paris, encountering the city’s strange nocturnal denizens, and leaving a trail of corpses in their quest for fresh blood.

Featuring startling performances from novice leads Alexandre Pic and Isabelle Teboul, alongside Tina Aumont (Modesty Blaise) and Rollin regulars Nathalie Perrey (The Shiver of the Vampires) and Brigitte Lahaie (Fascination), Two Orphan Vampires is a beautiful and melancholy summation of Rollin’s unique and arresting style.

[DukeTogo84]

Nice. Was hoping those two would be getting US releases.

[DaveyJoe]

I wish they were dual-format. I usually watch supplements on my PC and I can't do UHD there yet. Still I like Rollin so I'll probably grab them.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

I wish they were dual-format. I usually watch supplements on my PC and I can't do UHD there yet. Still I like Rollin so I'll probably grab them.

I wish they were to as I can't do UHD at the moment as I have not upgraded my PS4 to a PS5 yet.

[Undeadbokun]

If anyone ordered the Michael J. Murphy set from Best Buy, did it actually ship? I placed an order last month with a $55 reward certificate and was just informed that it was delayed. Checking Best Buy now shows that the item is no longer for sale. My email states that if they cannot ship it within 14 days, my order will be cancelled.

[delicreep]

Originally Posted by Undeadbokun

If anyone ordered the Michael J. Murphy set from Best Buy, did it actually ship? I placed an order last month with a $55 reward certificate and was just informed that it was delayed. Checking Best Buy now shows that the item is no longer for sale. My email states that if they cannot ship it within 14 days, my order will be cancelled.

Amazon only has it available as an import currently; the US listing is 'temporarily out of stock'. DeepDiscount has it on backorder.

Diabolik still has the set for preorder. Direct orders are still available from Powerhouse/Indicator.

Looks like some US retailers have had trouble getting copies.

(Update: Amazon.ca is also showing 'out of stock'.)

[Undeadbokun]

That was what I was thinking might be the case. I just hope Best Buy gets it in before canceling my order.

[delicreep]

Originally Posted by Undeadbokun

That was what I was thinking might be the case. I just hope Best Buy gets it in before canceling my order.

Ordering direct is currently about 4 bucks cheaper than the Amazon import listing. What was Best Buy offering?

[Undeadbokun]

Originally Posted by delicreep

Ordering direct is currently about 4 bucks cheaper than the Amazon import listing. What was Best Buy offering?

Not a great deal; it was $98.99. I only went with them as I had $55 in reward certificates expiring. Not sure how that will be handled should they end up cancelling the order.

[GasmaskAvenger]

Originally Posted by Undeadbokun

If anyone ordered the Michael J. Murphy set from Best Buy, did it actually ship? I placed an order last month with a $55 reward certificate and was just informed that it was delayed. Checking Best Buy now shows that the item is no longer for sale. My email states that if they cannot ship it within 14 days, my order will be cancelled.

last I heard from DiabolikDVD, the stock is still stuck in the UK due to the Royal Mail ransomware incident.

I won't be surprised if they show up alongside the oft-delayed Santo set on its actual release date.

[Undeadbokun]

Thanks for the replies everyone, just got a "ready to ship" email from Best Buy for the Michael J Murphy set. Not being familiar with his work, I had put off preordering for a bit. Ended up biting because regardless of the actual quality of the films, the set looks to be extremely well done. Having $55 in expiring reward certificates didn't hurt either. Gonna be interesting to check this set out, I'm sure.

[Mindfather]

Originally Posted by GasmaskAvenger

last I heard from DiabolikDVD, the stock is still stuck in the UK due to the Royal Mail ransomware incident.

I won't be surprised if they show up alongside the oft-delayed Santo set on its actual release date.

Just ordered the boxset last night off blowitoutahere on ebay and they usually only list things after they have them, so they should be arriving stateside right meow.

[delicreep]

Originally Posted by Undeadbokun

Thanks for the replies everyone, just got a "ready to ship" email from Best Buy for the Michael J Murphy set. Not being familiar with his work, I had put off preordering for a bit. Ended up biting because regardless of the actual quality of the films, the set looks to be extremely well done. Having $55 in expiring reward certificates didn't hurt either. Gonna be interesting to check this set out, I'm sure.

So you've never watched anything from Murphy before? That's quite a blind buy! If you have no problem with shaky acting and cheap-o production values, you'll be fine. I agree, the set looks to be very well done. Likely, as definitive as anyone will ever get for Murphy's films.

Come to think of it, I've only seen two of his films, so the set is largely a leap of faith (or, at least, curiosity) for me!

[Undeadbokun]

Originally Posted by delicreep

So you've never watched anything from Murphy before? That's quite a blind buy! If you have no problem with shaky acting and cheap-o production values, you'll be fine. I agree, the set looks to be very well done. Likely, as definitive as anyone will ever get for Murphy's films.

Come to think of it, I've only seen two of his films, so the set is largely a leap of faith (or, at least, curiosity) for me!

I generally enjoy "bad" films so long as there is something there. What that something is, I can't pinpoint. For example, I have found Andy Milligan's work to be a joy whereas I couldn't sit through the Al Adamson stuff I attempted to watch. There is no real rhyme or reason which makes using reviews to help decide on a purchase a bit tough. I looked into this set quite a bit before pulling the trigger and I think it will have been worth it. The sheer magnitude of content means there should be something I enjoy...maybe. At the end of the day, it only cost me about $5 per disc out of pocket, so I am pretty confident. I have always enjoyed digging through the "lesser" films moreso than watching stuff I know will be "good." It might not always pay off, but I find it to be more fun that way.

[Mindfather]

I blind bought this because I blind bought the Steckler box and its like my favorite thing right now

[Undeadbokun]

Originally Posted by Mindfather

I blind bought this because I blind bought the Steckler box and its like my favorite thing right now

That is good to hear. I recently got the Steckler box after enjoying the Milligan set so much. I haven't opened it yet, but based upon the research I did, it looks right up my alley.

[Indicator]

Final specs for the Michael J Murphy box:



Disc One:



Disc Two:



Disc Three:



Disc Four:



Disc Five:



Disc Six:



Disc Seven:



Disc Eight:



Disc Nine:



Disc Ten:

[Indicator]

Final specs for the Enter Santo double bill:



Santo vs Evil Brain:



Santo vs Infernal Men:

[sandman slim]

Originally Posted by Mindfather

Just ordered the boxset last night off blowitoutahere on ebay and they usually only list things after they have them, so they should be arriving stateside right meow.

Same. Currently $75 from blowitoutahere, best option since my Movies Unlimited order got canceled. And yes, they only list instock items; when I ordered, it said "13 sold, more than 10 still available". Should be here Thursday, maybe sooner since I'm close (they ship from Kentucky).