Re-Animator [Limited Edition] (Arrow Films) [Movie Review]

Based on H.P. Lovecraft‘s classic episodic novella Herbert West–Reanimator, Re-Animator is considered a classic film within both the horror and “so bad it’s good” genres. Originally rated X, the Stuart Gordon-directed movie is about Jeffrey Combs as Herbert West, a scientist who invents a solution which can “re-animate” deceased bodies. Filmed for less than $1 million, Re-Animator grossed more than half of its budget on the first weekend of its release in October 1985.

A re-issue title like this is interesting on its own. On the one hand, this was a low-budget — for the time — independent movie that slowly became a cult classic. It was low-brow then and now comes across as more campy than scary. On the other hand, it is a stand-out film for its time and genre, and influential works of art generally have their devoted fanbase that wants to see every morsel of content related to it. This re-issue is not short on bonus features, artwork or audio settings. In turn, if you are already a fan of Re-Animator and do not currently own the title, this version from Arrow Films is the one to purchase.

While Re-Animator has received the deluxe re-issue treatment before, this edition from Arrow Films features a lot of impressive exclusives. Included among those bonus features:

– 4K restorations of the Unrated and Integral versions; the Integral version has never been released in the U.S.
– Mono, Stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD MA Surround Audio Options
– High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
– Exclusive digipak packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Justin Erickson
– Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by journalist Michael Gingold
– A 92-page Re-Animator comic book
– Four postcard-sized lobby card reproductions
– Isolated Score
– Brand new audio commentary with director Stuart Gordon and actors Graham Skipper and Jesse Merlin of Re-Animator: The Musical
– Audio commentary with Stuart Gordon
– Audio commentary with producer Brian Yuzna, actors Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Bruce Abbott and Robert Sampson
– The Re-Animator: Resurrectus feature-length documentary on the making of the film, featuring extensive interviews with cast and crew
– Interviews with director Stuart Gordon and producer Brian Yuzna, writer Dennis Paoli, composer Richard Band and former Fangoria editor Tony Timpone
– A Guide to Lovecraftian Cinema – Chris Lackey, host of the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast, provides a comprehensive look at the many cinematic incarnations of Lovecraft’s work
– Doug Bradley’s Spinechillers: Herbert West-Reanimator actor Combs reads H.P. Lovecraft’s original classic short story
– Music discussion with composer Richard Band
– Barbara Crampton in a 2015 conversation journalist Alan Jones
– The Catastrophe Of Success: Stuart Gordon and The Organic Theater with director Gordon
– Theater Of Blood – Re-Animator: The Musical lyricist Mark Nutter on adapting the cult classic for musical theater
– Extended Scenes
– A Deleted Scene
– Trailer & TV Spots
– Still Gallery

Check out The Arrow Video Story of Re-Animator