Arrow Video has announced its January batch of 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases. They are:
The Conan Chronicles (1982-1984),
Conan the Destroyer (1984),
Conan the Barbarian (1982),
Murphy's War (1971), and
Carrie (1976).
Conan the Barbarian 4K Blu-ray
Ripped from the pages of Robert E. Howard's beloved pulp stories, and brought to the screen by maverick director John Milius, Conan the Barbarian is one of the most beloved fantasy-action adventures in Hollywood history, which not only popularized a new subgenre - the sword-and-sorcery film - but also made a cinematic icon of its star, former bodybuilding sensation Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In an ancient land, young Conan witnesses his family being slaughtered by an evil snake cult ransacking his village. Raised as a slave, the adult Conan (Schwarzenegger) rises up through the fighting pits, becoming an unparalleled and fearsome warrior. Unexpectedly freed, Conan and his companions - two fighters, Subotai (Gerry Lopez) and Valeria (Sandahl Bergman), as well as a Wizard (Mako) - are enlisted by King Osric (Max von Sydow) to free his daughter from the hypnotic clutches of the same cult that murdered Conan's family long ago, led by the shape-shifting sorcerer Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones).
Praise Crom! At long last, Milius' glorious ode to the days of high adventure (co-written by Oliver Stone) has been restored in stunning 4K with hours of bonus features and a heart-racing Atmos remix that immerses you in the action, accompanied throughout by an electrifying, career-best score by the late Basil Poledouris (RoboCop). If you do not listen... then to hell with you!
Special Features and Techncial Specs:
DISC ONE - 4K BLU-RAY
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION from the original negative by Arrow Films
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION of three versions of the film via seamless branching: the Theatrical Cut (127 mins), the International Cut (129 mins) and the Extended Cut (130 mins)
- Newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio on all three cuts
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on all three cuts
- Archive feature commentary by director John Milius and star Arnold Schwarzenegger (Extended Cut only)
- Brand new feature commentary by genre historian Paul M. Sammon, author of Conan: The Phenomenon (Extended Cut only)
- Newly assembled isolated score track in lossless stereo (Extended Cut only)
DISC TWO - EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
- Conan Unchained: The Making of Conan, an archive documentary from 2000 featuring interviews with Schwarzenegger, Milius, Stone, Jones, Lopez, Bergman, Poledouris and several others
- Designing Conan, a newly filmed interview with production artist William Stout
- Costuming Conan, a newly filmed interview with costume designer John Bloomfield
- Barbaric Effects, a newly filmed interview with special effects crew members Colin Arthur and Ron Hone
- Young Conan, a newly filmed interview with actor Jorge Sanz
- Conan & The Priest, a newly filmed interview with actor Jack Taylor
- Cutting the Barbarian, a newly filmed interview with assistant editor Peck Prior
- Crafting Conan's Magic, a newly filmed interview with visual effects crew members Peter Kuran and Katherine Kean
- Barbarians and Northmen, a newly filmed interview with filmmaker Robert Eggers on the film's influence on The Northman
- Behind the Barbarian, a newly filmed interview with John Walsh, author of Conan the Barbarian: The Official History of the Film
- A Line in the Sand, a newly filmed interview with Alfio Leotta, author of The Cinema of John Milius
- Conan: The Rise of a Fantasy Legend, an archive featurette on the film's literary and comic book roots
- Art of Steel: Sword Makers & Masters, an archive interview with sword master Kiyoshi Yamasaki
- Conan: From the Vault, an archive compilation of on-set cast and crew interviews
- A Tribute to Basil Poledouris, a series of videos produced by the Úbeda Film Music Festival, including video of Poledouris conducting a concert of music from the film in 2006 (remixed in 5.1 surround) and interviews with collaborators such as Paul Verhoeven and Randal Kleiser
- Rarely-seen electronic press kit from 1982, featuring over half an hour of on-set footage and cast and crew interviews (from a watermarked tape source)
- Outtakes, including a deleted cameo by Milius
- Split-screen "Valeria Battles Spirits" visual effects comparison
- Conan: The Archives, a gallery of photos and production images from 2000
- Conan the Barbarian: The Musical, an affectionate comic tribute to the film by Jon & Al Kaplan
- US and International teaser and theatrical trailers
- Image gallery
- Double-sided fold-out poster
- Six double-sided collectors' postcards
- Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and an archive set report by Paul M. Sammon
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JANUARY: 16.
Conan the Barbarian
Special Features and Techncial Specs:
DISC ONE - 4K BLU-RAY
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION from the original negative by Arrow Films
- Newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio on all three cuts
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on all three cuts
- Archive feature commentary by director John Milius and star Arnold Schwarzenegger (Extended Cut only)
- Brand new feature commentary by genre historian Paul M. Sammon, author of Conan: The Phenomenon (Extended Cut only)
- Newly assembled isolated score track in lossless stereo (Extended Cut only)
DISC TWO - EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
- Conan Unchained: The Making of Conan, an archive documentary from 2000 featuring interviews with Schwarzenegger, Milius, Stone, Jones, Lopez, Bergman, Poledouris and several others
- Designing Conan, a newly filmed interview with production artist William Stout
- Costuming Conan, a newly filmed interview with costume designer John Bloomfield
- Barbaric Effects, a newly filmed interview with special effects crew members Colin Arthur and Ron Hone
- Young Conan, a newly filmed interview with actor Jorge Sanz
- Conan & The Priest, a newly filmed interview with actor Jack Taylor
- Cutting the Barbarian, a newly filmed interview with assistant editor Peck Prior
- Crafting Conan's Magic, a newly filmed interview with visual effects crew members Peter Kuran and Katherine Kean
- Barbarians and Northmen, a newly filmed interview with filmmaker Robert Eggers on the film's influence on The Northman
- Behind the Barbarian, a newly filmed interview with John Walsh, author of Conan the Barbarian: The Official History of the Film
- A Line in the Sand, a newly filmed interview with Alfio Leotta, author of The Cinema of John Milius
- Conan: The Rise of a Fantasy Legend, an archive featurette on the film's literary and comic book roots
- Art of Steel: Sword Makers & Masters, an archive interview with sword master Kiyoshi Yamasaki
- Conan: From the Vault, an archive compilation of on-set cast and crew interviews
- A Tribute to Basil Poledouris, a series of videos produced by the Úbeda Film Music Festival, including video of Poledouris conducting a concert of music from the film in 2006 (remixed in 5.1 surround) and interviews with collaborators such as Paul Verhoeven and Randal Kleiser
- Rarely-seen electronic press kit from 1982, featuring over half an hour of on-set footage and cast and crew interviews (from a watermarked tape source)
- Outtakes, including a deleted cameo by Milius
- Split-screen "Valeria Battles Spirits" visual effects comparison
- Conan: The Archives, a gallery of photos and production images from 2000
- Conan the Barbarian: The Musical, an affectionate comic tribute to the film by Jon & Al Kaplan
- US and International teaser and theatrical trailers
- Image gallery
- Double-sided fold-out poster
- Six double-sided collectors' postcards
- Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and an archive set report by Paul M. Sammon
Conan the Destroyer 4K Blu-ray
After conquering the box office with his first outing as the sword-wielding Cimmerian, Arnold Schwarzenegger returns in Conan the Destroyer, an exciting and action-packed sequel from veteran director Richard Fleischer (The Vikings) that amps up the fantasy-adventure and hews closer to the character's pulp and comic book origins.
Still mourning the death of his beloved Valeria, Conan is given an offer he can't refuse by Queen Taramis (Sarah Douglas): he will escort her niece, Princess Jehnna (Olivia d'Abo), on a quest to find a mystical horn that will awaken a slumbering god, in return for Valeria being brought back from the dead. With a new group of companions by his side - including a fierce warrior woman named Zula (Grace Jones) - Conan must battle an onslaught of evil beasts, wizards and cannibals, little suspecting that the wicked Taramis intends to betray him with the aid of her head guard, Bombaata (Wilt Chamberlain).
Photographed by the great Academy Award-winning cinematographer Jack Cardiff, with another rousing score by Basil Poledouris, Conan the Destroyer has finally been restored in 4K with hours of brand new bonus features taking you deeper into the legend of the thief who would be king.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION from the original negative by Arrow Films
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
- Archive feature commentary by director Richard Fleischer
- Archive feature commentary by actors Olivia d'Abo and Tracey Walter
- Archive feature commentary by actor Sarah Douglas with genre historians Kim Newman & Stephen Jones
- Brand new feature commentary by genre historian Paul M. Sammon, author of Conan: The Phenomenon
- Newly assembled isolated score track in lossless stereo
- Casting the Destroyer, a newly filmed interview with casting director Johanna Ray
- Cut from a Different Cloth, a newly filmed interview with costume designer John Bloomfield
- Dune and the Destroyer, a newly filmed interview with art director Kevin Phipps
- Swords, Sorcery & Stunts, a newly filmed interview with stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong
- Behind the Destroyer, a newly filmed interview with John Walsh, author of Conan the Barbarian: The Official History of the Film
- Conan: The Making of a Comic Book Legend, an archive interview with writers Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway
- Basil Poledouris: Composing the Conan Saga, an archive interview with the composer
- Theatrical trailers
- Image gallery
- Double-sided fold-out poster
- Six double-sided collectors' postcards
- Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and an archive set report by Paul M. Sammon
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JANUARY 16.
Conan the Destroyer
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATION from the original negative by Arrow Films
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
- Archive feature commentary by director Richard Fleischer
- Archive feature commentary by actors Olivia d'Abo and Tracey Walter
- Archive feature commentary by actor Sarah Douglas with genre historians Kim Newman & Stephen Jones
- Brand new feature commentary by genre historian Paul M. Sammon, author of Conan: The Phenomenon
- Newly assembled isolated score track in lossless stereo
- Casting the Destroyer, a newly filmed interview with casting director Johanna Ray
- Cut from a Different Cloth, a newly filmed interview with costume designer John Bloomfield
- Dune and the Destroyer, a newly filmed interview with art director Kevin Phipps
- Swords, Sorcery & Stunts, a newly filmed interview with stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong
- Behind the Destroyer, a newly filmed interview with John Walsh, author of Conan the Barbarian: The Official History of the Film
- Conan: The Making of a Comic Book Legend, an archive interview with writers Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway
- Basil Poledouris: Composing the Conan Saga, an archive interview with the composer
- Theatrical trailers
- Image gallery
- Double-sided fold-out poster
- Six double-sided collectors' postcards
- Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and an archive set report by Paul M. Sammon
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JANUARY 16.
The Conan Chronicles 4K Blu-ray
Ripped from the pages of Robert E. Howard's beloved pulp stories, 1982's Conan the Barbarian and its sequel, 1984's Conan the Destroyer, not only popularized a new subgenre - the sword-and-sorcery film - but also made a cinematic icon of the star playing the titular hero, former bodybuilding sensation Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Conan the Barbarian, from maverick filmmaker John Milius, sees the Cimmerian thief and future king rise up from slavery to become an unparalleled and fearsome warrior, intent on vengeance against the evil snake cult that slaughtered his family long ago, led by the shape-shifting sorcerer Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones). In the sequel, helmed by action veteran Richard Fleischer, Conan finds himself escorting a young princess on a quest for a mythical horn that will awaken a slumbering god, battling an onslaught of evil beasts, wizards and cannibals along the way.
At long last, these glorious odes to the days of high adventure have been restored in stunning 4K with hours of bonus features and heart-racing Atmos remixes that immerse you in the action, accompanied throughout by electrifying music scores by the late Basil Poledouris (RoboCop). If you do not listen... then to hell with you!
Speial Features and Techncial Specs:
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATIONS OF BOTH FILMS from the original negatives by Arrow Films
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATIONS OF BOTH FILMS
- Three versions of Conan the Barbarian via seamless branching: Theatrical Cut (127 mins), International Cut (129 mins) and Extended Cut (130 mins)
- Newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio for both films
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on both films
- Archive commentary for Conan the Barbarian by John Milius and Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Archive commentaries for Conan the Destroyer by Richard Fleischer and actors Olivia d'Abo, Tracey Walter and Sarah Douglas
- Brand new commentaries for both films by genre historian Paul M. Sammon
- Newly assembled isolated score tracks in lossless stereo for both films
- Newly filmed interviews for Conan the Barbarian with production artist William Stout, costume designer John Bloomfield, special effects crew members Colin Arthur and Ron Hone, actors Jorge Sanz and Jack Taylor, assistant editor Peck Prior, visual effects animators Peter Kuran and Katherine Kean, filmmaker Robert Eggers (The Northman) and authors John Walsh and Alfio Leotto
- Newly filmed interviews for Conan the Destroyer with Bloomfield and Walsh, casting director Johanna Ray, art director Kevin Phipps and stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong
- Conan Unchained: The Making of Conan, an archive documentary from 2000 featuring interviews with Schwarzenegger, Milius, Stone, Jones, Lopez, Bergman, Poledouris and several others
- Archive bonus features for both films, including interviews with sword master Kiyoshi Yamasaki, writers Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway and Poledouris, outtakes and more
- A Tribute to Basil Poledouris, a series of videos produced by the Úbeda Film Music Festival, including video of Poledouris conducting a concert of music from Conan the Barbarian in 2006 (remixed in 5.1 surround)
- Theatrical trailers and image galleries for both films
- Double-sided fold-out posters for both films
- Twelve double-sided collectors' postcards
- Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and archive set reports for both films by Paul M. Sammon
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JANUARY 16.
The Conan Chronicles
Speial Features and Techncial Specs:
- BRAND NEW 4K RESTORATIONS OF BOTH FILMS from the original negatives by Arrow Films
- Three versions of Conan the Barbarian via seamless branching: Theatrical Cut (127 mins), International Cut (129 mins) and Extended Cut (130 mins)
- Newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio for both films
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on both films
- Archive commentary for Conan the Barbarian by John Milius and Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Archive commentaries for Conan the Destroyer by Richard Fleischer and actors Olivia d'Abo, Tracey Walter and Sarah Douglas
- Brand new commentaries for both films by genre historian Paul M. Sammon
- Newly assembled isolated score tracks in lossless stereo for both films
- Newly filmed interviews for Conan the Barbarian with production artist William Stout, costume designer John Bloomfield, special effects crew members Colin Arthur and Ron Hone, actors Jorge Sanz and Jack Taylor, assistant editor Peck Prior, visual effects animators Peter Kuran and Katherine Kean, filmmaker Robert Eggers (The Northman) and authors John Walsh and Alfio Leotto
- Newly filmed interviews for Conan the Destroyer with Bloomfield and Walsh, casting director Johanna Ray, art director Kevin Phipps and stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong
- Conan Unchained: The Making of Conan, an archive documentary from 2000 featuring interviews with Schwarzenegger, Milius, Stone, Jones, Lopez, Bergman, Poledouris and several others
- Archive bonus features for both films, including interviews with sword master Kiyoshi Yamasaki, writers Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway and Poledouris, outtakes and more
- A Tribute to Basil Poledouris, a series of videos produced by the Úbeda Film Music Festival, including video of Poledouris conducting a concert of music from Conan the Barbarian in 2006 (remixed in 5.1 surround)
- Theatrical trailers and image galleries for both films
- Double-sided fold-out posters for both films
- Twelve double-sided collectors' postcards
- Illustrated collectors' booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and archive set reports for both films by Paul M. Sammon
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JANUARY 16.
Murphy's War
Iconic actor Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia, The Stunt Man) joins forces with director Peter Yates (Bullit, The Friends of Eddie Coyle) in this blisteringly acerbic, wildly entertaining film about the absurdity of war.
During the last days of WWII, the merchant ship 'Mount Kyle' is sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Venezuela and the sailors machine-gunned in the water. Only Murphy (O'Toole) survives, making his way to shore where he is nursed to health by Dr. Hayden (Sian Phillips), a pacifist Quaker who runs a missionary settlement near the mouth of the Orinoco River. When Murphy discovers that the U-boat is now hiding further up the river using the jungle for cover, he becomes obsessed with retribution and begins a one man war to sink the German U-boat, no matter the cost.
With a script by Stirling Silliphant (In the Heat of the Night, The Poseidon Adventure), cinematography by the legendary Douglas Slocombe (The Italian Job, Raiders of the Lost Ark) and a supporting cast that includes Philippe Noiret (La Grande Bouffe, Cinema Paradiso) and Horst Janson (Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter, Shout at the Devil), Murphy's War is an underseen gem.
Special features and Technical Specs:
- High Definition presentation
- Original lossless mono audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Running Out of War, a new visual essay by film critic David Cairns
- A Great Adventure, an archive interview with assistant director John Glen
- Dougie, Chic and Me, and archive interview with focus puller Robin Vidgeon
- One Man Army, an archive interview with film critic Sheldon Hall
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
- Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing by film critic Philip Kemp
U.S. AND CANADA STREET DATE: JANUARY 30.
Carrie 4K Blu-ray
In 1974, Stephen King published his first novel, the story of Carrie White, a troubled young girl, bullied by her peers and daughter to a fanatical fundamentalist mother, who discovers she has telekinetic powers. In 1976, it became the first of his works to be adapted for the big screen and, to this day, remains one of the very best.
Carrie marked Brian De Palma's arrival as a major director, following smaller cult films such as Sisters, Phantom of the Paradise and Obsession, and provided a key early role for Sissy Spacek (Badlands), one that would earn her a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards®. Piper Laurie would also pick up a nomination as Carrie's mother, while future stars such as Amy Irving, John Travolta and Nancy Allen were given their first major parts in a big-screen production.
Restored in 4K from the original negative, this collector's edition provides the definitive release of a horror classic.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE
- DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- Lossless mono and DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio soundtracks
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Commentary by Lee Gambin, author of Nope, Nothing Wrong Here: The Making of Cujo, and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, author of Cultographies: Ms. 45 and Devil's Advocates: Suspiria
- Acting Carrie - archive featurette containing interviews with director Brian De Palma, actors Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, William Katt and others
- More Acting Carrie - additional interviews with the cast of the film
- Visualising Carrie: From Words to Images - archive featurette containing interviews with De Palma, writer Lawrence D. Cohen, editor Paul Hirsch and art director Jack Fisk
- Singing Carrie: Carrie the Musical - archive featurette on the stage musical adaptation of King's novel
- Writing Carrie - an interview with writer Lawrence D. Cohen
- Shooting Carrie - an interview with cinematographer Mario Tosi
- Cutting Carrie - an interview with editor Paul Hirsch
- Casting Carrie - an interview with casting director Harriet B. Helberg
- Bucket of Blood - an interview with composer Pino Donaggio
- Horror's Hallowed Grounds - a look back at the locations of Carrie
- Comparing Carrie - visual essay comparing the various versions and adaptations of Carrie across the years
- Alternate TV opening
- Image gallery
- Trailer
- TV spots
- Radio spots
- Carrie trailer reel
- Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork by Laz Marquez
- Limited edition 40-page perfect bound book featuring writing on the film by Neil Mitchell, author of Devil's Advocates: Carrie, a reprint of the Final Girls' 40th anniversary Carriezine, and an archive interview with Brian De Palma
- Fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and new artwork by Laz Marquez
- Six double-sided collector's postcards
UK STREET DATE: JANAURY 22.