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Monday, March 10, 2008

The Anchor Bay Collection Proudly Presents THE DARIO ARGENTO BOX SET

“The greatest of GIALLO filmmakers” - New York Times

Five Argento masterpieces together in a collectible boxed set for the first time on May 27

BURBANK, CA – Dario Argento is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in modern history, a director whose work has shocked, entertained and enthralled millions the world over. The world of Dario Argento is a surreal, mysterious and mesmerizing one. There is a unique magic and power that “The Maestro” brings to everything he touches.

Now, Anchor Bay Entertainment pays tribute to the acclaimed filmmaker with The Dario Argento Box Set, a five-film collection that will be released under the prestigious Anchor Bay Collection banner on May 27th. SRP is $49.97 and pre-book is April 24th.

Following the worldwide success of his hallucinatory horror hit Suspiria, Argento returned to the genre that he helped to pioneer and which launched his international career and earned him the title of “The Italian Hitchcock.” In these acclaimed “giallo” thrillers, Argento explores the extremes of murder, insanity and brutality with the startling plot twists, stunning visuals and shocking twists that have defined his work.

The five films in this collection have been remastered from original vault elements and are presented uncut and uncensored for an all-new look at one of the most controversial and influential filmmakers in the history of modern cinema.

The Dario Argento Box Set, is the quintessential assemblage of Argento’s brilliance and includes such masterpieces as:

Tenebre Special Edition (released in the U.S. as Unsane), starring Academy Award® nominee Anthony Franciosa (A Hatful of Rain, Across 110th Street) and Golden Globe® winner John Saxon (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Enter the Dragon). Tenebre features a brand new 16x9 transfer, plus an all-new retrospective featurette;

Phenomena Special Edition (released in the U.S. as Creepers), starring Academy Award® winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind, Blood Diamond) and the legendary Donald Pleasence (Halloween series, The Great Escape, Escape from New York ). Remastered in 16x9 with an all-new retrospective featurette;

Trauma, starring Argento’s exquisite daughter Asia Argento (New Rose Hotel, XXX), three-time Academy Award®-nominee, Golden Globe® and Emmy Award® winner Piper Laurie (Children of a Lesser God, Carrie, “Twin Peaks”), Academy Award®- nominee Frederic Forrest (Apocalypse Now, The Rose, Tucker: The Man and His Dream) and Academy Award®-nominee Brad Dourif (Mississippi Burning, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the voice of “Chucky” in the Child’s Play franchise);

The Card Player, starring Stefania Rocca (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Dracula’s Curse) and IFTA Award winner Liam Cunningham (Dog Soldiers, Breakfast on Pluto, “RKO 281”);

Do You Like Hitchcock?, Argento’s personal homage to his life-long idol, starring Elio Germano (Napoleon and Me, Respiro) and Chiara Conti (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Marco Bellocchio’s award-winning The Religion Hour).

Each of these films boasts a variety of DVD special features, including audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes retrospectives, trailers and more.

In addition, Anchor Bay Entertainment will release the special editions of both Tenebre and Phenomena individually at an SRP of $19.97 each.

Argento was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2001 Amsterdam Fantasy Film Festival, the Maverick Tribute Award at the 2000 Cinequest San Jose Film Festival, a Special Award “FantaItaly” from the 1985 Fantafestival, the Time Machine Honorary Award from the Sitges – Catalonian Film Festival, and the 2007 Career Award from Flaiano International Prizes.

Argento’s career is going stronger than ever. He recently completed the long-anticipated Mother of Tears: The Third Mother, concluding the unforgettable trilogy begun in Suspiria and continued in Inferno, and he directed the segments Pelts and Jenifer for the award-winning Showtime series “Masters of Horror” (available from Anchor Bay Entertainment). Argento is currently directing the thriller Giallo, which will be released later this year. The film stars Ray Liotta, Asia Argento and Elsa Pataky.

In the tradition of previous Anchor Bay Collection releases like Re-Animator and Phantasm, The Dario Argento Box Set is a must-have item for the Argento aficionado and all horror devotees.

TENEBRE SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
New remastered widescreen (1.85:1) transfer, enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Audio Commentary with writer/director Dario Argento, music composer Claudio Simonetti and journalist Loris Curci
Voices of The Unsane
The Roving Camera Eye of Dario Argento
Creating the Sounds of Terror
Alternate end-credit music
Theatrical trailer
Dario Argento biography

PHENOMENA SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
New remastered widescreen (1.66:1) transfer, enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Audio Commentary with writer/director Dario Argento, special makeup effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, music composer Claudio Simonetti and journalist Loris Curci
A Dark Fairy Tale
Luigi Cozzi & The Art of Macrophotography
Dario Argento on “The Joe Franklin Show”
Claudio Simonetti Music Video (“Jennifer”)
Bill Wyman Music Video (“Valley”)
Theatrical trailer
Dario Argento biography

TRAUMA SPECIAL FEATURES
Widescreen (2.35:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Audio Commentary with Profondo Argento author Alan Jones
Love, Death & Trauma featurette with an interview with director Dario Argento
Never-Before-Seen, On-Set and Behind-The-Scenes Footage
Exclusive Special Effects home movies from Tom Savini
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Poster & Still Gallery
Dario Argento biography

THE CARD PLAYER SPECIAL FEATURES
Widescreen (1.85:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Audio Commentary with Profondo Argento author Alan Jones
“Playing With Death” featurette including an exclusive interview with director Dario Argento
Maestro of Fear featurette with composer Claudio Simonetti
Electronic Press Kit
Behind-The-Scenes Footage
Theatrical Trailer

DO YOU LIKE HITCHCOCK? SPECIAL FEATURES
Widescreen (1.66:1) presentation, enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Do You Like Hitchcock?: Backstage
Dario Argento biography

THE DARIO ARGENTO BOX SET
Street Date: May 27, 2008
Pre-book: April 24, 2008
Run Time: 513 Minutes total (approximately)
Rated: Not Rated
SRP: $49.97

TENEBRE SPECIAL EDITION
Street Date: May 27, 2008
Pre-book: April 24, 2008
Run Time: 101 Minutes
Rated: Not Rated
SRP: $19.97

PHENOMENA SPECIAL EDITION
Street Date: May 27, 2008
Pre-book: April 24, 2008
Run Time: 110 Minutes
Rated: Not Rated
SRP: $19.97
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