This special limited edition J-card MediaBook slipcase (designed by Adam Maida) is limited to 4,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Taking its name from the Lumière Brothers invention of the same name, Cinématographe is a new sub-label from Vinegar Syndrome that seeks to fill gaps in the canon of American cinema. Offering a mix of auteur driven studio films produced during the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s and 70s all the way through the indie boom of the 1980s and 90s, Cinématographe will explore the wide breadth of American moviemaking, spanning numerous genres and scales of production. Curated and produced by Vinegar Syndrome's Justin LaLiberty, each limited edition release will be housed in a specially designed, cloth-bound, media book with embossed foil titles and custom molded disc trays accompanied by a slipcase featuring newly commissioned art and an individually numbered J-card.
Malcolm Shanks (Marcel Marceau, Barbarella) is a deaf, mute, reclusive puppeteer who lives with his overbearing sister (Tsilla Chelton, Peppermint Soda) and her lush of a husband, Mr. Barton (Philippe Clay, French Cancan). The only source of joy in his harsh world is his puppets, which is noticed by a beguiling inventor named Dr. Baker (also played by Marceau), who promptly offers him a job as his assistant. Upon Dr. Baker’s sudden death, Shanks discovers that he can, with the aid of electrodes, reanimate the dead, bringing a new reality to their experiments.
The final film from gimmick-prone, American genre film icon William Castle (The Tingler, The House on Haunted Hill), SHANKS is a decidedly surrealist amalgamation of quirky fantasy and mid-70s character-driven horror. Anchored by a delectable dual performance from celebrated French actor Marcel Marcau, with potently eerie camera work by 13 Ghosts cinematographer Joseph F. Biroc and an atmospheric score by legendary composer Alex North (Spartacus, The Bad Seed), Cinématographe is proud to present William Castle’s often overlooked slice of mid- 70s alienation in its 4K UHD debut from a brand new restoration from its original negative.
directed by: William Castle starring: Marcel Marceau, Tsilla Chelton, Philippe Clay, Cindy Eilbacher, Helena Kallianiotes, Larry Bishop 1974 / 93 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 1.0
Additional info:
2-Disc Set: 4K Ultra HD + Region A Blu-ray
New audio commentary with film historians Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw
No Words for the Dead: Reanimating William Castle, Visual Language and The Path to Shanks - a new video essay by Daniel Kremer
Marcel Marceau on Shanks - an archival interview with the actor Vintage radio spots
New text essays by culture writer Heather Drain, film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and film professor Murray Leeder, editor of ReFocus: The Films of William Castle
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.529703 / 5 from 202 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
The Shanks limited edition 4K UHD release by Vinegar Syndrome is highly praised for its unique horror-fantasy blend, exceptional performances, and superb packaging. The film's surreal atmosphere and quality transfer have garnered significant appreciation from customers.
Summary topics
Limited Edition (6%): Customers loved the Shanks Cinematographé 4K Limited Edition physical media released through Vinegar Syndrome.
Film Quality (35%): Many customers pointed out that the film is a unique and weird film with a great sense of atmosphere.
Actor Performances (6%): It was observed by customers that the performances in this movie are pretty good, especially for the titular Malcom Shanks.
Horror Genre (5%): Customers raved about Shanks, describing it as a surreal blend of horror and fantasy.
Packaging Quality (12%): It was highlighted by customers that the packaging on this film is incredible and of great premium level.
"Great movie i enjoyed this, great packing and transfer" — Robert E.
"A surreal psychedelic horror/dark fantasy film starring the world's most famous mime and it works!" — Cheryl G.
"Super fascinating and good shit finally given a proper release." — William M.
Reviews
Just a bizarre movie, but the 4K is great
"I can't really recommend Shanks as a movie, unless you're a fan of misbegotten oddities like Skidoo or Xanadu. Director William Castle really has no facility for either the horror or absurdist elements he's trying to exploit - the film often feels like what you'd get if a TV director tried to make a Bunuel movie. But that strangeness is not without interest, and the film does maintain this trainwreck-like appeal. The 4K, I have no such reservations about. Once again, VS has given some forgotten mess a better home-media showing than most "normal" movies get."
— Joshua K. (4/5)
Fascinating 70s Oddity
"William Castle's final film - a fairytale-like dark fantasy - was somewhat different to his more famous works, but no less interesting. Lead by legendary mime artist Marcel Marceau, the film is quite bizarre and difficult to classify, but fans of more unusual and quirky 70s horror ought to enjoy it. I had the Olive release, but happily upgraded for the excellent presentation and impressive array of extras."
— Kyle S. (4/5)
Weird 70s Marcel Marceau flick
"Super strange, silent mime-turned-puppet-master movie, but William Castle gives it a neat fairytale vibe. Weirdly charming."
— CHAN T. (5/5)
what a strange film
"An excellent transfer of a truly strange film. Best packaging in the business, as usual"
— Alexander H. (4/5)
Good Film
"The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
— Paul K. (5/5)
Psycho puppets
"This is a classic tale about a mute puppeteer who is able to manipulate dead bodies like puppets. This is such a good horror/thriller and a welcomed release. It’s highly worth your time."
— james b. (4/5)
My second copy
"I'd bought this before, but sold it due to the huge box (I didn't know at the time they'd be doing standard releases of this line). I won't review in full again, but I'd highly recommend it. Very unusual film and an enjoyable watch!"
— Sam N. (4/5)
The Last Castle
"Had no problems with the order or the sound of this bizarre treatment of both Marcel Marceau’s art and Grimm Fairy Tales. The disc got to me in plenty of time and I found this film never less than interesting."
— Robert J. (5/5)
Oddball Classic
"I'd been meaning to see this for years, glad I waited until this edition was released. This is exactly the kind of oddball, creepy, slow burn 70s horror that I love. Excellent transfer as well."
— Jeffrey E. (5/5)
Great release
"Great release. . fun flick. . not perfect but defintly a great watch"
— Richard J. (4/5)
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