This listing is for the standard edition 2-disc Blu-ray. The limited edition hard slipcase + slipcover combo (designed by Adam Maida) was limited to 5,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the packaging and the 40-page book.
The late 70s and early-mid 80s in Poland were a time of incredible censorship and, miraculously, a time of phenomenal output from Polish filmmakers. Often overshadowed on the world stage by his peers, Piotr Szulkin was a visionary pioneer in the dystopian Sci-Fi genre. Presented here are the four films that comprise Szulkin's Apocalypse Tetralogy, originally released between 1980-1986, arguably the busiest period for the scissors of Polish censors. Cleverly working around content restrictions, Szulkin delivers tense and disturbing Sci-Fi, telling fantastical, and often horrific, allegories of living in a corrupt bureaucracy and police state. From aliens to artificially-created beings, from brainwashed masses and ultra-violent indulgences, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present Piotr Szulkin's Apocalypse Tetralogy, making its Worldwide Blu-ray debut.
Pernat finds himself in a police interrogation, accused of a murder, and unable to recall any details of the crime, or even his own life. He's released back into a world of raving lunatics and deranged dentists, murderous doctors and scientists who believe the secret of human creation is inside the walls of a cast-iron oven. Pernat's odyssey to find out who he is, and what it is to be human, will force his path to cross with all of them.
The Martians have landed and they're not to be feared! Or at least that's what TV personality Iron Idem has been telling people. Soon after their arrival though, his apartment is ransacked and his wife kidnapped. He's tagged like a wild animal and his nightly scripts are being changed. What Idem's eyes are seeing no longer matches what he tells audiences night after night. Are the Martians as good-natured as he believed, or is he being used in a more sinister plot that endangers the entire planet?
The world has been ravaged by nuclear war. The planet is frozen and radiation kills anyone or anything that ventures outside of 'The Dome'. Soft is a shepherd for the last remnants of humanity who have gathered together as they await rescue from a mysterious craft known only as 'The Ark.' He wanders among the masses, performing his regular daily tasks; keeping morale from plummeting, wooing prostitutes, squashing rebellions, and sometimes feeding the hungry. But as the true and sinister nature of 'The Dome' comes to light, Soft must ask himself if humanity is worth saving?
Scope is a prisoner on a behemoth space station and is chosen, like all his fellow prisoners, to 'volunteer' for the exploration of far-away planets. Landing on planet Australia 458, he is given a hero's welcome with all the sex, booze, and violence that any one man can stomach. But as his new caretakers push him towards even more heinous and deplorable acts, Scope finds that his freedom comes with a high price; his own violent demise, broadcast live for the viewing pleasure of Australia 458's inhabitants. Is there a way out? Or is Scope's fate sealed?
directed by: Piotr Szulkin starring: Marek Walczewski, Krystyna Janda, Roman Wilhelmi, Mariusz Dmochowski, Jerzy Stuhr, Kalina Jedrusik, Daniel Olbrychski, Katarzyna Figura 1979-1985 / 363 min (combined) / 1.66:1 & 1.85:1 / Polish Mono with English subtitles
Additional info:
2-disc Region Free Set: Blu-ray x2
Newly restored by Vinegar Syndrome from existing studio masters
Brand new commentary track with film historian and author Samm Deighan for GOLEM
Brand new commentary track with film author and critic Michael Brooke for THE WAR OF THE WORLDS: NEXT CENTURY
"Actually Existing Dystopia: Politics, Delusion and Language in O-BI, O-BA: THE END OF CIVILIZATION" (17 min) - a video essay by Jonathan Owen
"Hard to be a Hero: Piotr Szulkin’s GA-GA: GLORY TO THE HEROES" (21 min) - a video essay by Andrew Nette
40-page perfect bound book with essays by Samm Deighan and Patrick Dahl alongside an archival interview with director Piotr Szulkin (Note: only included with the slipcase edition)
Reversible sleeve artwork
Newly translated English subtitles
Overall rating: 4.772541 / 5 from 488 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This Blu-ray collection of Piotr Szulkin's Apocalypse Tetralogy offers a unique viewing experience with restored visuals and fantastic artwork. Customers praise the incredible collection, stunning film looks, and excellent packaging. The release includes insightful video essays and a comprehensive book, making it a must-have for fans of dystopian sci-fi.
"The limited edition packaging has bright and vivid artwork and includes a hard case, slipcover and book." — David P.
"The presentation of all 4 movies is amazing and the colors look beautiful and the slipcase is amazing great job vinegar." — Jason G.
"Gorgeous packaging, amazing films — up there among VS’s best releases" — Jason S.
Reviews
Dystopian Vibes
"An intriguing collection of Polish films that evokes the surreal, dreamlike qualities of David Lynch's work. The dark atmosphere, unsettling imagery, and eerie sound design create a haunting experience."
— Noel H. (4/5)
One of the best things I've ever gotten from VS!!
"I love this! Four movies that are goofy low budget sci fi concepts, but are meaningful and poignant. There's an actual talented artist behind the camera with things to say. These movies actually make you think and they deserve multiple watches, plus it's just something that you don't see in movies this side of the Berlin wall. War of the worlds is my favorite! Love it. Couldn't recommend it enough."
— Stephen J. (5/5)
One of VS' best release
"Political climate, pressure on the director. Those movies were absolutely amazing. No cheese, no sleaze. You're in for serious cinema, arty, experimental, engagé. Very osé for the time, one of the best release from Vinegar Syndrome!"
— Luc T. (5/5)
Fantastic collection of a Director's work
"This was a blind buy for me and I had no experience with Polish cinema/Director's work before this. I could not be more pleased with this purchase and discovery of both. Highly recommend."
— Emilio M. (5/5)
Great Discovery
"Fantastic resurrection of a corner of foreign cinema I didn’t know I was missing out on. All four films deploy fantastic production design and thought-provoking scripts. Blown away."
— Nick C. (5/5)
Amazing films
"This is what we talk about when we say that VS are the best in restorations."
— Norberto S. (5/5)
Entertaining dystopian sci-fi
"This quadrilogy of films was a pleasant discovery for me as it was a random but. The films were entertaining and kind of felt like work by the Polish Terry Gilliam. Excellent quality audio and video transfer and cool reversible sleeve. I missed out on the slipcover"
— Kresh R. (3/5)
Great purchase!
"It's a miracle these films even exist, let alone got a physical release. The transfers are all excellent and comes with ample bonus features. The artwork is great and comes with a reversible cover allowing you to pick your preference. A collection of Szulkin's Polish dystopian sci-fi films, it is not exactly they typical VinSyn release, but so glad they did!"
— Alec E. (5/5)
Great Sci Fi Horror Set
"I really enjoyed the style of these films. Excellent special features too. Highly recommended."
— Jeffrey L. (5/5)
cool lil pretentious polish movies
"you can change the cover to an alternative cover which is pretty baller the plastic case is solid and good quality obi-oba is cool i like dat movie"
— Landis J. (5/5)
Q&A
More Items to Consider
Cart
0 Item(s)
Stay in the know!
Join our mailing list for updates on new releases, promotions & events.
