The Horrible Dr. Hichcock

Details

This special limited edition 2-disc 4K UHD/Blu-ray set comes with a spot gloss hard slipcase + slipcover combo (designed by Chris Barnes), includes a 40-page perfect bound book and is limited to 8,000 units. It is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

'Versions' Note: The Horrible Dr. Hichcock is presented with two unique picture edits, comprising three versions of the film, all on 4K UHD: The original Italian version, with Italian language credits, is offered with both its English and Italian language sound mixes. The alternate U.S. version is presented with its English language mix and original U.S. credit sequence and title card. Historically, there were never any editorial differences between the English language version of the Italian cut and the Italian language version, other than the language of the opening credits themselves. While we are presenting the Italian language credits with both language tracks specifically on the Italian version, the English “Raptus” title sequence card can be found on the Blu-ray bonus features.

Brilliant scientist, Professor Bernard Hichcock, harbors a secret fascination with the corpses of beautiful young women. His perverse desires are so strong that he has developed a unique serum capable of placing people into a death-like state; a drug he has decided to experiment with on his wife, Margaretha. However, after accidentally giving her a lethal dose, the doctor panics and covers up his wife’s death. Hichcock soon remarries, this time to the orphaned Cynthia, whom he brings to live with him at his isolated castle. Shortly after her arrival, Cynthia begins to experience increasingly strange and ghastly goings-on. While her new husband dismisses these seemingly supernatural occurrences, Cynthia becomes convinced that someone - or something - is lurking in the castle and her loving husband might know more than he’s letting on…

A crucial early work in the Italian gothic horror canon, THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK, from director Riccardo Freda (Tragic Ceremony) and screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi (The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh), is a macabre period chiller which stars Barbara Steele (Black Sabbath) alongside Robert Flemyng (The Blood Beast Terror), Silvano Tranquilli (So Sweet, So Dead), and Harriet Medin (Blood and Black Lace). Graced with eye-poppingly colorful cinematography from Raffaele Masciocchi (The Ghost), Vinegar Syndrome proudly presents the UHD debut of this twisted and suspenseful classic in a brand new and exclusive 4K restoration of its original negative, and loaded with fresh extras including interviews with second assistant director Marcello Avallone and star Barbara Steele!

directed by: Riccardo Freda
starring: Barbara Steele, Robert Flemyng, Silvano Tranquilli, Harriet Medin, Maria Teresa Vianello, Spencer Williams, Aldo Cristiani, Evaristo Signorini, Giovanni Querrel
1962 / 1.85:1
Italian Cut: 87 min / Italian Mono + English Mono
American Cut: 76 min / English Mono

Additional info:

• 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD (UHD100) / Region A Blu-ray
• 4K UHD presented in High-Dynamic-Range
• Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative
• The 87-minute Italian cut features both its Italian and English language tracks and is available on both the UHD and Blu-ray discs
• The 76-minute American cut with its English language track and is available on both the UHD and Blu-ray discs
• Commentary track with film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
• "The Horrible Dr. Freda" - an interview with second assistant director Marcello Avallone
• "The Most Honorable Julyan Perry" - an interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi
• "Necropolises and Necrophiliacs" - filmmaker Marcello Avallone on Italian horror and his experiences of working within the genre
• Scene select commentary track with actress Barbara Steele, moderated by Barbara Steele archivist Russ Lanier
• English "Raptus" title sequence
• Italian trailer
• Still gallery
• Reversible sleeve artwork
• Newly translated English subtitles