Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper
Ghostkeeper

Canadian International Pictures

Ghostkeeper

$26.49
$26.49
$36.98
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Edition Type: Standard Edition

CIP-040
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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

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This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Tony Stella) was limited to 2,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing CIP's brand new line of home video releases!

Who next becomes the keeper of the beast that lives on human flesh?    

During a New Year’s Eve snowmobiling trip, Jenny (Rabid’s Riva Spier), her boyfriend Marty (The Grey Fox’s Murray Ord), and their friend Chrissy (Sheri McFadden) veer off path to explore a patch of private property. Stranded by a heavy snowfall, they stumble upon an abandoned hotel and seek refuge for the night. But before long, they meet a menacing woman (Rad’s Georgie Collins) who shares the building with her knife-wielding son (The High Country’s Bill Grove) and a mysterious creature who feeds on human flesh. As the visiting trio comes under attack, they struggle to make a safe escape – and maintain their grip on reality.    

Featuring haunting performances from its entire cast and a typically atmospheric score by Paul Zaza (My Bloody Valentine), James Makichuk’s Ghostkeeper is an essential entry in the New Year’s Eve horror canon and a dread-inducing descent into wintery isolation and madness. Long regarded as the Canadian answer to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, this slasher staple is a Canuxploitation classic and one of the enduring highlights of the tax shelter era.

directed by: James Makichuk
starring: Riva Spier, Murray Ord, Sheri McFadden, Georgie Collins
1981 / 87 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0

Additional info:

  • Region A Blu-ray
  • Newly scanned and restored in 4K from the only known complete 35mm theatrical print by Canadian International Pictures
  • New audio commentary featuring stars Riva Spier and Murray Ord, plus co-writer/associate producer Doug MacLeod
  • New audio commentary featuring The Hysteria Continues! and author/film historian Amanda Reyes
  • New episode of The New World Pictures Podcast on Ghostkeeper
  • Ghostsneaker (2025, 16 min.) – New interview with film historian Chris Alexander
  • The Window of Opportunity (2025, 15 min.) – New interview with story consultant Dave Makichuk
  • I Need It Friday (2025, 10 min.) – New interview with composer Paul Zaza
  • Zaza Begins (2025, 16 min.) – Zaza reflects on his early films
  • Hollywood Canadians (2025, 14 min.) – Filmmakers Paul Lynch (Prom Night) and David Winning (Storm) reflect on Jim Makichuk
  • Calgary Underground Film Festival Q&A (2024, 41 min.) – Post-screening discussion featuring Ord, MacLeod, and Dave Makichuk
  • Archival interview with actress Georgie Collins (2011, 14 min.) – A conversation moderated by Ord and edited by Jim Makichuk
  • Archival interview with cinematographer John Holbrook (2011, 7 min.)
  • Alternate opening (1982, 2 min.)
  • Ghostkeeper 2 (2013, 6 min.) – Jim Makichuk’s Kickstarter video pitching a sequel
  • Night School (1971, 2 min.) – Early Jim Makichuk short
  • Booklet featuring a new essay by film journalist/programmer Yasmina Ketita and an essay on the film’s production history by Eric Volmers
  • Reversible cover artwork
  • English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.6030536 / 5 from 262 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Ghostkeeper, a Canadian horror film from 1981, offers a chilling New Year's Eve experience with haunting performances and an atmospheric score. The Blu-ray release includes new 4K scans, audio commentaries, and bonus features like interviews and archival content.

Summary topics

  • Winter Horror Atmosphere (16%): Many customers appreciated the creepy and atmospheric winter horror, describing it as great, fantastic, and awesome.
  • Atmospheric Score (8%): It was reported by customers that the score for the product is excellent and adds to the tension and intrigue.

Review topics: [material, quality, looks, lighting, packaging, upgrade, improvement, performances, sound, effort, edge, work, set, movie, horror, film, release, transfer, atmosphere, flick, artwork, burn, ghostkeeper, score, slasher, gem, presentation, slipcover, restoration, edition].

Review highlights

  • "Excellent slow burn and very atmospheric winter horror." — Christopher B.
  • "The score is great and a must watch every New years" — Jacob M.
  • "It’s a cool atmospheric cold weather flick about a couple and their friend who spend the night in an abandoned hotel." — Michael B.

Reviews

Cold, Isolated and Creepy

"Ghostkeeper is a really effective little Canadian horror film that gets a lot out of its snowy, isolated setting. I liked the slow pace and the feeling of being completely cut off from everything, with the empty hotel becoming increasingly strange and uncomfortable as the film goes on. It is rough around the edges and leaves plenty unexplained, but I think that actually adds to its appeal. There is a lonely, slightly dreamlike quality to it that stayed with me afterwards. Exactly the kind of obscure Canadian genre film I enjoy discovering through CIP."

— Antonio T. (5/5)

Canadian release

"Great Canadian movie. Happy to have to my collection. Slip over is also incredible."

— Philippe D. (5/5)

Another Great CIP Release

"Been waiting on this one for a while. Great looking transfer of this Canadian atmospheric horror classic."

— Roger S. (5/5)

Excellent slow-burn and regional obscure horror gem

"Ghostkeeper is a chilly, atmospheric slice of early Canadian horror that blends folk horror, isolation, and slasher elements into something strangely hypnotic. The Canadian International Pictures Blu-ray gives the film a major upgrade, with a surprisingly rich restoration that preserves the snowy landscapes and eerie lodge interiors beautifully. Packed with worthwhile supplements, including interviews and archival material that highlight the movie’s place in Canadian genre history, this is an excellent boutique release for horror fans interested in obscure regional cinema and slow-burning supernatural tension."

— Roberto P. (5/5)

Great little creepy flick

"Love the booklet and the transfer is perfect. An amazing eerie little movie with a great score"

— logan w. (5/5)

Ghostkeeper

"Great atmospheric horror movie with finally a fantastic transfer !"

— PATRICE C. (5/5)

Great package

"A strong mystery. A good, not great transfer, but the supplements make up for it."

— matthew l. (5/5)

Spooky stuff

"This is a good one. Check it out"

— Scott Z. (5/5)

Slow burn, but a good wintery movie

"If you like wintery, snowy, slow burn movies, this one is for you. I personally love old 70's & 80's slow paced moves (as long as it stays somewhat interesting). Definitely worth seeing at least once."

— Woodrow M. (3/5)

Winter Wailing

"Ghostkeeper is a cold, atmospheric horror that builds tension through isolation and eerie folklore. Jim Makichuk uses the remote winter setting to create a steady sense of dread that lingers throughout. It’s a slow burn, but its haunting mood and unsettling presence make it a rewarding watch for patient horror fans."

— Shawn M. (3/5)

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