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This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover was limited to 3,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
The Reviver sub-label releases lost films and missing movies found within the Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive. Each release is a “mystery box” of archival curios scanned from their best-surviving film elements and programmed by VS archivist & vault manager Oscar Becher. In the spirit of the hunt for lost films, each limited edition also includes a 1 in 10 chance of featuring holographic variant sleeve artwork. Purchases of Reviver releases directly fund archival expenses and day-to-day maintenance of the film archive.
Although a relative newcomer to the world of film restoration and distribution, Vinegar Syndrome has amassed one of the most extensive collections of archival film materials in the United States. While our decade-plus existence is short when compared to other major archives and distribution entities, our efforts to protect, release, and preserve unsung films from the world of independent cinema has only expanded over time. Although our focus has primarily been the distribution of feature films, we have amassed swaths of scintillating short films as well.
After their heyday in the silent era, many short films have since become lost due to their perceived lack of market value. While short films did not disappear, by the mid-twentieth century (the beginning of the Vinegar Syndrome scope) they had largely morphed into non-theatrically-distributed works from filmmakers and artists who endeavored to make films their way. Here, we’ve assembled some of our favorite lost shorts found within our archive that have been waiting patiently for their time to shine.
For Vinegar Syndrome’s first-ever shorts program, we selected from an eclectic mix of all subject matters imaginable, from lost projects from genre film legends to oddities which could never be released until now! We’re happy to present at long last this cultivated cabinet of curiosities containing the weirdest and wildest short films from within the Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive. All have been archivally scanned from their best-surviving (and in many cases, only) elements, with each film presented here on disc for the very first time.
The profits from each REVIVER release go directly to help fund the operations and upkeep of the Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive. That means that by purchasing this Blu-Ray, you are helping us pay for archival film cans, colder and drier storage, and nurturing our archive's mission to continue the hunt for lost films. Thank you for your support.
directed by: N/A
starring: N/A
1958-1990 / 244 min (combined) / 1.33:1 / 3333333 Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.702857 / 5 from 175 reviews.
Reviver 3 is a limited edition Blu-ray release featuring a collection of lost short films from the Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive. Customers have mixed opinions about the film, but many are excited about the release and the opportunity to support film preservation efforts.
Review topics: [packaging, quality, sound, set, looks, style, material, film, value, shorts, release, collection, reviver, series, selection, restoration, edition, oddity, entry, commentary, idea, treatment, volume, line, presentation, fun, bag, title, format, puppets].
"Some shorts will fuck with your head, some are sweet and beautiful, some will resonate well past the first viewing. Some will disgust you, and some will make you laugh. A real rollercoaster! Go in blind and be pleasantly surprised. Highly recommended, as with all the Reviver sub-label. Fully committed to every release! :)"
"Releasing lost films is already a great idea for a sub-label, but what if said sub-label released lost short films? This is what you get with Reviver 3, a very great and (sometimes) batshit insane shorts program. Please do more stuff like this, Reviver! (I also got the holographic artwork for this release, which I consider to be a huge win. )"
"Reviver 2 and 3 are great, reviver 1 not so much. This one’s a big collection of weird and wonderful short films. Lots of experimental stuff, stop-motion, odd curios, and some freaky dicky stuff. Keep it up reviver"
"I like the Reviver concept and film preservation efforts, but 23 of the 24 short films on this were incredibly boring. Only the last one had some merit as an ultra low budget scifi short, but if watching 25 minutes of bad puppets talk about cleaning your teeth in a film aimed at 5 year olds is your thing, after a strip show, then enjoy I guess"
"Reviver is quickly my favorite line of releases from any label, just cause my personal taste is weirdness and very off the cuff films. The picture quality is the best it can be given the nature of the series, and it adds to its charm. Shipping for this is and always a breeze and I have never had a bad instance from VS."
"Really pleased with this Vinegar Syndrome release. The quality is excellent and it’s another welcome addition to my collection. I’m always impressed by the selection of films they bring to Blu-ray, especially the more unusual titles. Customer service has been fantastic as well. I haven’t watched everything I’ve bought yet because I seem to keep buying more releases than I have time to watch, but I’m very happy to have this one in the collection!"
"Reviver 3 is a mixed bag of over 20 shorts, running the gamut of industrial film, documentary, educational, experimental and just plain wacky. You’ll see a yeti touring historical sites of Philly, toy frogs in various love-making positions, an early “Troma” home movie and cats “dancing” with string. There’s even a John Carpenter-esque sci-fi (mainly because of the electronic score) that has some impressive special effects. While not all of it is successful, it’s certainly worthwhile enough. Again, the standout piece is Oscar Becher explaining the different film formats and what was preserved."
"This Reviver series has been a nice surprise. Another great volume and collection of shorts. They can be hit or miss, but another great collection"
"I was fortunate enough to receive a holographic variant. This was a good collection of shorts, some stronger than others. I'm always a fan of anything involving film restoration, so I'm especially happy to have this sub-label in the collection."
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