This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Adam Maida) is limited to 3,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Welcome Vinegar Syndrome Labs (VSL) to the VS Sub-Label family! As with each of our sub-labels we are hoping to expand and defy expectations with the diversity of films we restore and release. As the name implies, VSL will serve as a kind of testing area for releasing genres and eras of film that one might not immediately expect to come from VS. The ultimate objective of VSL will be to see if these types of films will find an audience, and if so, pursue and release more of them…and even if not, still serve as a means of restoring more of the weird, rare, and unusual movies you might not expect from Vinegar Syndrome.
Seeking a respite from her deteriorating marriage, Anna is vacationing on the English Channel Island of Jersey when, whilst walking along the shoreline one wintry afternoon, she encounters a mysterious and brooding younger man, Hugh. The pair quickly form an intense bond and embark upon a passionate and all-consuming love affair, but their romance is cut short when Hugh suddenly and unexpectedly drops dead whilst on a getaway to Scotland, leaving Anna utterly devastated. However, that very night, a shadowy figure appears at the door of their holiday cottage - Hugh has miraculously returned to the land of the living, or so it at first seems…
Adapted for the screen by Gordon Honeycombe from his own 1969 novel (which itself takes its cue from the classic horror short story “The Monkey’s Paw”), Fred Burnley’s NEITHER THE SEA NOR THE SAND is a haunting slice of British Gothic boasting standout performances from three-time Emmy Award-winner Susan Hampshire (Malpertuis) and Frank Finlay (Lifeforce), alongside a memorably chilling turn from then-newcomer Michael Petrovitch (Turkey Shoot). Released in the US under the alternate title of The Exorcism of Hugh, NEITHER THE SEA NOR THE SAND is brought back to startling life by Vinegar Syndrome for its world Blu-ray debut, newly restored in 2K from 35mm vault elements and supplemented by an array of brand new bonus features.
directed by: Fred Burnley
starring: Susan Hampshire, Frank Finlay, Michael Petrovitch, Jack Lambert, Michael Craze, Anthony Booth, Betty Duncan, David Garth
1972 / 96 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.383333 / 5 from 120 reviews.
This limited edition Blu-ray of 'Neither the Sea Nor the Sand' offers a dreamy, atmospheric experience with a creepy essence of the British Channel Islands. The film's transfer and atmosphere are highly praised, while the story and release are well-received. However, some find the story sad and odd.
Review topics: [colors, quality, looks, picture, packaging, upgrade, sound, set, buy, film, movie, burn, story, romance, slipcover, release, artwork, transfer, restoration, atmosphere, extras, watch, acting, vibe, thriller, presentation, title, characters, enjoyed, locations].
"Another great find by VS. Similar to Bob Clark's DEAD OF NIGHT (which was released two years later) or PET SEMATARY this British chiller from 1972 could be called a "tragic Zombie picture". The performances are excellent and sea side setting and music create a tense atmopshere. Extras include a commentary with the great Jonathan Rigby and 5 new short Interviews with crew people. What more could you ask for? The new artwork is simplisic, but fits the tone of the movie."
"A beautiful, haunting piece of British gothic horror. The atmosphere of the costal setting is unique. And the restoration handles the scenery and moody lighting perfectly"
"TL: DR: This would have been equally as effective if it were a coffee table book as it is as a film. And I would buy that coffee table book, too. I went into this completely cold, which I recommend you do as well - I only glanced at the screenshots, liked the artwork & title & I have a general affection for British cinema of the 1970s. It's a weird one, but a worthwhile one. There's really only one big spoiler, so save the reveal for the viewing. However: You must had an appreciation for a . . . deliberate . . . pacing. This one unfolds in its own time, and that time is not the 21st century doomscrolling time. It's a sloooow one. That said, if you can appreciate that, it's all vibes and atmosphere and suddenly supernatural in a very compelling way. Beautiful to look at, and it's impressive that this transfer came from 35mm vault elements. Lovely picture overall, if a bit soft, but that's to be expected. Recommended for those with long attention spans & a lively inner dialogue."
"Glad that VS releases films like this. Lots of atmosphere and nicely shot and acted. Great slipcover and as always the VS restoration is great."
"If you're into weird UK folk horror, buy this."
"Something about this British drama is very entrancing. It may be the seaside setting that lends a soothing yet haunting quality to the film. It's a fairly slow burn but don't let that deter you from giving it a shot. A/V quality is top notch and the overall package is great."
"As a fan of British post-Hammer horror, this windswept, Jersey-set ’70s gothic love story was quite a treat. The horror doesn’t fully surface until the third act, choosing instead to linger just outside the periphery. Star Frank Finlay does most of the heavy lifting. With a face–like a weathered Alain Delon–his subtle gear shifts as the character transforms are fascinating to watch. The slipcover art is austere, nautically themed, and absolutely gorgeous. A solid slate of cast and crew interviews, along with an audio commentary, rounds out the extras. The absence of a booklet is a slight disappointment, as this is an underseen gem that cries out for deeper analysis. Still, if you’re a fan of minimalist, windswept coastal horror reminiscent of 2022’s Enys Men, look no further."
"Neither the Sea nor the Sand (1972) is a quiet, melancholic blend of romance and supernatural horror that follows a woman whose love affair takes a haunting turn when death refuses to end it. The story centers on Anna, who retreats to the Isle of Jersey after a failed marriage and begins an intense relationship with Hugh, a lighthouse keeper. When Hugh dies suddenly, he inexplicably returns—unchanged in appearance but marked by eerie, unsettling differences. This premise gives the film its distinctive mood: a love story slowly overtaken by dread."
"I was interested in this because of the filming locations. Although there were elements I enjoyed, the film doesn't have much in the way of plot and not a lot really happens. It's not without some charm, but ultimately not enough happens. For once the artwork on the slipcover is a real let down. The restoration of the film itself seems very good, having never seen it before I can't say for certain but VS usually do a great job. Not really sure who to recommend this to, but I'm sure some out there probably like it."
"Tragic romance that is certainly unsettling. Haunting atmosphere that could only be captured on a moody Channel Island."
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