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This listing is for the standard edition 4k UDH/Blu-ray Combo. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Marko Manev) was limited to 1,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
Called “one of the best streaming services in the world” by RogerEbert.com and described by Thrillist as “pretty much everything a horror fan could want,” Shudder is a premium streaming service offering the best selection of horror, thriller and supernatural movies, series and specials.
This epic fantasy tale, about the history of a land that never was, begins when an ambitious young man steals forbidden knowledge from a sacred plant. He falls to its darker temptations and in so doing, unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. As his power grows over the years, it falls to people of different ilk and culture to attempt to stop him. Among those who stand against him are a daring tomb-robber, star-crossed lovers, a maniacal necromancer, winged assassins, and an undying guardian.
directed by: Philip Gelatt, Morgan Galen King
starring: Richard E. Grant, Lucy Lawless, Patton Oswalt
2021 / 94 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.85 / 5 from 40 reviews.
The Spine of Night is a highly acclaimed epic fantasy film, praised for its rich storytelling and diverse characters. The standard edition includes a 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo with new 4K UHD encode, Dolby Vision, and English SDH subtitles. The limited edition slipcover is sold out.
Review topics: ["looks","style","packaging","presentation","metal","movie","release","animation","film","exception","art","artwork","story","storytelling"].
"The artwork on this release and the film is absolutely stunning. It is such a cool, badass animated film, that uses old rotoscoping animation techniques you would see a lot of in the 80s action cartoons. Such a badass presentation for a really cool film. I had to order it when I saw the numbers tick down."
"12 year-old me and present day me agree: The Spine of Night is a satisfying nerdgasm of an animated fantasy feature. Fans of Fire and Ice, Heavy Metal, Ralph Bakshi’ Wizards rejoice! It's refreshing to see old school rotoscoping in an increasingly digital age. It's a true labor of love of two genre fans and their D&D playing, cosplaying circle, seven years in the making. These scrappy independent artists even manage to attract the interest of Lucy Lawless, Patton Oswald, Joe Manganiello, and Richard E. Grant. Shudder’s UHD presentation does not disappoint. There’s depth, clarity, and the colors sing. They didn't skimp on the extras this time: 3 commentaries, a making of doc, and some short films leave the viewer with plenty to feast on. The slipcover art is sick but sold out, unfortunately. I believe there's still some standard copies left so act fast."
"I absolutely loved this one from start to finish! While cautiously optimistic, I went in to this movie fully prepared to be underwhelmed by cookie-cutter animation and a predictable plot, but The Spine of Night actually turned out to be a beautifully put together film in every aspect. It certainly doesn't hold back in the depiction of graphic horror and violence, yet the storytelling is mature and sophisticated. We totally need more movies like this."
"“The Spine of Night” is a brutal, visually striking throwback to 1970s–80s rotoscope fantasy—ambitious, atmospheric, and overflowing with cosmic violence and dark‑mythic world‑building. Drawing heavily on the aesthetics of Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta, the film uses rotoscoped animation to tell a centuries‑spanning tale about a mystical blue flower whose power corrupts tyrants and empowers rebels. Its retro animation style, while intentionally crude, gives the film a distinctive, nostalgic texture that sets it apart from modern digital fantasy."
"This is the best Shudder release on the VS website so far. Amazing horror animation and well worth the purchase. The Shudder line has been pretty solid and this release adds to the amazing selections they have to offer. Packaging and presentation are excellent!"
"This release was one I was so damn excited about, it's one of my favorite movies from 2021. The storytelling, animation, score and voice work just in mind blowing!"
"A beautiful piece of animation in an even more beautiful package. The style of this movie will immediately remind you of Heavy Metal, and thought there are individual vignettes, this is ultimately one story linked together by the last breath of the gods, the Bloom. Awesome, funky, violent, psychedelic fantasy. Check it out!"
"A really awesome release that everyone should own!! If you love 80’s Bakshi/fantasy flicks, this one will be right up your alley 👍🏼"
"I already owned this, but once I saw the VS Partner Label release I had to get it. Incredible artwork for an incredible movie. The presentation is awesome and the animation pops in this 4K restoration."
"The Spine of Night (2021), directed by Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King, is a vividly brutal, rotoscoped fantasy that feels like a relic from an alternate 1980s where adult animation leaned fully into gore, mythology, and cosmic dread. Its anthology-like structure weaves together stories of warriors, sorcerers, and tyrants, all orbiting a mysterious, corrupting power, giving the film a sprawling, almost mythic scope. The animation style—intentionally rough and psychedelic—won’t appeal to everyone, but it lends the film a hallucinatory texture that suits its dark, violent world. While the narrative can feel fragmented and occasionally uneven, its commitment to atmosphere, visceral imagery, and unapologetic weirdness makes it stand out in a landscape of safer animated fare. It’s a niche experience, but for viewers drawn to heavy metal–inspired fantasy and experimental animation, it’s a striking and memorable ride."
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