PIECES and THE BEYOND Due Out 10/28

Somehow I missed this news, but I'm tickled to see that the long-awaited special edition of the 80s giallo splatter masterwork PIECES is finally coming to DVD. There has been a cheapie disc floating around for years, but it does my heart good to see this outrageous slice of 80s gore getting its due with a 2-disc deluxe edition.

On the same day, Lucio Fulci's THE BEYOND – easily one of my Top 10 Eurotrash Films – is getting a deluxe reissue, too. In short supply since 2004's limited edition tin, THE BEYOND is also getting the treatment it deserves and will be promoted with an upcoming convention appearance from frequent Fulci star Catherine MacColl.

Check out the details...

With the impending October 28th DVD re-release of Lucio Fulci’s 1981 masterwork THE BEYOND, Grindhouse Releasing and Paura Productions decided what better way to promote this landmark in EuroHorror cinema than invite the film’s heroine – the stunning Catriona MacColl – to meet the hordes of rabid Fulci fanatics at one of the largest cult conventions in America. The Chiller Theatre Expo in Parsippany, New Jersey (www.chillertheatre.com) will host the British rose October 24-26, the weekend prior to the DVD’s street date (a limited number of advance copies will be available at MacColl’s table). Kevin Clement, the show’s Producer, states, “I’m delighted that the lovely Catriona will be making her first East Coast convention appearance at Chiller this October! Our film savvy fans will surely enjoy this rare appearance and will eat her up like a Fulci zombie!”

Since director Fulci’s passing in 1996, MacColl has made a handful of festival appearances overseas, and Chiller will be but her second ever in the States. “Catriona likes to keep a low profile,” reveals MacColl’s manager and Paura Productions founder Mike Baronas (www.pauraprod.com). “She’s one of the sweetest people you’re likely to ever meet and I’m glad she has embraced the continuing popularity that these films she made with Lucio have to this day.”

Along with THE BEYOND, MacColl also starred in the Fulci’s visionary, gore-soaked classics CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (1980) and THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY (1981). She also took part in the Paura Productions debut release PAURA: LUCIO FULCI REMEMBERED ~ VOLUME 1 along with nearly 90 other cast, crewmembers and peers for a 3½ hour memorial DVD compilation to the late director. It was this title that prompted Bob Murawski of Grindhouse (www.grindhousereleasing.com) to contact Baronas about assisting with the new BEYOND and license some of his footage. “Mike's tribute DVD is a treasure trove of priceless interviews,” affirms Murawski. “A newly assembled compilation of Mike's interviews with eleven of Fulci's closest collaborators on THE BEYOND has truly elevated our re-release of the DVD by providing a highly emotional insight into the late, great maestro.” Baronas returns the appreciation in stating, “I was honored to once again work with Bob and Grindhouse as they are one of the few DVD outfits remaining that still care about delivering quality with quantity and truly love the films they release.”

Known for its exhaustive devotion and historical preservation of genre classics such as CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, I DRINK YOUR BLOOD, CANNIBAL FEROX and PIECES (also released on Oct. 28 and playing theatrically this month), Grindhouse have pulled out all the stops once again for THE BEYOND (which hasn’t been available since 2004) featuring a hi-def anamorphic widescreen transfer of the uncut movie with a breathtaking Dolby Digital 5.1 sound re-mix by Academy Award nominee Paul Ottosson, plus the following supplements:

• Audio commentary by stars Catriona MacColl and the late, great David Warbeck
• Introduction by MacColl
• On-set interview with Lucio Fulci
• 11 cast and crew memorial interviews
• Optional Italian language soundtrack and original mono audio
• Lost German pre-credit sequence in full color
• Necrophagia music video by Jim VanBebber
• Still and poster art gallery
• Original theatrical trailers
• Liner notes by legendary horror journalist Chas. Balun