Speaking of 4K Ultra HD, here’s another Warner Bros. catalog title that I’ve been quietly advocating for, and it’s one that fans of swords and sorcery films will appreciate. I’m pleased to report that John Boorman’s Excalibur (1981) is coming to 4K Ultra HD in the months ahead! Behold the Sword of Power! To be clear, this should in no way be considered an official announcement, but my industry sources assure me that it’s coming to the format sooner than later. So watch for further details in the months ahead.
In terms of actual announcements today, Ignite Films and Eagle Rock Pictures are working on a new 4K restoration of Brian Yuzna’s Bride of Re-Animator (1990) for release in early 2026. The companies have just released the original Re-Animator (1985) on 4K Ultra HD in honor of the film’s 40th anniversary. It’s available in four different editions and you can purchase them here on the Ignite Films website.
StudioCanal is releasing a new Ran: 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition on July 21, featuring Akira Kurosawa’s classic film in a 3-disc set that includes the restored film in 4K UHD and Blu-ray, as well as a Bonus Blu-ray that includes the following special features: The A.K. documentary, Akira Kurosawa: The Epic and The Intimate, an interview with director of photography Shoji Ueda, The Art of the Samurai, an interview with Michael Brooke, an interview with Mieko Harada, a Stage Appearance at Tokyo Film Festival 2015, Akira Kurosawa by Catherine Cadou, and The Samurai. Plus you’ll get 2 posters and a 100-page booklet, in packaging illustrated by artist Sterling Hundley. Here’s what that looks like (click on the image to pre-order the title on Amazon UK)...
Also, the newly-reconstituted Anchor Bay Entertainment has announced the Blu-ray and DVD release of Amanda and Michael Drexton’s Sour Party (2023) on 6/10.
Via Vision and Imprint have just revealed their latest Imprint Television Blu-ray release, due on July 30th, which is Bewitched: Seasons 5 & 6 (1986-70). The 8-disc set will include a 146-page hardcover booklet in hardbox packaging, featuring all 60 episodes of the series restored by Sony from the original elements. The series will be presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio with LPCM 2.0 mono audio. Plus there will be two new episode audio commentaries with Herbie J. Pilato, Steve Olim, Chris York, and John Whitaker, one on Mirror, Mirror on the Wall and the other on Samantha and the Beanstalk. You can pre-order that here.
And finally today, our friends at Turbine Medien GmbH in Germany have just announced another batch of all-region Blu-ray 3D titles, including Fast & Furious 9, Despicable Me 4, and Kung Fu Panda 4! All three are due to be released on 5/27. The company has also just released Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s Abigail (2024) in 4K Ultra HD. (Note that it’s coming in 4K here in the States on 7/8 from Shout! & Scream Factory.) You’ll find those details on all of these here.
That’s all for now. Have a great weekend!
- Bill Hunt
(You can follow Bill on social media on Twitter, BlueSky, and Facebook, and also here on Patreon)