BY DARREN ALLISON
Hellraiser:
The Scarlet Box Limited Edition Trilogy 1987-1992 Directed by Clive Barker,
Tony Randel, Anthony Hickox, Starring Doug Bradley, Andy Robinson, Ashley
Laurence, Claire Higgins, Kenneth Cranham, Terry Farrell, Kevin Bernhardt.
Arrow Blu-ray 4 Disc, Released on 26th October 2015.
Stephen
King was once quoted as saying: “I have seen the future of horror… his name is
Clive Barker.†The future became a reality when, in 1987, Barker unleashed his
directorial debut Hellraiser, launching a hit franchise and creating an instant
horror icon in the formidable figure of Pinhead.
Arrow’s
beautifully produced Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box, has arguably for the first
time, been afforded the prestige it fully deserves. The collection works very nicely
in deed, mainly because its focus revolves around creator Clive Barker’s
involvement in the franchise. Whilst Barker had a small interest in the fourth
instalment Hellraiser IV: Bloodline, it would be the last in which he would
have any official involvement.
Fans
of the franchise will be all too familiar with the first three movies, which
are by far the best of the series. Barker’s original Hellraiser, based on his
novella The Hellbound Heart, follows Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) as she
comes head-to-head with the Cenobites, the demonic beings from another realm
who are intent on reclaiming the soul of her deviant Uncle Frank.
Picking
up immediately after the events of the original Hellraiser, Hellbound:
Hellraiser II finds Kirsty detained at a psychiatric institute and under the
care of Phillip Channard, a doctor who abuses his position to realise his own
dark aims.
In
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, a reporter investigating a mysterious death in a
nightclub finds herself in the way of Pinhead and the Cenobites, who plan to
bring their horrifying world into our own.
It
has to be said, Arrow have really gone above and beyond with this superb set.
The films have never looked better, all three movies now benefit from a brand
new 2K restoration with Hellraiser and Hellraiser II being approved by director
of photography Robin Vidgeon. The visual presentations are as close to pristine
as you are ever likely to see. Barker’s original Hellraiser does display a
varying amount of grain (especially in some of the interior house scenes), but
the high level of fine detail and vivid colour (especially in those fleshy,
blood soaked scenes) is exceptional. The Hellraiser series of films has never
leaped out as the sharpest of films. Hellraiser in particular, has often
appeared a little diluted or desaturated, even in its theatrical presentation,
it looked rather dull upon the eye. However,
there is now a genuine freshness to the films, a new edge to them which makes
the whole viewing experience something quite different. The
audio elements are also bound to please with uncompressed PCM Stereo 2.0 and
Lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound for Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II, while
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth sounds pure and clean with a Lossless DTS-HD MA
2.0 soundscape, all of which works very adequately. Each film also boasts multiple audio commentaries which
hardened fans will recognise from the Anchor Bay 4 DVD box set released in
2004. However, Arrow’s box of goodies does secure a brand new additional audio
commentary (on Hellraiser III) and provided by writer Peter Atkins.
All
three movies are presented in their uncut versions, alongside a bonus
presentation of the unrated cut of Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth. Running some
four minutes longer than the theatrical cut, this includes bonus unrated footage
(in standard definition) which has been inserted into the 2K high definition
version of the film. It may not be ideal, but Arrow have again been up front
and honest, and assured us that the bonus footage has been ‘sourced from the
best available material.’ The material in question is actually from the video
master that was used for the U.S. panned and scanned laserdisc, therefore expect
a slight drop in quality and a change in the aspect ratio for these particular
scenes. Arrow should of course remain free of criticism for their decision to
include this, remembering that these scenes were never included or intended for
the theatrical version. Accepting it purely on the basis of a bonus feature
should leave everyone feeling satisfied, and yes, grateful for Arrow’s
foresight.
On
the subject of bonus material, Arrow’s Scarlet Box is packed and practically bursting
at the seams. One of the main bonus elements includes the comprehensive
fan-made docs, Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II.
These were previously released as an individual 3 DVD set with a mammoth
running time, (Disc 1: The Story of Hellraiser approx. 4 hours 37 minutes), (Disc
2: The Story of Hellbound approx. 3 hours 19 minutes) and (Disc 3: Bonus
Features approx. 3 hours). Arrow has (perhaps wisely) taken the opportunity to
present this fascinating documentaries as ‘brand new versions’, split into two
parts and making the whole story of these two films much more presentable and
tighter in the process. It’s a decision that arguably works to their advantage.
The original (very long) documentaries have received negative criticism in the
past, particularly for their pacing and structure. However, Arrow’s re-edits could
hardly be considered as thin and without substance with running times of 90 minutes
and 120 minutes respectively, there is still ample material here to be enjoyed
and appreciated.
Of course, these two documentaries are just the tip of the iceberg. Each of the three Hellraiser films is supported by a wealth of bonus material.
DISC 1 HELLRAISER includes two audio commentaries, one with writer and director Clive Barker and the second with Barker and actress Ashley Laurence (Kirsty Cotton). The aforementioned Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser part one (90 minutes). Being Frank, Sean Chapman on Hellraiser, is a documentary featuring actor Sean Chapman talking candidly about playing the character of Frank Cotton in Barker’s original film (27 minutes). Soundtrack Hell: The story of the abandoned Coil score is a featurette with ex band member Stephen Thrower and the early proposed film score featuring the group’s music (18 minutes). Hellraiser: Resurrection is a vintage featurette including interviews with Clive Barker, actors Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, special make-up effects artist Bob Keen and others (24 minutes). Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser is a nicely produced interview with Pinhead himself, Doug Bradley. He discusses how he got the job, where and when he originally met Clive Barker and the long sessions of make-up application (13 minutes). On top of this there is a generous helping of media related material which includes the original EPK featuring on-set interviews with cast and crew, the draft screenplays are presented as BD-ROM content, there are 3 Trailers (including the red band restricted version), 4 TV Spots and an image gallery containing some 53 pictures including the FOH set, posters, advertising and production shots in both colour and b/w.
DISC 2 HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II includes two audio commentaries, one with director Tony Randel and writer Peter Atkins and the second with Randel, Atkins and actress Ashley Laurence. Leviathan: The Story of Hellbound: Hellraiser II, the making of Hellbound, features interviews with key cast and crew members (120 minutes). Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellbound is a featurette where actor Sean Chapman talks about reprising the role of Frank Cotton in the first Hellraiser sequel (12 minutes). The surgeon scene features the home video world premiere of this legendary, never before-seen excised sequence from Hellbound. This sequence is sourced from a VHS work print and carries a copyright watermark (5 minutes). Lost in the Labyrinth is a vintage featurette including interviews with Barker, Randel, Keen, Atkins and others (17 minutes). Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellbound: Hellraiser II features more interviews with Bradley on how the sequel came about (11 minutes). There are also original on set interviews with Clive Barker (3 minutes) and cast and crew members (5 minutes) and some behind the scenes footage (2 minutes). The draft screenplay is also included as BD-ROM content. The disc features two traiers (including the red band restricted version) and 2 TV spots. A nice picture gallery is also included featuring production stills, advertising, posters and a substantial amount of storyboard material, in total there is approx. 300 images.
DISC 3 HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH includes two audio commentaries, one with director Anthony Hickox and actor Doug Bradley (Pinhead) and the second, an exclusive new commentary with writer Peter Atkins. The disc also features the alternate unrated version of Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (97 minutes). Hell on Earth: The Story of Hellraiser III is the making-of documentary featuring interviews with Atkins, Keen and actor Ken Carpenter. The significantly shorter running time is no doubt reflective of its slightly lesser appeal, but is nevertheless interesting throughout (32 minutes). Terri’s Tales is a brand new interview with actress Paula Marshall who plays Terri / Dreamer Cenobite / Skinless Sandy (15 minutes). Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth concludes Bradley’s perspective on his character of Pinhead (14 minutes). Raising Hell on Earth is an archival interview with director Anthony Hickox (14 minutes). The original EPK featuring on-set interviews with cast and crew is also included (5 mins). There is a very nice reel of never-before-seen Hellraiser III SFX dailies. Whilst this is silent footage, the content is both fascinating and gory (24 minutes). Again, the film’s popularity is reflected by the inclusion of just a single theatrical trailer. Inside the image gallery can be found a colour Hellraiser III comic book adaptation (53 pages) and a stills collection featuring 26 pictures.
And so, the good stuff doesn’t stop there, as Arrow has also included a fourth disc of bonus material. DISC 4 THE CLIVE BARKER LEGACY A LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE is led by two Clive Barker short films Salomé and The Forbidden. Salomé lasts approx. 19 minutes and can be viewed with or without an introduction (of 9 minutes). The Forbidden is a far more interesting film at approx. 40 minutes (again, with an optional intro of 10 minutes) and uses early experimental formats, some of which can be associated with techniques that Barker would later use in Hellraiser. It’s a fascinating film which does captivate the viewer, ritual dancing featuring Barker himself (with fully exposed erect penis), detailed skin flaying and any other number of graphic examples can be found in this disturbing but essential piece of work from Barker.
‘Books of blood and beyond’ (19 minutes) is a rather good little featurette which looks more closely at Barker’s literary works and his incredibly successful series of novels.
Also included is another extremely interesting and brand new documentary, Hellraiser Evolutions (48 minutes) which reflects more on the entire Hellraiser franchise and the legacy of the films in more detail, albeit for better or for worse. Hellraiser Evolutions features interviews with Scott Derrickson (director of Hellraiser: Inferno), Rick Bota (director of Hellraiser: Hellseeker, Deader and Hellworld), Stuart Gordon (director of Re-Animator and From Beyond) and many more.
The disc also includes The Hellraiser Chronicles: A Question of Faith (2005). This is a 30 minute ‘fan made’ short film, which has to said, does show its limitations. It was produced as a showcase piece in order to promote a Hellraiser television series and Inspired by the graphic novels. I’m not going to bash it, but don’t expect a fully polished piece of work. It does however, remains a firm favourite among the elite and completists of the Hellraiser community. Furthermore, it’s a really nice touch by Arrow, who have made every effort to produce something that is really worthy and with the thoughts of the fans very much in mind.
Aside from the four discs, the box also includes a highly detailed, 200-page, hardback book called Damnation games. This includes all new writing on Hellraiser and the Barker universe from Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes. The book details Barker’s early work, the genesis and production of the first three films in the Hellraiser series and much more, all illustrated with stills and rare material from the Barker archive. It is beautifully produced throughout and rounds off this unique set quite perfectly. Arrow has completed a mammoth task in collating an attractive and fully satisfying collection in their Hellraiser Scarlet Box Set. Strictly limited at just 5000 units, this set is selling fast and proving to be extremely popular. So think fast, I don’t expect this set to be around for very long.
Region: B, Rating: 18, Cat No: FCD1171, Language: English, Subtitles: English SDH, Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, Discs: 4, Colour http://www.arrowfilms.co.uk/