PIECES and other Cult Classics heading to Blu-ray Courtesy of Arrow Video

Arrow Video may not be a company that we hear a lot of living in the US, but this European distribution company has seen a steady rise to fame due to its consistent unveiling of quality products.  Specializing in cult or European horror films, Arrow Video is the reason why such films as Mario Bava’s A Bay of Blood, George Romero’s Martin, and Lucio Fulci’s The Beyond, have all been released on Blu-ray.  Yet, these films are just a handful of the dozens of films that have seen the Blu-ray light of day.  Typically you would have to own an all-region Blu-ray player to enjoy discs from across the pond.  Arrow has fixed this though by releasing most of their films region free!  Now the company is ready to remind you that “you don’t need to go to Texas for a chainsaw massacre.”  The 1982 splatter film Pieces is heading to Blu-ray.  Keep reading to find out what will be featured on the disc as well as other info regarding upcoming Arrow releases.

If you are still reading this I can only assume you equally enjoy the sleazy goodness of Pieces.  Whether it is the gratuitous nudity, the ample gore, the so bad it’s good dialogue, or if you just enjoy a girl over-acting and screaming “BASTARD!” about five times in a row, everyone has a reason that they love this 1982 cult classic.  Thankfully Arrow Video does as well and that is why they are treating us to an amazing package with extras and goodies.

Pieces will be released September 5, 2011

THIS EDITION CONTAINS
– Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork
– Double-sided fold-out artwork poster
– Collector’s booklet featuring brand new writing on the film by Stephen Thrower, author of ‘Nightmare USA’.

DVD CONTAINS:
– Introduction by star Jack Taylor
– Pieces of Jack: An Actors Experience of Spanish Splatter Actor Jack Taylor recollects his experiences of performing in Pieces
– Pieces of Deconstruction: Looking Back at a Grindhouse Gorefest Hostel producer Scott Spiegel, filmmaker Howard S. Berger, critic Michael Gingold and horror historian Santos Ellin Jr. reflect on the lasting legacy, and lacerations, of Pieces!
– Audio Commentary with Fangoria magazine’s Tony Timpone, sharing first hand recollections of the golden age of slasher cinema, moderated by Calum Waddell
-Artwork by Jeff Zornow Must be Destroyed
-In original 1.66:1 (16×9) anamorphic aspect ratio
-Optional English and Spanish original mono audio
-82 mins approx
-Region 0 PAL
-RRP 15.99

(for those who might be confused on the “region”, “Region 0” is an all-region format)

As you can see from the amazing cover art, Arrow hires out custom made artwork to be designed by some of the top artists working in illustration today.  Just another bonus to an already amazing package.  Next up, we have Dario Argento’s Cat O’ Nine Tails.  Though Argento is better known for some of his later films,  this early 1971 film in the Italian director’s career features an iconic performance by Karl Malden as a blind journalist.  Check out the cover art and features below.

Cat O’ Nine Tails will be released September 26, 2011

THIS AMAZING EDITION CONTAINS:
– 4 Sleeve art options with original and newly commissioned artwork
– Two-sided fold-out poster
– Exclusive collector’s booklet featuring brand new writing by Alan Jones, author of ‘Profondo Argento’

BLU-RAY DISC CONTAINS:
– Brand new High Definition transfer of the film (1080p)
– Optional English and Italian Mono Audio

SPECIAL FEATURES:
– Dario Argento Remembers Cat O’ Nine Tails (1080p)
– Cat O’ Nine Tails in Reflection, an interview with long-time Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi (1080p)
– Sergio Martino: The Art and Arteries of the Giallo (1080p)
– Original Trailer
– Artwork by Rick Melton
– In original 2.35:1 (16×9) aspect ratio
– Optional English and Italian Language with English subtitles for Italian language
– 111 mins approx
– BD50 Region ABC
– RRP 24.99

As you can see from the exceptional effort they put towards their releases, Arrow knows what fans of genre films want.  Being fans themselves, they have packed their discs to the gills with supplemental extras that we all love.  Though, their discs maybe priced a little higher than what some of us may be used to, I think we can all agree that for releases of cult classic films like these . . . it is clearly worth it.

Click HERE to head-on over to their site to pre-order these discs.