Three films from the late, legendary horror director, George A. Romero, showing that although he might have defined zombie cinema, it didn’t define him. There’s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch and The Crazies, made between Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, showcase the extraordinary versatility and dynamism of this irreplaceable American auteur.

Director
George A. Romero (Dawn of the Dead, Martin)

Cast
Lynn Lowry (Shivers, Cat People)
Richard Liberty (The Mean Season, Day of the Dead)
Will MacMillan (The Enforcer, Used Cars)
Ann Muffly (Knightriders, Creepshow)
Raymond Laine (The Booby Hatch, Sudden Death)
Bill Hinzman (Night of the Living Dead, FleshEater)

When George A. Romero passed away in July, the film world didn’t just lose its beloved ‘King of Zombies’, but also a groundbreaking and fearless innovator who inspired not only generations of genre directors, but also experimental and guerilla filmmakers for whom he laid down the template.

The three films collected in this box set - two early Seventies ‘lost films’ and a classic plague panic thriller - show there’s more to the legendary director than simply gut-munching ghouls. The comedy romance There’s Always Vanilla, psychological thriller Season of the Witch, and infection horror The Crazies - all filmed in and around Pittsburgh - serve to display the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre; that said, The Crazies is one of his strongest horror offerings, with memorable performances from Lynn Lowry and Richard Liberty.

Romero managed to inject his films with subtle social allegories, nuanced examinations of the human condition, and just the right amount of black humour, so that they were immediately recognisable as his and his alone. The box set showcases the director feeling his way towards the mainstream and showing a formidable assurance in three very distinct genres.

This fantastic box set includes brand new restorations of the three films, a lavish 60-page booklet featuring new writing on this fascinating chapter of Romero’s career, a wealth of extras including interviews, featurettes and behind the scenes documentaries, reversible sleeves for all three films featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork, and a beautifully designed and striking slipcase featuring an iconic image of the man himself.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations
Original Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-rays)
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Reversible sleeve for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
Limited edition 60-page booklet featuring new writing on the films by Kat Ellinger, Kier-La Janisse and Heather Drain

THERE’S ALWAYS VANILLA

Brand new 2K restoration from original film elements
Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford
Affair of the Heart: The Making of There’s Always Vanilla – brand new documentary featuring interviews with producers John Russo and Russell Streiner, stars Judith Streiner and Richard Ricci, and sound recordist Gary Streiner
Digging Up the Dead – The Lost Films of George A. Romero – archive interview with Romero discussing his early films There’s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch
Location Gallery with audio commentary by Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz
Memorabilia Gallery
Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

SEASON OF THE WITCH

Brand new 4K restoration of the original theatrical version from the camera negative [90 mins]
Alternate extended version [104 mins]
Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford
When Romero Met Del Toro – filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro in conversation with George Romero
The Secret Life of Jack’s Wife – archive interview with actress Jan White
Alternate Opening Titles
Location Gallery with audio commentary by Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz
Memorabilia Gallery
Trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

THE CRAZIES

Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative
Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford
Romero Was Here: Locating The Crazies – Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz takes us on a guided tour of Evans City, PA and the locations used in The Crazies
Crazy for Lynn Lowry – cult star Lynn Lowry discusses her early career including her role in The Crazies
Q&A with Lynn Lowry filmed at the 2016 Abertoir Film Festival
Audio interview with producer Lee Hessel
Behind-the-scenes footage with optional commentary by Lawrence DeVincentz
Alternate Opening Titles
Image Galleries
Trailers & TV Spots
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

DETAILS

RRP: £59.99
Region: A+ B/ 1+2
Rating: 18
Genre: Horror
Duration: TBC
Language: English
Subtitles: English SDH
Aspect Ratio: TBC
Audio: TBC
Colour
Discs: 6

Director: George A. Romero
Cast: Lane Carroll, Will MacMillan, Harold Wayne Jones

Dual Format
UK Cat No: FCD1590
UK Barcode: 5027035017594