By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Two all-time greats from Spain’s genre history are finally getting their due on U.S. disc.
Severin Films has revealed the complete specs for its Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray combo releases of Alex de la Iglesia’s savagely satirical 1995 religious horror film THE DAY OF THE BEAST (pictured) and his over-the-top 1997 thriller PERDITA DURANGO, both streeting March 30, 2021. Appropriately enough, DAY is set in the days leading up to Christmas Eve, as a priest (Alex Angulo) turns sinner so he can confront what he is certain is the impending birth of the Antichrist, teaming with a heavy metal fan (Santiago Segura) and TV occult-show host (Armando De Razza). The movie will be presented in 1.85:1 widescreen with Spanish 5.1 Surround and 2.0 stereo soundtracks (English subtitled) and 2.0 stereo English audio. Special features are:
- HEIRS OF THE BEAST: Feature-length documentary by Diego López and David Pizarro on the making and cultural impact of DAY OF THE BEAST
- “Antichrist Superstar”: Interview with director Alex de la Iglesia
- “The Man Who Saved the World”: Interview with actor Armando De Razza
- “Beauty and the Beast”: Interview with actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta
- “Shooting the Beast”: Interview with director of photography Flavio Martínez Labiano
- MIRINDAS ASESINAS: 1990 short film by Alex de la Iglesia
- Trailers
Previously released Stateside in significantly edited form as DANCE WITH THE DEVIL, PERDITA DURANGO is based on Barry Gifford’s prequel to WILD AT HEART and stars Rosie Perez, Javier Bardem, Harley Cross, Aimee Graham, James Gandolfini, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Demián Bichir, Segura and Don Stroud. This one will be presented on the discs in 2.35:1 widescreen with English 5.1 Surround and 2.0 stereo sound and a Spanish dub in 5.1 Surround with English subtitles. Bonus features are:
- “On The Border”: Interview with director Alex de la Iglesia
- “Writing PERDITA DURANGO”: Interview with writer Barry Gifford
- “Dancing With the Devil”: An appraisal by film scholar Dr. Rebekah McKendry
- “NARCOSATANICOS: PERDITA DURANGO and the Matamoros Cult”: Interview with Abraham Castillo Flores and CAULDRON OF BLOOD author Jim Schutze
- “Canciones de Amor Maldito: The Music of PERDITA DURANGO”: Interview with composer Simon Boswell
- “Shooting PERDITA DURANGO”: Interview with director of photography Flavio Labiano
- Trailer
Retail prices are $49.95 each, and they can be pre-ordered for $35 each at Severin’s webstore, which is also offering both films on DVD and bundles containing assorted DAY and DURANGO merch.
