At the height of Star Wars-mania, Roger Corman was primed to cash in on the sci-fi fanatics ready to pay for anything with robots, lasers and hot intergalactic action. StarCrash provides all that excitement in the form of British pin-up queen Caroline Munro and the hunkiness of David Hasselhoff. The movie will receive the deluxe home video treatment as part of the Roger Corman’s Cult Classics series on DVD and Blu-ray on Sept. 14. Here’s the press release from:
STARCRASH
Starring Caroline Munro, David Hasselhoff, Christopher Plummer, Joe Spinell and Marjoe Gortner
2-DISC SPECIAL-EDITION BLU-RAY™ and DVD
Digitally Remastered and Presented in Widescreen for the First Time with a Galaxy’s Worth of Special Features!
Crashing Home Entertainment Shelves Nationwide September 14, 2010 From Shout! Factory
One of the most eagerly awaited inter-galactic science-fiction adventures, released by Roger Corman’s New World Pictures, will finally be made available for the first time to the home entertainment shelves as StarCrash, directed by Luigi Cozzi, will debut September 14, 2010 on 2-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray and DVD from Shout! Factory, in association with New Horizons Picture Corporation. An adventure like no other, the StarCrash 2-Disc Special Edition contains anamorphic widescreen presentation of the movie with DTS HD 5.1 surround sound (Blu-ray), a reversible cover featuring vintage art for original movie posters and a payload of bonus content including all-new interviews and commentaries with cast and crew, rare behind-the-scenes footage and much more! A must-have for loyal fans of Roger Corman and Luigi Cozzi, science fiction enthusiasts and collectors, StarCrash 2-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray and DVD mark the latest installments from the popular ROGER CORMAN’S CULT CLASSICS home entertainment series from Shout! Factory. Each Special Edition Blu-ray and DVD is sold separately. Blu-ray is priced to own at $26.97; and DVD is available at $19.93.
Produced in Italy in the wake of Star Wars‘ phenomenal success, StarCrash (also known as The Adventures of Stella Star in overseas territories) became an international blockbuster in its own right. This 1979 film became one of New World Pictures’ biggest box-office hits. Critics might have laughed, by so did audiences, who grooved to its campy humor, wildly imaginative special effects (some of them quite good!) and non-stop adventure. Where Star Wars dared not go, StarCrash went — at warp speed!
The lasting peace of the galaxy is threatened by the diabolical and relentless Count Zarth Arn (cult icon Joe Spinell, Rocky, The Godfather and The Godfather – Part II), who is determined to take the universe for himself and make each planet his plaything, each inhabitant his slave. There is no question that the Count is evil, given his propensity for cackling at every opportunity.
Can anyone save the universe from this megalomaniacal madman? Indeed there is, and she’s quite a beauty.
Brave, bikini-clad star warrior Stella Star (Caroline Munro, The Spy Who Loved Me, At the Earth’s Core) and her co-pilot Akton (child evangelist-turned-actor Marjoe Gortner, Food of the Gods, Mausoleum) are pressed into service to thwart the evil Zarth Arn’s plot. If they succeed, galactic peace will be achieved. If they fail, the universe will fall into decay and destruction at the hands of its sadistic new overlord.
Have no fear, because Stella Star is here!
The film’s zesty, star-studded cast also includes People’s Choice Award winner David Hasselhoff (Knight Rider, Baywatch) in one of his first big-screen roles, noted screen tough guy Robert Tessier (The Longest Yard, The Cannonball Run) and legendary two-time Emmy® and Tony® Award winner, and Academy Award® nominee Christopher Plummer (The Last Station, Murder by Decree, The Sound of Music) as The Emperor.
StarCrash was written and directed by fan favorite Luigi Cozzi (AKA Lewis Coates), whose other cult masterworks include Alien Contamination (an “homage” to Alien) and the unforgettable Lou Ferrigno vehicle Hercules (an “homage” to Conan the Barbarian). The film also boasts a rousing score by five-time Academy Award® winner John Barry (Dances With Wolves, Out of Africa, 10 James Bond films).
Alas, StarCrash would prove to be the only big-screen Stella Star adventure … but as its worldwide legion of fans will attest, it was one to remember!
STARCRASH 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY and DVD BONUS CONTENT
New Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer (1.85:1) and DTS HD 5.1 Surround Sound (Blu-ray), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (DVD)
Disc One:
· Interview with writer/director Luigi Cozzi
· StarCrash: the music of John Barry, a detailed analysis of the score by Mars of Deadhouse Music
· 2 feature-length commentaries by StarCrash historian Stephen Romano:
Commentary 1: the history of StarCrash, the making of the film and its importance in 1970s fantastic cinema.
Commentary 2: StarCrash scene-by-scene: production trivia, anecdotes and critical analysis.
· Behind-the-scenes image gallery, featuring storyboards, art, and rare, never-before-seen photos!
· Promotional art gallery, featuring photos, posters, lobby cards and early poster designs by Drew Struzan
· Fan art gallery, featuring an exclusive look at the all-new, sexy Stella Star art from fantasy illustrator Robin Greenville Evans
· Theatrical trailer with commentary by Eli Roth from Trailersfromhell.com and an all-new exclusive trailer commentary by filmmaker/editor Joe Dante!
· TV spots and radio Spots
DISC TWO
· Interview with actress Caroline Munro (60 min.)
· 17 Deleted and alternate scenes
· The complete, original StarCrash screenplay, illustrated with original storyboards and early, full-color concept art
· Exclusive 20-minute behind-the-scenes footage reel, with commentary
· The making of the special effects of StarCrash by Armando Valcauda with exclusive, never-before-seen special-effects footage
Shout! Factory will continue to present ROGER CORMAN’S CULT CLASSICS home entertainment releases on a monthly basis. Upcoming highlights include The Slumber Party Massacre collection, The Evil, Twice Dead, The Warrior and The Sorceress, Barbarian Queen, Not of This Earth, Terror Within, Streets, Angel in Red, Lady in Red, Crazy Mama, Big Bad Mama, among others.
Independent filmmaker-producer Roger Corman’s storied career ranks as one of Hollywood’s most amazing success stories. Having produced more than 350 films and directed 50 others, his influence on American film goes far beyond his own energetic, creative low-budget movies. He is arguably one of Hollywood’s most gifted and masterful filmmakers. In 2009 he was the recipient of an honorary Academy Award for his contribution to the medium of film.
Noted for his keen ability to spot young talent, Corman’s most lasting legacy will undoubtedly be the legion of producers, directors, writers and actors he has fostered, among them: Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Ron Howard, Peter Fonda, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd, Diane Ladd, Tommy Lee Jones, William Shatner, Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Talia Shire, Charles Bronson, Joe Dante, Carl Franklin, Jonathan Kaplan, Bill Paxton, Dennis Hopper, Curtis Hanson, Peter Bogdanovich, John Sayles, David Carradine and Sally Kirkland.
