Horror movie weren’t the most prestigious productions at a movie studies. They were low budget and cranked out to please an audience. If any name talent was attached to them, they were either actors with issues or extended cameos for a quick paycheck. Likewise making a movie of the week in the early ’70s was admitting something had gone horribly wrong with your theatrical film career. So it was a big shock and surprise when Frankenstein: The True Story appeared on your local NBC channel in the fall of 1973 with James Mason as the lead. Director Jack Smight was a major name with films like The Illustrated Man, The Secret War of Harry Figg and Rabbit, Run. Even more exciting was one of the screenwriter was Christopher Isherwood. His novels about life in Berlin were used to create Cabaret. This wasn’t going to be a crummy flick with someone stomping around in a Boris Karloff mask. The miniseries became legendary for it’s adaptation of the original book. Now Frankenstein: The True Story is coming to Blu-ray thanks for Scream Factory. Here’s the press release from Scream Factory with all the bonus features:
SCREAM FACTORY PRESENTS
FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY
Starring James Mason, Leonard Whiting, David McCallum, Jane Seymour,
Nicola Pagett, and Michael Sarrazin
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CULT CLASSIC UNLEASHES ON BLU-RAY™
MARCH 24, 2020 FROM SCREAM FACTORY
Get ready to experience the horror and suspense of the timeless Frankenstein story. On March 24, 2020, SCREAM FACTORY™ will unleash the epic horror classic FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY on Blu-ray. Directed by Jack Smight (The Twilight Zone, Damnation Alley) and teleplay by Christopher Isherwood (A Single Man, Cabaret) and Don Bachardy, this gruesome, heart-pounding thriller features an incredible cast, including James Mason (Child’s Play, Lolita), Leonard Whiting (Romeo & Juliet), David McCallum (NCIS, The Man from U.N.C.L.E), Jane Seymour (Live and Let Die, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman), Nicola Pagett (An Awfully Big Adventure), Michael Sarrazin (The Sweet Ride, The Outer Limits), and Agnes Moorehead (Bewitched, Citizen Kane). FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY retells Mary Shelley’s unforgettable story. Victor Frankenstein’s medical experiments result in the shocking discovery that he can revive the dead. But when the creature he brings forth becomes a killer, is anyone safe?
A must-have for collectors of cult classics and horror enthusiasts, this definitive Blu-ray features insightful bonus content, including new interviews with Jane Seymour, Leonard Whiting, a conversation with writer Don Bachardy, new audio commentary with film historian Sam Irvin, and a new 2K scan of the original film elements. Preorder is available now at ShoutFactory.com
FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY Blu-ray
Special Features:
NEW 2K scan of the original film elements to the 2-part 3 hr. and 6 min. version including the introduction by actor James Mason
NEW Audio Commentary with filmmaker/film historian Sam Irvin
NEW Off with Her Head – an interview with actress Jane Seymour
NEW Victor’s Story – an interview with actor Leonard Whiting
NEW Frankenstein’s Diary – a conversation with writer Don Bachardy
1080p 1.33:1, Not Rated, Region A, DTS-HD Master Audio, SDH
Feature Running Time: +/- 183 Minutes
Shout! Factory will continue to present the on-going SCREAM FACTORY™ home entertainment series in 2020 with specific release dates, extras and key art. Meanwhile, fans are encouraged to visit the Scream Factory main website, follow them on Facebook and Twitter or to view exclusive video content on YouTube.
