Dario Argento’s Phenomena arrives on 4K UHD in March

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Dario Argento’s Phenomena is about to look creepier on your screen with the 4K UHD version arriving in March. Jennifer Connelly (Waking The Dead) is a telekinetic teen who has to deal with Donald Pleasence (Halloween). The film was released as Creepers with over 30 minutes slashed away by the American distributor back in the mid-80s. The new upcoming edition will give you a choice of the original Italian version, the slightly shorter international cut and the severally truncated Creepers cut. Here’s the press release from Synapse Films with bonus features details:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Synapse Films Unleashes Phenomena on 4K Ultra HD in a 2-disc set! 

Horror Master Dario Argento’s Phenomena
– the ‘80s Supernatural Creepy Horror Classic – arrives on 4K UHD loaded with Bonus Features    

On March 14th, Synapse Films unleashes Phenomena on UHD, including all three versions of the film newly restored in 4K with Dolby Vision.    

Jennifer Corvino (Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly) is sent to a Swiss boarding school by her famous actor father. The sleepwalking teen – who also is a telekinetic with the power to commune with bugs – embroils herself in a series of vicious murders. Jennifer begins to unravel the mystery of the killings with the help of an entomologist, Dr. McGregor (Donald Pleasence) and his chimpanzee Inga. 

The soundtrack features music from Goblin, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Andi Sex GangBill Wyman and Simon Boswell

Phenomena is Dario Argento at his very hypnotic and nightmarish best.    

The two-disc set includes the original Italian version (116 mins), the International cut (110 mins), and the U.S. “Creepers” cut (83 mins), featuring multiple audio/language options (with subtitles) in Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio.    

Special features include two commentary tracks, one by film historian Troy Howarth on the Italian version, the other by Argento scholar Derek Botelho and film historian David Del Valle on the International version; Of Flies and Maggots – a feature-length documentary about the making of the film; a visual essay by Michael Mackenzie comparing the different cuts of Phenomena; Jennifer music video – directed by Argento; theatrical trailers; radio spots; slipcover artwork from Nick Charge; and a reversible cover with the original Italian Phenomena art.   

Phenomena (2-Disc Special Edition) [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray]

Dario Argento’s classic gory murder mystery “Phenomena” now comes to the 4K UHD format in Dolby Vision from Synapse Films!

Phenomena (2-Disc Special Edition) [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray]

From Italian master of the macabre Dario Argento (Suspiria, Tenebrae), comes Phenomena – one of his most beautifully designed horror films – now remastered in 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision in a two-disc set! The young Jennifer Corvino, played by Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly (Labyrinth, Top Gun: Maverick), is sent to a private Swiss academy for girls where a vicious killer is on the loose. Jennifer has the unique ability to telepathically communicate with insects and an entomologist, Dr. John McGregor (Donald Pleasence, Halloween, Escape from New York), enlists her help in locating the murderer. As the mystery unfolds, they find themselves in a bizarre murder plot with maggots, telepathic insects and a razor-wielding chimpanzee! Can Jennifer uncover the killer’s identity before becoming a victim herself? Phenomena features a fantastic soundtrack from progressive-rock gods Goblin, British heavy metal masters Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Andi Sex Gang, Bill Wyman and Simon Boswell. Dalila Di Lazarro (Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein), Daria Nicolodi (Tenebrae), Patrick Bauchau (Clear and Present Danger) and Fiore Argento (Demons) also star in this truly unique, gory and unsettling thriller.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

  • 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray™ presentations in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
  • New 4K restorations of all three versions of Phenomena, including the original Italian version (116 mins.), the International cut (110 mins.), and the U.S. “Creepers” cut (83 mins.)
  • Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo soundtracks on the international version, derived from the original 4-channel Dolby Stereo elements
  • Rare alternate DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix on the international version, featuring different sound effects and music cues
  • Lossless Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo soundtracks, derived from the original 4-channel Dolby Stereo elements
  • Lossless English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 mono and 2.0 ‘stereo music version’ soundtrack on Creepers, mastered from the original 3 track DME magnetic mix
  • Lossless “hybrid” English/Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the hybrid soundtrack
  • U.S. theatrical trailer and radio spots for ‘Creepers’
  • Original Italian and international theatrical trailers
  • Audio commentary by Troy Howarth, author of Murder by Design: The Unsane Cinema of Dario Argento (on Italian Version)
  • Audio commentary on the international version by Argento scholar and author Derek Botelho and film historian, journalist and radio/television commentator David Del Valle
  • Of Flies and Maggots, a feature-length 2017 documentary produced by Arrow Films, including interviews with co-writer/producer/director Dario Argento, actors Fiore Argento, Davide Marotta, Daria Nicolodi and others…
  • The Three Sarcophagi, a visual essay by Arrow Films producer Michael Mackenzie comparing the different cuts of Phenomena
  • “Jennifer” music video, directed by Dario Argento
  • Slipcover/o-card with beautiful artwork from artist Nick Charge
  • Reversible cover with original Italian PHENOMENA art
Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.