While Wes Craven (Scream) is thought of as a horror director, he also made a comic book movie. Swamp Thing has been a cult hit since it was released back in 1982. The movie is about a scientist whose research is used against him. He’s turned into a swampy creature who must fight back. The film was extremely popular in the VHS era and now the movie is ready for 4K UHD. The most exciting part of the release is the Unrated International Cut is finally coming to North America. You can go beyond the PG cut. The movie is being released in both a 4K UHD and Blu-ray set and a solo Blu-ray release. Both feature the two versions. Here’s the press release from MVD Entertainment with all the details:
MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP PROUDLY ANNOUNCES
WES CRAVEN’S 1982 DC COMIC SUPERHERO FILM
SWAMP THING
COMPLETELY RESTORED AND REMASTERED
MAKING ITS PREMIERE ON 4K ULTRA HD & BLU-RAY FORMATS
MVD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE SWAMP THING,
LICENSED FROM MGM, FOR RE-RELEASE IN NORTH AMERICA ON BOTH
4K ULTRA HD AND BLU-RAY FORMATS ON JULY 25, 2023
THE RELEASE INCLUDES BOTH THE ORIGINAL PG-RATED THEATRICAL CUT, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA,
THE UNRATED INTERNATIONAL CUT
Swamp Thing is an American superhero horror film written and directed by Wes Craven (A Nightmare On Elm Street, Scream), based on the DC Comics character of the same name created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. It tells the story of a brilliant scientist, Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise, Robocop) and a government agent, Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau, John Carpenter’s The Fog) who have developed a secret formula that could end world hunger and change civilization forever. Little do they know, however, that their arch nemesis, Arcane (Louis Jourdan, Octopussy) is plotting to steal the serum for his own selfish schemes. Looting the lab and kidnapping Cable, Arcane douses Holland with the chemicals and leaves him for dead in the swamp. Mutated by his own formula, Holland becomes “Swamp Thing” – a half human/half plant superhero who will stop at nothing to rescue the beautiful Cable and defeat the evil Arcane…even if it costs him his life.
Released theatrically in 1982 and featuring a supporting cast that includes David Hess (The Last House on the Left), Nicholas Worth (Barb Wire) and Dick Durock as “Swamp Thing” (who reprised the role in the 1989 sequel The Return of Swamp Thing and the 1990 – 1993 “Swamp Thing: The Series”), SWAMP THING became a cult hit upon its release on home video back in the 1980’s and its countless airings on cable television in the 80’s and 90’s. Critic Roger Ebert loved the film, giving it three out of four stars saying, “Swamp Thing had already won my heart before its moment of greatness, but when that moment came, I knew I’d discovered another one of those movies that fall somewhere between buried treasures and guilty pleasures.”
DISC 1 – 4K ULTRA HD SPECIAL FEATURES:
• 2023 4K Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of both the US Theatrical PG Version and Unrated International Version of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in Dolby Vision / HDR
• Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, Spanish Mono
• Optional English Subtitles
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Wes Craven moderated by Sean Clark (Theatrical / PG Version)
• Audio Commentary with Makeup Effects Artist William Munns moderated by Michael Felsher (Theatrical / PG Version)
• Collectible “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster of cover art
• Limited Edition Slipcover (First Pressing Only)
DISC 2 – BLU-RAY – SPECIAL FEATURES:
• 2023 HD Restoration of both the US Theatrical PG Version and Unrated International Version of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
• Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Wes Craven moderated by Sean Clark (Theatrical / PG Version)
• Audio Commentary with Makeup Effects Artist William Munns moderated by Michael Felsher (Theatrical / PG Version)
• DTS-HD Audio 2.0 Mono, Spanish Mono Audio
• Optional English Subtitles
• “Tales From the Swamp” (Remastered) with Actress Adrienne Barbeau (HD, 16:56)
• “Hey Jude” with Actor Reggie Batts (HD, 14:30)
• “That Swamp Thing” with Len Wein, Creator of Swamp Thing (HD, 13:19)
• “Swamp Screen: Designing DC’s Main Monster” featurette (HD, 20:32)
• “From Krug to Comics: How the Mainstream Shaped a Radical Genre Voice” featurette (HD, 17:34)
• Posters & Lobby Cards – Photo Gallery
• Photos from the Film – Photo Gallery
• William Munns’ Behind the Scenes Pictures – Photo Gallery
• Behind the Scenes Photos by Geoffrey Rayle – Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:31)
