7/10
Sexy murder with Arrow Restoration in the American Tradition
18 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is a favorite of mine having already owned the bleak DVD, and also having had the pleasure to enjoy it on VHS and 35mm. I didn't love The Witch Who Came From the Sea on my first viewing. I was examining this movie as part of a larger project during a discovery of the Video Nasties. Curious that the AHP focuses in on a movie that helped to create such controversy in the UK, the homeland of Arrow Video. What struck me upon my first watch was that it really didn't deserve the censors mean spirited axe. This was a movie that focused on a disturbed woman who killed based on some strange goings on in her childhood. Her mind seemed to create an alternate persona to handle this trauma and in turn, a killing machine. My understanding of the Video Recording Act of 1984 is that any time you see blood and nudity in the same scene, you're getting some kind of ban.

Though the violence in The Witch Who Came From the Sea isn't exactly overboard there is plenty of it with that bright red, Crayola blood. It seems to always come in conjunction with debauched sexual moments further stimulating the viewer and creating some rather uncomfortable moments. Even in its lack of gratuity it has the power to disturb, and that's what I came to love about it upon my subsequent viewing especially with a large crowd of unsuspecting theater goers.

This release is a handsome transfer especially in comparison to the previous DVD release. I've always thought that this particular movie looked washed out. The print is solid with minimal damage and the black look uncrushed, colors (especially that blood red) appear vibrant. It's definitely an uptick from all other formats, even the rather marred print I saw projected.

The release comes with an interview/making of featurette that has Dean Cundey, director Michael Cimber and star Millie Perkins among others. Perkins goes through the aftermath of making a film with such objectionable material and is very candid. It's lovely to see Cundey discuss anything (perhaps you remember him as the DOP on John Carpenter's films among other classics?). Michael Cimber walks you through some of the back story behind the production including the origins of the story and the evolution of the picture.

Don't forget to get your mermaid tattoos on your abdomens!
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