Arrow Video and Arrow Academy’s March releases include a double-dose of hardboiled noir, Blu-ray debuts of two unmissable Japanese sci-fi oddities, a uniquely unsettling horror debut from a smart new talent, and a hair-raisingly good howl-at-the-moon Blu-ray exclusive.
For March, Arrow Academy presents Tales From the Urban Jungle: Brute Force and The Naked City, which brings together the two films which started an extraordinary streak of hits for writer, director, producer and actor Jules Dassin, one of Hollywood’s most remarkable talents. Each film is a diamond-hard classic, weathering the test of time with sharp edges intact; both films feature stark cinematography and taut writing to land an incredible one-two punch that remains impactful to this day. Sourced from new 4K restorations, and complemented by a wealth of bonus features, this Special Edition Blu-Ray™ set is both the perfect entry point for newcomers to the work of a great director and a must-have for die-hard fans of Film Noir and Jules Dassin.
Tales From the Urban Jungle: Brute Force and The Naked City
On Limited Edition Blu-ray, 29 March
In Brute Force, Burt Lancaster is Joe Collins, one of a number of convicts squeezed into cell R17 and intent on breaking out. Desperate to return to his cancer-ridden wife (Ann Blyth), and to escape the clutches of sadistic warden Captain Munsey (an unforgettable performance from Hume Cronyn) who enjoys a reign of terror over the inmates.
Meanwhile, in The Naked City, a blonde ex-model is murdered in her bathtub and detectives Muldoon (Barry Fitzgerald) and Halloran (Don Taylor) are assigned to the case. Their investigation leads them all over New York City, from Park Avenue to the Lower East Side, reaching its thrilling climax atop the Williamsburg Bridge. Inspired by the work of infamous tabloid photographer Weegee, The Naked City was the first major Hollywood production to be shot entirely on the streets of New York, making use of more than a hundred authentic locations.
Available to Pre-order now from Amazon.
The Invisible Man Appears / The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly
On Blu-ray, 15 March
In The Invisible Man Appears, written and directed by Nobuo Adachi in 1949, a scientist successfully creates an invisibility serum, only to be kidnapped by a gang of thugs who wish to use the formula to rob a priceless jewel. In addition to being the earliest surviving Japanese science fiction film ever made, the film’s entertaining special effects were an early credit for the legendary Eiji Tsuburaya, five years before he first brought Godzilla to life.
Eight years later, Mitsuo Murayama’s exciting The Invisible Man vs. The Human Fly tells the story of a series of mysterious murders where the only clue is strange buzzing noise at the scene of the crime… could this be linked to secret wartime experiments in shrinking humans to the size of insects? And can a scientist who’s just invented an invisibility ray be the one to stop it?
The Bloodhound On Blu-ray, 22 March
Francis (Liam Aiken, A Series of Unfortunate Events), a dispossessed young man, is summoned to the secluded home of his wealthy childhood friend, JP Luret (Joe Adler, The Maze Runner), who is suffering from a mysterious affliction. Upon his arrival, Francis realizes that JP and his ethereal twin sister Vivian (Annalise Basso, Ouija: Origin of Evil) are the sole surviving members of the privileged Luret family, whose legacy has been one of depression and self-destruction, and the only occupants of their family estate. As the old friends attempt to reconnect, a number of inexplicable incidents begin to occur within the house, and Francis finds himself drawn into a world of malaise and despair, where an act of betrayal might provide his only way out…
Available to Pre-order now from Amazon.
An American Werewolf in London 29 March
American tourists David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) are savaged by an unidentified vicious animal whilst hiking on the Yorkshire Moors. David awakes in a London hospital to find his friend dead and his life in disarray. Retiring to the home of a beautiful nurse (Jenny Agutter, Walkabout) to recuperate, he soon experiences disturbing changes to his mind and body, undergoing a full-moon transformation that will unleash terror on the streets of the capital…
On Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray [Zavvi Exclusive in the UK], 29 March On Limited Edition Steelbook w/ slipcase Blu-ray [Zavvi Exclusive in UK & Diabolik Exclusive in the US], 29 March
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
