The Masque of The Red Death

Blu-ray Studiocanal Vintage Classic 2021.Excellent release and very decent quality of image and colours and sound, the blu-ray also includes a small selection of bonus items such as a very long and interesting conversation between Roger Corman and Kim Newman as well as the theatrical cut and also a discussion of the censorship applied (and sources of the prints) and also the colour use in the film. I haven't seen the film for ages and ages and it was a joy to re-watch it on blu-ray. Totally recommended

Roger Corman's masterpiece of the EA Poe films. The extras and commentaries are good.

Delayed from the original October 2020 release date, the Special Features are now a new Audio Commentary for the Restored Version by Kim Newman and Sean Hogan; Colour and Censorship in The Masque of The Red Death, a new interview with Keith Johnston; Roger Corman: In Conversation with Kim Newman at The BFI; Behind The Scenes Stills Gallery and the original Theatrical Cut of the film.Both 2.35:1 aspect ratio presentations of the film look fantastic and have optional English HoH subtitles. The Restored Cut includes information about the restoration and runs 90 minutes 58 seconds. the Theatrical Cut is 89 minutes 2 seconds.The disc is in a blue Elite case. A Slipcover, 4 Art Cards and 20 page colour booklet complete the package. Region B.

Great classic film

For some reason this loose Poe adaptation has taken far longer to arrive on blu-ray than Corman's others (House of Usher, Pit and the Pendulum etc) -- the fact that this is a Vintage Classics release rather than Arrow is doubtless connected.It was worth the wait, though, as this is the outstanding entry in that cycle -- lush, depraved, sinister and with standout performances from Price, Court and Asher. The vile prince Prospero (Price) is sitting out the plague that has decimated the country holed up in his castle surrounded by his hedonistic hangers-on, partying the nights away in sensual excess, occasionally kidnapping villagers as servants, entertainment or both. A grand masked ball is to be held and an unexpected guest will come -- the Red Death...It's s visual feast, Corman packing the sets with colour and movement in the ballroom while the flat mono-toned rooms in Prospero's rainbow suite (yellow, white, black etc) are allowed to fill the screen. Asher is good as the appalled innocent and Price is on form as the prince who has made a deal with the devil himself.The blu-ray includes a slightly extended cut of the film and some good extras on the use of colour and Corman being interviewed at the BFI, along with a pretty good commentary from the ever-reliable Kim Newman.This is a corker -- some of Corman's Poes can be ignored (I'm looking at you, Haunted Palace and Tomb of Ligeia) but this one absolutely should be in your collection

First of all, and perhaps most importantly, I must say I think this is a classic, wonderful film. Full of imagination, tension, impressive sets and costiumes, brilliant photography, and by no means least...Arguably Price's best performence? Refusing to ham it up, he personifies evil with just a hint (just) of hidden humanity. Ably supported by Hazel in a nearly there dress, and Jane Asher just bursting with purity. I can't not Mention Patrick Magee who does his usual very nasty villain performence. This BLURAY is excellent quality. Mint picture, colour and sound and good subtitles (16.9 / 2.35:1 ratio) Extras include a commentary with the ever enjoyable Kim Newman. NOW - here is where I might offend some viewers. Although this BLURAY has censored scenes inserted which have been missing from previous releases, I didn't really feel they added much to the film. A purely personal opinion of course. A great deal is made of the restoration, but if I can't truly notice much if any improvment....from... I have a perfectly wonderful DVD of the film. Excellent colour, picture, ratio, and subtitles, no extras. This from MGM DVD with the words "Horror Has A Face" on the front. I cannot find this anywhere now on Amazon, but I wrote in 2019 that it was a perfect transfer. So, unless you really want the excised scenes and the extras....think twice? NO! Go on...get this one. After all it is a very very good film and now we have the definitive version.

Watched it last night with a whisky. Brought back memories of seeing this on tv as a kid. The colour is marvellous. Seriously worth it and I haven't even watched the second DVD with all the extras on yet.

Beautiful restoration by Martin Scorsese's film foundation of Corman's best Poe adaptation. Censor cuts from UK and USA are reinstated into the film, but the short extra on the colour and censorship is rather unsatisfying.I wrote an article for Weird Fiction Review on the BBFC cuts, and their file states there were 2 separate dream sequences in the movie involving Hazel Court's character. The BBC and others maintained for years that one was removed in its entirety (an imaginary sacrifice of Court) but in fact it was in every British print I've seen since the 60s. The other one was supposed to appear when she brands herself with an inverted cross and asks the Devil to send a demon, but in all prints (including the restoration) nothing happens, and we next see her saying how difficult her experience had been.Since the restoration involved UK and USA prints and the original negative...where did it go? I've asked the film foundation their views...In the meantime do buy this superb version of a classic.