Vintage Terror Double Bill

Last updated: 03/08/2006 - 14:02

Island Of Terror and The Blood Beast Terror

Classic British horror specialist DD Home Entertainment is releasing two previously unavailable Peter Cushing films on DVD. Available for the very first time on disc, The Blood Beast Terror is a Tigon British Films' classic, written by Hammer's Peter Bryan, and is very probably the only British giant killer moth movie in existence!

The first vintage terror of the two is Island Of Terror, which sees Peter Cushing in a rarely-seen Planet Films Production. Directed by the legendary Terence Fisher and now being released on DVD for the very first time it’s a chilling science-fiction thriller set on a remote island plagued by mysterious deaths. Island Of Terror sees Brian Stanley - played by Hammer studios original Van Helsing, big screen Doctor Who and small screen Winston Smith, among countless other roles, Mr. Peter Cushing - and called in to investigate .

Science-Fiction Thriller

Accompanying Cushing’s character on this investigation is another physician: David West (played by Edward Judd). Puncture marks on the corpses seemingly reveal the horrifying truth: that both the islanders and their animals are being killed not by a disease, but by a strange type of silicate organism that literally sucks the bones from their bodies! As the death toll rises, the seemingly indestructible creatures multiply at an alarming rate and threaten to spread into the world beyond.

This new, digitally-restored Collector's Edition features an exclusive film interview with Christopher Lee, in which he pays tribute to director Terence Fisher, and a 24-page booklet featuring rare stills and information about the film, once again composed by noted writer on cult film Marcus Hearn.

The second release in the same mould is the charmingly titled The Blood Beast Terror. After a series of chilling, bloody and seemingly inexplicable murders, Inspector Quennell (Peter Cushing) finds himself on the case with just one clue, the dying words of a victim: “Death's Head”. His investigations bring him to the door of the distinguished entomologist Dr Mallinger (Robert Flemyng) and his beautiful daughter Clare (played by Wanda Ventham). But he is not prepared for the depths of Mallinger's madness or his daughter's dreadful secret…

This digitally-restored Collector's Edition features the original screen ratio and extras including a specially filmed interview with co-star Wanda Ventham - in which she shares her memories of this unique film and her appearances in cult BBC series Doctor Who (notably the Tom Baker story Image of The Fendahl) and in Gerry Anderson’s (none puppet) anti-extraterrestrial agency series UFO. The pack also contains a 24-page booklet featuring rare stills and information about the film by cult film expert Marcus Hearn.

Other Peter Cushing titles already available from DD include: Frankenstein and The Monster From Hell and The Abominable Snowman. Similar cult fare from the same stable includes the likes of Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter, The Quatermass Xperiment, Quatermass II and X The Unknown.

Other forthcoming genre releases from DD Home Entertainment this year include Peter Cushing's famous appearance as George Orwell’s Winston Smith in the Rudolph Cartier mould-breaking BBC production of Nineteen Eighty Four, as well as the third and final series of Terry Nation’s epic dystopian series Survivors.

Island Of Terror and The Blood Beast Terror are available from all good DVD stockists, priced £15.99 each. The titles are also available direct from DD Home Entertainment, Unit 1, Pool Bank Business Park, High Street, Tarvin, Chester CH3 8JH; please add £1.80 towards postage and packing for one film or £2.75 for both. Credit card customers can also order copies by ringing the 24 hour DD hotline on 01829 741490.

For your chance to win both of these great British horror classics on DVD, follow this link to our Competition Zone.

Island Of Terror and The Blood Beast Terror are available now, from DD Home Entertainment on DVD only.

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