Revered horror/exploitation auteur Jess Franco left us last month (you can read our tribute to him here), but his legacy is being preserved thanks to some excellent video releases of his many genre creations – the latest being new Blu-rays of three Franco classics via Kino Lorber and Redemption Films: The Awful Dr. Orlof, A Virgin Among the Living Dead and Nightmares Come at Night will be released in deluxe editions this August, all mastered from archive materials from Eurociné Paris.
The deluxe edition of Franco's 1962 landmark The Awful Dr. Orlof is newly mastered in HD, taken from the original uncut French-language version. It will also feature one of the last videotaped interviews with the director, a new commentary track by Tim Lucas (founder/editor of magazine Video Watchdog), as well as newly-filmed remembrances by Franco's friends and collaborators.
The new disc of 1970's Nightmares Come at Night, starring the lovely Soledad Miranda, will also feature Tim Lucas's commentary, a video tribute, and a third mini-documentary to be announced.
Rounding out the trio is the 1973 oddity A Virgin Among the Living Dead, available in Franco's original cut (titled Christina, Princess of Eroticism), and the more widely-available version (with zombie footage directed by French horror auteur Jean Rollin), as well as a deleted orgy scene shot for a third version of the film. Extras include "Mysterious Dreams," one of the last videotaped interviews with Franco and a third collection of tributes by the director's friends and collaborators.
Redemption has more Franco Blu-rays in the works for 2014, so stay tuned!