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*This listing is for the standard edition version and does NOT come with a limited edition slipcase!* Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. Young, attractive American music student Susan Roberts arrives at the sprawling French countryside villa of the late, renowned composer Henry Ryman, on whom she is writing her thesis. She’s warmly welcomed by his widow Danielle, who lives there alongside her wheelchair-bound son Georges, snarky maid Lilliane, and stern butler Carter. As her stay progresses, things take on a sinister tone: late at night, the deceased composer's music fills the air, played by an unseen pianist, and Danielle seems oddly intent on Susan wearing the clothes of Georges’ former girlfriend Catherine, with whom the student bears a striking resemblance. As the mysteries mount, Susan is torn between her growing attachment to Georges and the looming realization that this eccentric household harbors dark secrets—secrets that may threaten her very life. Hailing from Britain’s legendary Hammer Film Productions and emerging during the tail end of the company’s golden age, 1970’s CRESCENDO - directed by Alan Gibson, who would go on to helm Dracula A.D. 1972 and The Satanic Rites of Dracula - is a gripping, slow-burn psychological thriller brimming with sexual energy and culminating in a shocking, fever-pitch climax befitting its title. Co-written by Jimmy Sangster (The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula) and Alfred Shaughnessy (The Flesh and Blood Show), it stars Stefanie Powers (Fanatic), Jane Lapotaire (The Asphyx), James Olson (The Andromeda Strain), and Joss Ackland (Penny Gold). Vinegar Syndrome is thrilled to orchestrate the release of this underseen Hammer outing, newly restored for its Blu-ray world premiere and accompanied by a symphony of brand new bonus features. Bonus Features: 1. Region A Blu-ray 2. Newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive 3. Commentary track with film historians Vic Pratt and William Fowler 4. Coda (13 min) - a featurette on the making of Crescendo with clapper loader Mike Brewster and production manager Hugh Harlow 5. Starting Out (14 min) - an interview with assistant sound editor Geoffrey Mackrill 6. Hammer Time (23 min) - an interview with broadcaster and author Matthew Sweet 7. Notes on a Theme (32 min) - an interview with author and film historian David Huckvale 8. Still gallery 9. Trailer 10. Reversible cover artwork 11. English SDH captions

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London’s become a small town for a handful of jaded psychedelic-era hipsters. But Johnny Alucard has a groovy new way for his pals to get their kicks. A certain ritual will be the living end, he insists. And if you still wonder where Johnny’s coming from, try spelling his last name backwards. Dracula is raised into the modern era in this Hammer Studios shocker that’s “quite well done” (John Stanley, Creature Features). Christopher Lee dons the cape for the sixth time and seeks out fresh victims. As archnemesis Van Helsing, fellow horror legend Peter Cushing clutches a vial of holy water and edges within throwing distance. Their harrowing battle royale is not to be missed. In fact, it’s the living end.

Description

A dying man’s report of a ritual black mass stirs Britain’s security chief into action, and a mansion filled with young vampire girls is soon discovered. And this is but the first twist in a labyrinth of horror. Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee pair up for the final Hammer Dracula in this follow-up to Dracula A.D. 1972. In this go-round, the Count (Christopher Lee, naturally) follows a more pulpish, super-villainous playbook, posing as a millionaire industrialist alive and well and living in London while secretly brewing up a batch of super-plague in a quest to destroy the world. Mixing Satanists, spies and sci-fi, the film makes viewers glad that Peter Cushing is on hand to solidly anchor the more outré elements as the effortlessly expositioning Dr. Van Helsing. Lee, in turn, has more dialogue as Dracula than was the norm, and rachets up the evil to the nth degree. Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) costars. Also known as Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride.