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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. In 18th-century Italy, seminary student Giacomo abandons his religious pursuits after it comes to light that he's impregnated a young weaver and compelled her to undergo an abortion. Meeting a mysterious woman, he is promised sanctuary in exchange for an unusual task: journeying deep into the mountains to serve as the assistant to an ailing priest dubbed “the Arcane Sorcerer,” who has been sent into exile due to his unorthodox research into esoterica and the mysteries of death. Reaching the sorcerer’s isolated villa packed with obscure books, Giacomo soon after learns that the previous assistant, Nerio, was rumored to have made a pact with the devil before his passing, and may have discovered a way to transcend death itself. Unrelenting whispers fill the night air and ghostly apparitions haunt the ancient hallways, as Giacomo cannot resist drawing ever closer to the horrifying truth. A magnificently crafted spiritual horror film drenched in atmosphere and permeated with an acute sense of mounting dread, Pupi Avati’s (The House with Laughing Windows, Zeder) ARCANE SORCERER (L'arcano incantatore) has long been championed by legendary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth), and hailed by director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) as “the Barry Lyndon of horror films.” Starring Carlo Checchi (Stealing Beauty), Stefano Dionisi (Sleepless), Vittorio Duse (Mad Dog Killer), and Patrizia Sacchi (Sister Emanuelle), this visually rich film is accompanied by a classically lush score from famed composer Pino Donaggio (Carrie, Nothing Underneath). Vinegar Syndrome is delighted to conjure up ARCANE SORCERER for its long-overdue UHD debut, immaculately reanimated in 4K from its original camera negative and loaded with a treasure trove of brand new bonus features. Bonus Features: 1. 2-disc Set: 4K Ultra HD / Region Free Blu-ray 2. 4K UHD presented in Dolby Vision High-Dynamic-Range 3. Newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative 4. Commentary track with film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson 5. "Pupi’s Pride and Joy" (12 min) - an interview with writer/director Pupi Avati 6. "The Sorcerer Reawakened" (10 min) - an interview with producer Antonio Avati 7. "Two Restless Souls" (13 min) - an interview with actor Stefano Dionisi 8. "Sinful Yet Ethereal" (15 min) - an interview with actress Eliana Miglio 9. "Under Pupi’s Spell" (23 min) - an interview with cinematographer Cesare Bastelli 10. "The Tailor of Suspense" (21 min) - an interview with composer Pino Donaggio 11. "Pupi’s Pen Friend" (16 min) - an interview with novelist Alda Teodorani 12. "Hush... Hush, Sweet Pupi" (21 min) - an interview with Pupi Avati expert and collaborator Mark Thompson Ashworth 13. "A Sorcerer Named Pino" (22 min) - an interview with film music historian Pierpaolo De Sanctis 14. "Of Pupi and Politics" (42 min) - an interview with film historian Eugenio Ercolani 15. 40-page perfect-bound book (limited edition only) with writing by Steven Thrower, Zach Fleming, and Z.W. Lewis 16. Reversible cover artwork 17. Newly translated English subtitles Top Similar From the Brand Questions Reviews Arcane Sorcerer [4K UHD + Blu-ray Set] Arcane Sorcerer 4K UHD Set

Description

Often counted among the greatest gialli ever made, The House with Laughing Windows offers a uniquely eerie twist on the genre. While typically famed for its lurid Technicolor hues and grand guignol murders, the Italian giallo thriller had a less bombastic side as well. Erring less towards exploitation than to art, these lesser-seen gems offer some of the greatest rewards for adventurous viewers. Among them, 1976's The House with Laughing Windows, directed and co-written by Pupi Avati (Zeder), rises up as the cream of the crop. Art restorer Stefano (Lino Capolicchio, The Bloodstained Shadow) arrives at an isolated Italian village to repair a fresco depicting the agonizing martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The original painter was a death artist - a madman so obsessed with mortality that, according to whispered rumors, he tortured his models in their final moments of life. When people begin to turn up dead, Stefano is forced to consider the possibility that the artist has returned to continue his brutal career - and that he is the primary target. Often counted among the greatest gialli ever made, The House with Laughing Windows offers a uniquely eerie twist on the genre, culminating in an unforgettable ending that will remain with you long after the credits have rolled. Arrow Video is proud to present this landmark title in a gorgeous 4K restoration. Bonus Materials SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY CONTENTS 4K restoration from the original camera negative, graded by Arrow Films High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation Restored original lossless mono Italian soundtrack Newly translated optional English subtitles Audio commentary by critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson Audio commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth Painted Screams, a feature-length documentary on the film directed by Federico Caddeo, featuring interviews with co-writer/director Pupi Avati, co-writer Antonio Avati, assistant director Cesare Bastelli, actors Lino Capolicchio, Fancesca Marciano, Giulio La Casa e Sola, a visual essay by critic Chris Alexander The Art of Suffering, a visual essay by critic Kat Ellinger Italian theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain Cast & Crew Actors: Lino Capolicchio Francesca Marciano Gianni Cavina Giulio Pizzirani Bob Tonelli Vanna Busoni Pietro Brambilla Ferdinando Orlandi Andrea Matteuzzi Flavia Giorgi Ines Ciaschetti Director: Pupi Avati

Description

Often counted among the greatest gialli ever made, The House with Laughing Windows offers a uniquely eerie twist on the genre. While typically famed for its lurid Technicolor hues and grand guignol murders, the Italian giallo thriller had a less bombastic side as well. Erring less towards exploitation than to art, these lesser-seen gems offer some of the greatest rewards for adventurous viewers. Among them, 1976's The House with Laughing Windows, directed and co-written by Pupi Avati (Zeder), rises up as the cream of the crop. Art restorer Stefano (Lino Capolicchio, The Bloodstained Shadow) arrives at an isolated Italian village to repair a fresco depicting the agonizing martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The original painter was a death artist - a madman so obsessed with mortality that, according to whispered rumors, he tortured his models in their final moments of life. When people begin to turn up dead, Stefano is forced to consider the possibility that the artist has returned to continue his brutal career - and that he is the primary target. Often counted among the greatest gialli ever made, The House with Laughing Windows offers a uniquely eerie twist on the genre, culminating in an unforgettable ending that will remain with you long after the credits have rolled. Arrow Video is proud to present this landmark title in its North American 4K Ultra HD debut. Bonus Materials 4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS 4K restoration from the original camera negative, graded by Arrow Films 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in HDR10 Restored original lossless mono Italian soundtrack Newly translated optional English subtitles Brand new audio commentary by critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson Brand new audio commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth Painted Screams, a brand new feature-length documentary on the film directed by Federico Caddeo, featuring interviews with co-writer/director Pupi Avati, co-writer Antonio Avati, assistant director Cesare Bastelli, actors Lino Capolicchio, Fancesca Marcia La Casa e Sola, a brand new visual essay by critic Chris Alexander The Art of Suffering, a brand new visual essay by critic Kat Ellinger Italian theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain Illustrated perfect bound collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Matt Rogerson, Willow Maclay, Alexia Kannas, Anton Bitel, and Stefano Baschiera Cast & Crew Actors: Lino Capolicchio Francesca Marciano Gianni Cavina Giulio Pizzirani Bob Tonelli Vanna Busoni Pietro Brambilla Ferdinando Orlandi Andrea Matteuzzi Flavia Giorgi Ines Ciaschetti Director: Pupi Avati