Treasured Films Is Digging Up the Dead… And We’re Loving It
These days there seems to be hundreds of companies, both big and small, trading in obscure, nearly forgotten Blu-ray releases.
One such company that is destined to make huge blood red waves in the collecting ocean is Treasured Films. They are based in the UK, run by some genuine enthusiastic lunatics, and about to host their own horror convention in a few weeks (Weird Worcester — my Partner in Gore, Willow, and I will be in attendance). Their already released films and those due for release are nifty gems from the video era or worthy nasties, spruced up by awesome covers, accompanied sometimes by in depth booklets, cards, and brimming with loads of extras.
Take Mausoleum, which I reviewed back in 2013 off an old ex-rental VHS (read review here). We have now just watched the Treasured Films edition and they’ve wisely gone the slightly grainy vintage look (cig burns included) but this is fully uncut! I watched this one as a kid when it first came out, then again for the review, but did not imagine the amount of dripping gore that had been removed! Does it improve the film? No! It’s shit! However, it’s that nostalgic watchable rubbishy trash we all adore. The lighting, sets, and effects are bloody brilliant. The acting, story, and ending? Yeah, well… Now we can see the wires connected to the guy whose head explodes, we can see the wires holding a levitating aunty, because this is what we need to see. I love it!
Speaking of the ending (no spoilers) but the commentary tracks are hilarious. Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw have a right good chuckle, whilst star, Bobbie Bresee, and Lee Christian attempt in vain to muster some interesting theories like it’s the conclusion to Fulci’s epic, City of the Living Dead.
Meanwhile, we also have the infamous (to those in the know on the underground) Reality Killers that is out sporting a couple of alternative slip sleeves. I bought this one along with a few others from them at a recent horror convention and was not disappointed. Gory, eerie, graphic, brutal, at times a bit silly, this one is like a slightly more mellow variation of August Underground that hits you where you don’t expect it to.
Dawn of the Mummy, Stuart Gordon’s King of the Ants, The Island, and The Last Hunter (one of my top 20 favs) all sit proudly on the website. Reality Killers isn’t on there though. I’ve popped the link below.
They have a few upcoming pre-orders as well, including Nomads, The Last Shark, and Mikey (including posters and magnets).
Worth noting that if you attend any UK horror conventions and see the Treasured Films table, they also sell collectable toys, and loads of Blu-rays courtesy of Massacre Video, Blue Underground, and so many more.
Here’s a link to their store: treasuredfilms.co.uk
Reality Killers link: filmtreasures.co.uk/reality-killers-le-blu-ray-w-slip
